Labrador's revealing vote
By voting against the "Violence Against Women Act," Raul Labrador clearly demonstrates his cruel and callous disregard for the safety and protection of women.
His vote also confirms his unwillingness to insure protection and justice under the law for our Native American women. These sexist and racist attitudes are not to be condoned.
They do not represent the values of the vast majority of our citizens as we strive to build a fair and humane society.
Labrador defends his vote against the bill by expressing his disapproval about the procedures used to bring the bill to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote, saying, "It's a huge concern." The bill was rightfully brought to the floor and passed with bipartisan support. When parliamentary procedure and political maneuvering takes precedence over the vastly more important concern for the welfare of women, it is time for Idaho voters to replace Labrador with someone else who will promote the general welfare of women and minorities.
Sandra E.
Deutchman
& Philip A.
Deutchman
Sandpoint
Ashamed of Stevenson
I can tell you from working side-by-side with Rep. John Rusche that he is one of the most honorable, hard-working and sincerely virtuous men I have ever met. He works tirelessly to do what is best for Lewiston and Idaho, regardless of party or status. The same cannot be said about his counterpart.
I am ashamed and embarrassed to call Thrya Stevenson my representative and city councilor. She has shown zero class by attempting to throw Rusche under the bus on the House floor, calling his integrity to question.
She said she received some "misinformation," but did not show the basic dignity to ask John about it first. Then she lied to the press to cover her tracks because she knew she got caught.
Her question to Rusche about a conflict of interest was never about working on the health care exchange task force (which he did at Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter's request). It was about his employment at Blue Shield, which has been over for almost a decade.
So now we've got a classless liar double-dipping on public employment and serving as your representative and city councilor. We can do so much better than Stevenson.
Trae Turner
Lewiston
Stopped hunting
I was born in Lewiston in 1932 and grew up during the Great Depression and World War II. My father took me hunting at age 11 or 12. We usually went with some of my uncles and cousins, as was common at that time. I was raised with guns, as was the custom during those years. But I want to make one thing clear: A gun is a killing tool and has no other purpose.
After I married and had two children, I still went hunting. I would leave the family on weekends and sometimes for a week at a time to hunt. Times were not as hard as in past generations and as the children grew I could no longer justify killing game to put meat on the table.
When my children reached the ages of 11 and 12, I had to make a decision. Was I going to pass on to them a tradition that was no longer justifiable? I decided I did not want to pass on a tradition of killing. Therefore I did not give either of my children a killing tool nor teach them how to use one.
Bob Roberts
Lewiston
