This veteran is concerned about supporting someone who would trash the Constitution | Opinion

Constitution

As a veteran of the United States Army, I am deeply concerned about the recent actions of those who have openly supported an individual who wants to terminate the Constitution. This is a clear violation of the oath that I, and many others, have taken as veterans. It is an act of treason against the very document that defines our nation and our rights as citizens. As a veteran, I believe it is our duty to defend the Constitution at all costs.

I believe that it is impossible to fly the flag of the United States in support of that individual. The flag is a symbol of our Constitution and the values that it represents. To fly it in support of someone who wants to destroy that Constitution would be a betrayal of everything that our flag stands for and the sacrifices that so many veterans have made to defend it. I urge all of my fellow citizens, especially my fellow veterans, to think carefully about the implications of supporting individuals who want to terminate the Constitution. Let us all stand together in defense of the Constitution and the principles that it embodies.

Bruce C. Anderson, Kuna

LGBTQ youth

There is no question that 2022 was a year full of controversial moments, one of which stands out among the rest is the committee’s decision on House Bill 675. With the legislative session opening in January, it is crucial that the public be educated on what exactly this bill is fighting for. At first glance HB675 is a bill preventing genital mutilation on Idaho youth and it is no surprise that with a title like that the committee would unanimously vote in favor of it.

The hidden truth behind HB675 is that it is a violation of human rights specifically targeting the most discriminated against communities in our nation, the LGBTQ community. As a social work student and volunteer victim advocate for foster youth, protecting our children is my main priority. HB675 discredits our highly educated physicians and places the decisions impacting the well-being of our children into the hands of politicians. LGBTQ youth are among the highest population when discussing suicidality. I encourage every parent to ask themselves if they would rather their children receive safe gender-affirming care from a highly educated physician, or risk losing them forever.

Craig Petersen, Meridian

Luna opinion

In Tom Luna’s Opinion published Dec. 12, 2022, the former chairman of the Idaho Republican Party proudly reminds readers: “...as chairman of Republican Party (I) delivered Trump Idaho’s delegates on a silver platter when he ran for re-election.”

Great work, Mr. Luna. Given Idaho politics, that must have been a tough job and it deserves recognition.

So because of this feat, I am adding Mr. Luna’s achievement to a list of accomplishments in world history:

Day for following night.

Oil for separating itself from water.

Leaves for falling.

Shade for forming shapes on the ground.

Falling apples for demonstrating gravitational pull.

People for growing older each day they live.

Sol for being a note that follows Fa.

Numbers for getting larger when you keep counting.

Beyond Mr. Luna’s contortionist back-patting, the crux of his opinion was his rejection of Trump as a candidate for president in 2024. Which reminds me of one more Luna accomplishment: Closing the barn door when the horse has already left.

Timothy Rosandick, Caldwell

Brittney Griner

While I no longer have even a modicum of respect for any politician, from either party, the current administration has reached a new low.

Exchanging an amoral, psychopathic weapons merchant for an idiotic jock is reaching new heights of stupidity!

Viktor Bout is responsible for the deaths of millions worldwide, including Americans, throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s. He was the subject of a worldwide hunt before being arrested and later convicted.

While I hate to see any American in a Russian Gulag, Brittney Griner, is guilty of gross stupidity in thinking she could carry Marijuana in any form into a Communist country. In doing so she subjected herself to the laws of that country and while we do not agree with that system of jurisprudence, it’s theirs, not ours and by going to that country, travelers agree to submit to it.!

I have not even mentioned the administration’s abandonment of Paul Whelan, whom they say “they have not forgotten”, but clearly their actions demonstrate otherwise.

This is nothing more than a political stunt by members of an administration who in the past traded five Taliban terrorist leaders for the deserter Bowe Bergdahl! Shameful!

Gregory Stock, Meridian

Thank you

After 14 years in the Idaho Legislature, I decided not to run for reelection, and my term as District 16’s senator ended on Nov. 30. I wish to thank the people of District 16, including my election opponents, who I found to be thoughtful, respectful and willing to work across party lines. I will be forever grateful to you for your positive impact on our politics.

Grant Burgoyne, Boise

Wake Island

The Statesman recently ran some articles about the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Recognizing that critical event in our history is appropriate and well-placed every Dec. 7.

However, the glaring omission is leaving out any mention of the attack on Wake Island. Wake was attacked on the same morning as Pearl, although since it’s across the International Date Line, it was Dec. 8 here in the States. Many of the civilians who were endangered and captured there, through connections with Morrison-Knudsen, were local boys. Many of them volunteered to help the vastly outnumbered Marines defend the island and hold out against daily attacks for nearly three weeks. Those that lived spent nearly four years in captivity, much of that time spent in slave labor. Most of the locals returned and lived out their lives here. Some were quite influential citizens.

In 1981, quite a few were finally given credit for military service due to their efforts 40 years earlier. This is an important part of Idaho history. Their stories and the impact they had deserves remembering. It’s been quite some time since the Statesman told about these civilians from Idaho who made such sacrifices during World War II.

Curtis Stoddard, Eagle