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What will war cost?
Now that President Bone Spurs, with his concepts of a plan, has loosed the dogs of war we can all wait for the unintended consequences sure to follow.
How much will this end up costing us in blood and money? Operation Epic Fury should really be called Operation Trump-Epstein Files Distraction. Stay tuned.
Steve Bennett Newport
Priest River Community Garden kickoff March 24
With such an early spring, the Priest River Community Garden is thawed and ready to till in preparation for this summer’s gardening season. Therefore, we will be having our annual Garden Kick-off Meeting on March 24, 5:30 p.m. at the Priest River Library. This will be your opportunity to meet the other gardeners and reserve the plot you want for the summer.
Cost of plots are for the season: $15 for a 3x18 foot plot; $20 for a 4x18 foot plot, and $30 for a 6x18 foot plot. The PR Community Garden is an organically grown garden. We have tools and manure available on site. If cost is a limiting factor, we are willing to accommodate you.
For more information, ask at God’s Provision Thrift Shop; 544 Hwy 57 (garden is behind the store), or call Susan at 208-610-1719 or Anne at 208-448-2601.
Anne Wilder Chamberlain Priest River
Who really is deranged?
Much has been made about “DTS” (deranged Trump syndrome) to criticize Americans who correctly oppose Trump. I would flip this definition to argue the syndrome more correctly applies to those MAGA neanderthals who without question support the liar in chief regardless of what he says or does. A review of his reckless and unlawful actions just in the last two months leaves most people wondering what is wrong with this man.
I am proud to be called deranged for my opposition to the murder of unarmed Americans in Minnesota and other brutal, unlawful actions unconstitutionally carried out across the county by Trump’s fascist ICE thugs. Feel free to call me deranged for opposing the takeover of Venezuela to steal their oil, and the insane threats to invade Greenland and Canada for God knows why, or his attack on Iran, a nuclear power, for unclear reasons. The centerpiece of his economic policy, tariffs, was recently ruled unconstitutional by his Supreme Court. Inflation and unemployment are both up and the stock market is off 3,000 points in two weeks.
Based on these recent actions, who do you think is deranged-those individuals who believe in the rule of law and the constitution or those who continue to support King Donald the First?
Greg Hicks Spokane
Operation ‘Distract Us from Epstein’
At this point I think everyone realizes that the US attacks on the Middle East are yet another distraction from the fact that a huge chunk of the people in power in this country, politicians and billionaires alike, are predators of children. Trump keeps trying to distract us from the Epstein files to protect himself and his rich buddies. Now we’re indiscriminately bombing schools and civilians. The platitudes from our leadership mean nothing. The silence from our Representative speaks volumes. I saw an and for Baumgartner on Instagram today in his Trump uniform suit - he cares enough to advertise for re-election, but doesn’t have the courage to speak up for what’s right. When is someone in power going to stand up against these unbelievably rich child predators in a meaningful and consistent way?
Meg Lyman Deer Park
Repetition alone doesn’t create belief
A recent letter suggested that repetition of words and ideas can influence how people think and vote. There is truth in that observation. Human beings have always been shaped by the stories and language surrounding them.
But repetition alone does not create belief.
What matters just as much is whether we remain curious enough to question what we hear.
In every generation there are voices that try to simplify complicated issues into slogans or labels. That happens in politics, media, and even everyday conversations.
When ideas are repeated often enough, they can begin to feel like truth whether we have examined them carefully or not.
The responsibility, then, does not fall only on those who speak. It also falls on those of us who listen. A healthy community depends on citizens who pause, ask questions, and seek understanding rather than simply accepting the loudest or most repeated message.
In the end, words are powerful. But thoughtful people are even more powerful when they refuse to let repetition replace reflection.
Saundra K. Park Newport
Save Act
Congressional Democrats want you to think the Save Act will suppress votes by requiring photo ID and proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Nonsense. Let’s look at this logically.
American citizens are issued a birth certificate at birth. When you turn 16 you are old enough for a Driver’s License, complete with photo. Yes we pay for the license.
When a woman gets married and takes her husband’s last name, there are several things to change, and yes there are fees attached. There is a cost to being an American.
The Dem’s like to point to immigration as if they can’t afford these costs. There is a process to become a citizen, and yes there are costs.
Thousands immigrate to America legally every year. They find a way to pay for it. Everything in America comes with a cost.
A problem is many states give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. There is no proof of citizenship that comes through the legal process. Only American citizens should be voting in Federal elections.
How many illegals have voted in the last several elections?
America is the greatest country on earth. It’s worth the price of admission.
Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick
Another war of choice started by GOP
Another dumb war of choice was started by Republicans who didn’t learn anything from Iraq and Afghanistan. Isarel dragged us into their forever religious Armageddon war. Trump kidnapped the leader of Venezuela and killed the leader of Iran. Trump has opened the door to forcefully removing the leaders of rival nations.
Trump can kidnap or kill the leader of any country by using the power of the US military.
He turned on the Prime Minister of Spain and is cutting off all trade with Spain because they said no to Trump’s war of choice. Trump also turned on the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for UK’s reluctance to support his war. Our military is being led by a former Fox TV host who has a different rationale for the war every time he speaks.
His playing war like a game lost the USA $100 million in airplanes from friendly fire because we failed to program recognition codes into Kuwaiti missile defense systems.
Then, we killed over 160 Iranian schoolgirls by bombing their school.
Meanwhile, we could have a revenge terrorist attack inside America.
Imagine dozens of small suicide drones flying into loaded airliners at a major US airport.
Pete Scobby Newport
Many ways to provide ID for voting
The Editor’s note to my March4 letter, (‘Most want photo ID for voting’) seems a bit disingenuous. I only discussed voter ID, within a letter, not the entire Act.
But since it’s mentioned, upon reviewing the Bill, a Washington DL/ID, a certified copy of their birth certificate, marriage certificate (for married people), or court order proving the name change, as I read it.
Essentially, the same documents required to change the name on a birth certificate. Seems even a passport card is accepted.
I also found under the title “To Vote, section (2) “Additional Processes In Certain Cases,” subsection (A) “Process for Individuals Lacking Documentary Proof.” States shall have a procedure to provide individuals who lack documented proof of citizenship to be able to substantiate their citizenship status and sign an affidavit.
In addition, some giving the suggestion that married women may exhibit a deficiency in their knowledge to be able to register to vote with a name change is an absurd talking point.
Furthermore, it gives the impression that the sole individuals who would have a name change are married women. It’s like assuming it’s problematic for people in both rural and urban areas to get an ID to vote. SMH.
Renee Webster Newport
EDITOR’S NOTE: The example of married women in last week’s Editor’s Note is just that, an example. It did not imply that women are not capable of registering to vote. It stated, “If the name on your birth certificate doesn’t match the name on your ID, which is the case of many married women, it would require that be rectified, all of which costs money.” The added cost in order to vote is the point. The SAVE Act requires proof of citizenship, which a driver’s license does not provide. Nationwide, 0.04% of voter verification cases are returned as noncitizens, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center, citing the ACLU.
