Looks like an extremist and quacks like an extremist? Then it’s probably an extremist | Opinion

Extremists

Recently in the opinion section of the Idaho Statesman, a writer stated that Sen. Tammy Nichols thinks calling extremists “extremists” is name-calling. Well, as my granddaddy said, “If it quacks like a duck, walks like a duck and looks like a duck by god it’s probably a duck!”

The extremists controlling Idaho are responsible for every debacle currently occurring.

We are led by a minority of a minority. Trying to penalize teachers and librarians over what people can read, the denial of sovereignty of a woman over her own body, the denial of self- determination of our LBGT+ community, the elimination of reality in history lessons and books, and so on.

The West Bonner County school board kerfuffle was an attempt to destroy public education for the benefit of the extremists’ own beliefs and agenda. Fortunately, the voters came out to stop that takeover.

We are seeing the results of decades of extremist machinations that want nothing less than to destroy the functioning of democracy

We are seeing the results of ignorance, apathy and non-involvement in the most critically important aspect of being an American citizen – voting.

If you fail to vote, or worse yet vote strictly on a party label, you are a failure as a citizen of this country.

Voting is a sacred trust granted to us by our Constitution. Failure to participate or blindly follow a party is a betrayal of that trust. Voting requires diligently examining the candidates and issues before you enter the polls.

Only informed voters can maintain democracy.

Gil Beyer, Sandpoint

Plato

Plato’s statements about politics and ancient Greek democracy are legendary. His words are as profound today as they were over 2,400 years ago.

1. We should not honor men more than truth.
2. Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.
3. The worst of all deception is self deception.
4. Good people don’t need laws to tell them how to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.
5. The measure of any politician is what he does with power.
6. Only those who don’t seek power are qualified to hold it.
7. Access to political power must be confined to those who are not in love with it.
8. People too honest to get involved in politics are doomed to live in societies run by people who aren’t honest.
9. One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you will be governed by your inferiors.
10. He who wishes to serve his country must not only have the power to think, but the will to vote.

Plato’s words still demonstrate how democracy must be a full participation endeavor by all voters to keep our country free of tyranny. Vote.

Steven Shake, Caldwell

Tokitae

Bob Kustra’s moving plea for a more caring way for us to treat and interact with members of other species in the wake of Tokitae’s (Lolita’s) tragic death is admirable. The sadness of her death lies in her inability to free herself from the horrific conditions she was forced to live in, and our failure as a species to come to her aid. The continuing tragedy is that there are billions of other sweet, docile beings suffering a similar fate in every industry that exploits and profits from the enslavement and mistreatment of other beings. Protective laws are helpful, but unless we stop giving our dollars to the meat industry, the animal entertainment industry and the fur industry, the torturous conditions and immense suffering will continue.

Jacqueline Raven, New York

Biden

The letter to the editor titled “Biden,” written by Jerry Johnson must have come from the Twilight Zone.

Mr. Biden, upon taking office, took a number of steps adverse to the fossil fuel industry. So, now we are paying $1.40/$1.50 per gallon more plus downstream inflationary effects.

America is based on capitalism, not government control. Numerous legal challenges have been lobbied against corporations for price gouging, but to my knowledge, not many have succeeded.

Mr. Trump is the most investigated person on the planet. The Mueller investigation, two weak impeachment efforts, several AGs lobbying miscellaneous charges, etc. So millions upon millions of taxpayer money were spent on cornering Mr. Trump but so far minor results.

The immigration laws haven’t changed in years, so both Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden have had the same legal framework. Under Mr. Trump, all-time record lows were achieved in illegal crossings. Under Mr. Biden, all-time record highs were achieved. So now, big mess everywhere.

And we don’t hate Mr. Biden, just his policies that don’t work.

John Nerison, Boise

Rajbhandari

On Wednesday, the press reported that the Boise School District has failed to establish a student position on the board and that Shiva Rajbhandari will serve the full length of his term virtually from North Carolina. As a volunteer on Rajbhandari’s campaign and a recent graduate of Boise High, I am extremely disappointed by the school board’s blatant disregard for the will of Boise voters.

Campaigning his role as a Boise student, Rajbhandari defeated Steve Schmidt, a trustee whom the board hand-selected, by a 13-point margin. The board’s refusal to take a step towards student representation that hundreds of school boards across the country have already taken by creating a non-voting student position board is an insult to the 10,000 voters who elected him as well as every student under 18 in Boise.

In Trustee Dave Wagers’ response, he stated that “there’s no substitute for being in the classroom.” Wagers is right. Before Rajbhandari, not a single school board member had been in a Boise School District classroom in decades. Now, our district is once again in a position where the key decision-makers are not directly involved in our schools. Students will lose out as a result.

Bridget Gibson, Boise

Air show

To all of the people who complained about the noise from the airplanes during the air show at Gowen Field: This has been a part of Boise for years and has been enjoyed by the community and the Veterans Hospital. If the noise is bothering you perhaps you should move away from the airport, or maybe out of Idaho.

Chuck Ropelato, Boise