YOUR OPINION

More hypocrisy

It seems that the hypocrite- in-chief wants to deny all of us the ability to vote by mail but doesn’t want that to apply to himself. What a loser. Two articles caught my attention on the same day this week. The Pentagon wants another $200 billion to fight the war against Iran that President Bone Spurs keeps telling us has already been won. The other item was the mayor of Chewelah going to D.C. to petition for funds for their water system that is in dire need of repair. Can you imagine how many rural water systems and waste management systems could be upgraded and repaired for $200 billion? Priorities folks, it’s all about priorities. What’s more important to you?

Steve Bennett Newport

One voice of sanity

In response to the question “Who do you think leads the Democratic Party today?” Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) said, “I think that TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) is the leader right now. You know, right now our party is governed by the TDS, and now it’s made it virtually impossible, without being punished, as a Democrat, to agree something’s good. Or ‘I agree with the other side.’ And I would define that by Epic Fury.” I’m amazed — one Real Democrat in the crowd of politicians infesting the hill!

In contrast, another prominent Democrat, James Carville, said (edited for profanity), “You’re right, I got Trump Derangement Syndrome. I hate the (expletive). And you know what? I don’t wanna get rid of it. I don’t wanna get better. I wanna get worse. I wanna hate him more. I pray to God in heaven … Lord, I’m your vessel on this earth. Pray for the people that listen to this. We want more. We wanna hate the son of a (expletive) so much that we can’t see straight!” I’d say he personifies the TDS illness — praying for hate, no less. So sad what propaganda is doing to our culture and relationships! Kamori Cattadoris Newport

Why no Baumgartner town hall?

I was reading back issues of The Miner recently when I found an editorial dated March 19, 2025, complimenting Michael Baumgartner for holding a town hall in Spokane. The editor even invited Baumgartner to come to Pend Orielle County to hold a town hall. Sadly, he has not. In fact, that March 2025 event in Spokane was his last public appearance that was not by invitation only.

Not surprising. He faced tough questioning then, and his inaction and silence in the face of the administration’s onslaught against norms, law and basic dignity has only gotten worse. He says he is running for re-election, but you would never know it. He acts as a rubber stamp for Trump even when his own constituents pay more for healthcare, gas, electricity, housing and travel. And that was before the war Baumgartner refused to consider voting for in Congress.

I’m trying to imagine how he will campaign. Town halls — doubtful. Walk in a local parade — that’s a knee-slapper. Issue press releases offering empty platitudes of support for farmers and local businesses? He’s doing that already, ignoring how his votes have created the problems those folks face. Empty words from an empty suit.

Roger Haick Loon Lake

What are they thinking?

The hypocrisy by some of the leftist, untutored opinion writers has become unsuitable, impractical and hopelessly laughable. Their weekly attacks on President Trump are without merit. Claims that the attack on Iran was not needed are frankly ridiculous; It has been needed for 40 years, to the point where all of Iran’s neighboring countries supported the action taken by the U.S. and Israel. The procedure has been carried out with amazing results in a very short period of time. It is nearing the point where the Iranian people have the opportunity to retake control of their government and rejoin the conventional world. The complaints from the left about high gas prices are hypocritical and petty after the previous administration’s highest inflation in 40 years, which we are still recovering from. TDS is still running rampant. Democrat politicians can’t deal with Trump’s successes. They oppose all he does because they are not for the American people — they are for themselves.

K.C. Hunt Newport

April 11 town hall

It is easy to get wrapped up or bogged down in the national news, international war reports and political exaggeration. However, we all live in local communities, and those communities have entities that may be more central to our day to day lives than what is taking place across the nation or the world.

There will be a Community Town Hall to focus on important issues right here at home. At 1 p.m. April 11 we will have the opportunity to hear presentations on how our system of voting works and the importance of our local newspaper.

Marianne Nichols, Pend Oreille County auditor, will walk through the voting process in Washington state, explaining the checks and balances used to protect every ballot. Michelle Nedved, publisher of The Newport Miner, will discuss why journalism is more important now than ever and what the future of community journalism looks like. Written questions from the audience will be taken after each presentation.

This second Town Hall will be held at the Newport Public Utility District conference room accessible from Pine Street. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Martha Nichols Newport

Winning

Some headlines from the week: Senate confirms first-ever Assistant AG to seek out fraud in federal and state governments. LA jury finds Meta/Google/YouTube/Tik-Tok liable in social media addiction case — the first of many. General Flynn wins his case against the government, $1.2 million. Jack Smith secretly subpoenaed two years of phone records on Cabinet members.

International Olympic Committee says no men in women’s sports. Lititia James (get Trump) is hit with two more criminal charges in Florida and Illinois. Trump signs Emergency Order to pay TSA agents (Dems care more about illegals than citizens). Court backs ICE, no bail for illegals. Six Muslim Nations make joint statement against Iran.

Trump to become first sitting President with his signature on US currency. White House launches “News” Apps on their website. You can now get news in real time, no filters. Delta to suspend special services for Congress members until the shutdown ends. Trump and Iran are in talks, even as Trump moves more leverage into the region. Iran will make a deal if they know what’s good for them. Twenty-two countries are coming to the Strait to help out. Trump is moving the world in the right direction.

Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick

Are we happy?

Have you heard of the world happiness report? This report is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an independent editorial board. Spoiler alert — the US does not even rank in the top 10. How can that be?

According to the report, “Happiness rankings are determined by analyzing comprehensive Gallup polling data from 149 countries in six particular categories: gross domestic product per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make your own life choices, generosity of the general population and perceptions of internal and external corruption levels.”

Finland took top honors — for the 10th year in a row, followed in order by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Israel, the Netherlands and Norway. The U.S. ranks 25th.

Most of these countries have mixed socialist economies — progressive tax rates, high level of government services — things vilified by U.S. conservatives.

We’ve all heard of the growing wealth gap in the U.S. The “cut taxes” mantra promoted by Republicans means the rich keep getting richer and the poor poorer; money has been flowing from the bottom 40% to the top 1%.

Are we happier?

Sandy Nichols Newport Dying for presidential vanity

LETTERS:

Renee Webster should be on the Newport Draft Board when Trump and his rubber stamp congress reinstate the military draft. She can process 18-year-old boys for induction and foreign war deployment. How does the Trump Imperial American Empire rule the world without a draft?

America must invade and occupy oil-producing countries and route their oil revenues to our treasury. We recently did that with Venezuela; Trump deposited $500 million from Venezuela in a Qatar account.

Trump wants $200 billion more for his vanity wars of conquest.

Who else are we going to invade beside Venezuela and Iran: Canada, Mexico, Greenland, Cuba and Columbia?

Presidential abuse of American troops since 9/11 is horrible with devastating family misery. Dismissing that abuse as voluntary is sickening.

The USS Gerald Ford Aircraft Carrier has been at sea for 11 months without the crew returning to see their families. Renee, I am sure they volunteered for that, and you can dismiss it along with the still-active Selective Service Act. Registering is not voluntary if you are a male 18–25 years old.

It’s one thing to die or be injured in combat protecting America. Doing it for presidential vanity is wrong and immoral.

Pete Scobby Newport