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So we’re finally at war with Iran, the world’s greatest sponsor of terror, responsible for thousands of American deaths over the past 47 years. Iran was on the verge of producing nuclear bombs with capabilities of reaching worldwide (including America). On the first day of power their hate chants were “death to America”. It’s about an Islamist ideology that calls for all of us to fall on our knees bowing to Allah. This is their philosophy. With Iran, seven American presidents have continued to kick the bucket down the road. Then Trump came along (again), a president with a brain, a backbone and a deep love for America and future generations, knowing that peace is better than war but war is better than nuclear annihilation. Hussein Obama tried to negotiate a 10-year window to a nuclear bomb, gave Iran billions in unmarked bills. Sleepy Joe Biden gave billions of dollars and removed all of Trump’s sanctions. It appears to me that Obama and Biden both encouraged and abated Iran in its quest for a nuclear arsenal. Now, socialist-Democrats scream about “Trumps’s Iran war”-it’s laughable.
Curtis Bedore Blanchard
Hospital bond untenable
As we consider the proposed $51 million hospital bond, it’s essential to begin with the realities of Hospital District 1.
Our community includes a large share of retirees, fixed-income households, and working families already stretched by rising living costs. For many, even modest tax increases are not abstract—they affect groceries, heating bills, and the ability to remain in their homes.
We recognize the need to keep our medical facilities up to date— not only to care for our aging population but to attract people who might consider living in our area, knowing we have great medical facilities nearby.
The district estimates a tax impact of $1.47 per $1,000 of assessed value. For a typical home in our area—often assessed between $250,000 and $350,000—that means an annual cost of roughly $368 to $515. Over the full 30‑year life of the bond, that adds up to $11,000 to $15,450 per household. That is a significant long‑term financial commitment for residents with limited financial flexibility!
Improving access to care matters. But so does ensuring that the people who will pay for it can reasonably afford the cost.
As a rural district with modest incomes and aging residents, we must weigh need and affordability with clear eyes.
Ernie Hood Newport
‘No Kings’ rallies peaceful, non-threatening
As The Miner reported last week, the Newport No Kings rally on March 28 drew 150 protesters by actual head count. This is an excellent turn out. And yet, I’ve heard from several people that they were discouraged from attending by the aggressive social media posts that threatened the participants in some way.
The rallies at the Big Wheel are peaceful, legal, and non-threatening. The police are notified of the events and participants are given directions about where to park and where to stand.
There may or may not be music, chants, costumes, or treats. The Big Wheel area is cleaned up afterwards and participants go home feeling like they are not alone with their concern for our country and our democracy.
In other words, there is nothing to justify the bullying that happens on social media prior to an event. At No Kings III, there was only one individual who wished to debate our stand on the issues, and he was very polite in his discussion with participants. The only way to stand up to a bully is to call his or her bluff. So, when another rally is planned, ignore the social media bullying and join us.
Martha Nichols Newport
Jane Sauter champions children’s needs
Children’s care needs to be left to their families and churches. In 2025,Senate Bill 1206 appropriated funds to Health and Welfare for Early Learning and Development for the Developmentally Disabled. Giving money to the state to handle our children’s care can easily cause corruption like what we have seen in Minneapolis. The wrong Sauter voted for this last year! Jane Sauter would have the foresight to see that children’s care needs to stay firmly under the control of their family. This is taxpayer-controlled federal dollars that can create a dependency on government instead of strengthening families. Vote for families to have control of their own children’s needs. Vote May 19th, for Jane Sauter!
Maureen Paterson Priest River
Where were ‘No Kings’ when Fauci, others ran the country?
It’s interesting that they can specify a single day and ‘No Kings’ protests pop up in cities around the country yet they can’t show up on a specified day to vote. Where were the ‘No Kings” protests when Fauci was running the world, Obama; buy my insurance or get fined and Biden; take the vax or lose your job? Trump Derangement Syndrome.
The 14th Amendment was passed to make citizens out of the freed slaves. Here for several generations and no country to call home. In Wong Kim Arks case, his parents were established and lived in America for decades.
They couldn’t become citizens because of our racist mindset towards the Chinese at the time.
Right now there are over 500 Chinese companies helping facilitate birthright citizenship.
They bring late term pregnancies to America (birth tourism) to have their babies and then take them back to China to raise them as communists. When they reach adulthood, back to America.
Infiltration. In 2023, 350K (9%) of babies were illegal. Let that sink in.
If my neighbor’s cow jumps the fence and gives birth in my yard, it’s still not my cow or my calf.
Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick
Letter writer resides in own echo chamber
The author of the letter titled “Dying for Presidential Vanity” appears to have taken my letter personally, particularly when they presented a feeble ad hominem argument. While I concur that registration is mandatory, I never contested that assertion or the presidential power of military actions. Instead, I clarified the fact that the military is currently a volunteer organization. Here again, the writer, as they always do, overloading readers with fabrications and underwhelming with actual evidence. For instance, their inaccuracies regarding the statements of the congressmen and the unsubstantiated assertion that enriched uranium is not used to make nuclear bombs, which contradict both the DOE and NRC.
They possess their own perspective, but what grounds this viewpoint? This phenomenon arises when individuals reside within their own echo chambers. Like a child with a box of Legos, they have a Lego here, a Lego there, never connecting the Legos. Let me be candid, the sole reason for their composition of this letter, directed specifically at me, was the negative impact it had on their self-esteem due to my inquiry regarding the glorious title of “Guest Opinion.” I stand by my opinion that they are not a guest; they have become a resident.
Renee Webster Newport
Met Mavalwalla at Newport ‘No Kings’ rally
At the No Kings Rally in Newport, Washington I met Bajun Mavalwalla. Look at PBS. org/newshour, March 27, “Army veteran faces conspiracy charges after participating in anti-ICE protest,” about his son. Bajun Sr. is a retired intelligence officer with three bronze stars. His wife, son and son’s partner are veterans. Senior and Junior served in Afghanistan. Bajun Jr. was at a non-violent anti-ICE protest in June then later arrested by the FBI for conspiracy and faces six years in prison for protesting to ICE for grabbing Legal asylum applicants. Bajan Sr. is worried about his son; also that he will be recalled from retirement to be court martialed.
POTUS says rallies aren’t important except to protestors and reporters. Eight million protestors were watched across the world by millions more. In Newport hundreds of cars gave waves, smiles, thumbs up compared to a few one finger salutes from old and young men. The young guys are those who will be drafted if Trump’s war escalates so why don’t they enlist now with all five of Trump’s kids? Trump actually attempted campaign fund raising at the transference of dead soldiers who came home recently.
To the many veterans at the rally, thank you.
Betty Gardner Priest River
