Idaho attorney general proves again he’s not qualified to speak to medical issues | Opinion

Labrador

It is shocking to hear our attorney general say he can’t imagine a scenario when women would be transferred to an out-of-state medical facility for emergency abortions. This is the same political buffoon who once said in a town meeting “Nobody dies because they don’t have access to health care.” He has proven over and over that he is totally unqualified to speak to medical issues. And about Idaho’s abortion ban; it’s like so much legislation coming out of our legislature. Bills are either so poorly written that they need clarification or re-writing AFTER they’re passed and signed into law, or they’re so contrary to the Constitution that they require taxpayer funded legal battles. So much of it is because many of the bills are crafted and/or heavily influenced by radical right wing groups like the Idaho Freedom Foundation. This legislature is so focused on culture wars that so much of the session is wasted on legislation in search of a problem and real issues important to the majority of Idahoans are addressed at the last minute, if at all. Voters should require more than an “R” next to a candidate’s name to earn their vote.

Brad Chambers, Boise

Trump support

Joe and Brad, not a backbone between them.

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said he can’t turn a blind eye to what Trump did on Jan. 6. He said Trump was “innocent until proven guilty.” Joe conveniently forgot that a political endorsement does not require a trial’s high bar “beyond a shadow of doubt.” It only needs good judgment. Governors Lombardo and Little showed none.

Actually, the Supreme Court of Colorado upheld the trial judge’s conclusions that Trump “engaged in” the Jan. 6 insurrection. While the Republican U.S. Supreme Court did not allow the 14th Amendment’s political punishment of removing Trump from the ballot, none of the “justices” questioned Trump’s guilty role in the insurrection. He has been found guilty of Insurrection.

No friend of police, Trump incited the criminal insurrectionists to attack the Capital and D.C. Metro Police to overturn a fair and just election. The Department of Justice review of body cam videos finds there were approximately 1,000 assaults on 160 Capitol and D.C. police. Idaho Gov. Brad Little tweeted “Idahoans stand up for law enforcement and respect the rule of law.” Both claim to support police but neither have the backbone to retract endorsements of Trump who incited and lead the largest attack on police ever.

Ed Wardwell, Boise

GOP

Want to know what kind of Republicans your GOP primary candidates really are? Ask them to answer the following questions with ONLY a simple, YES or NO. Should any U.S. citizen be above the law? Should registered voters have the right to vote in all Idaho elections their taxes fund? Should all voters have the right to vote early, or by no-excuse absentee ballot in every Idaho election? Should Idaho voters have the right to pass laws by citizen ballot initiatives? Should Idaho’s legislature be allowed to amend or nullify a successfully passed citizens ballot initiative? Should Idaho’s voters decide via a citizen ballot initiative if Idaho’s abortion laws are too restrictive? Should a 34% minority of bond voters be able to deny funding to repair, or replace, unsafe Idaho public school facilities? Should Idaho tax dollars fund private or religious schools? Should legislators prioritize their political party agenda over the needs of their district constituents? Should GOP party bosses be allowed to censure or punish elected public officials? Should personal religious beliefs of any legislator be forced upon other citizens through laws? Good luck getting any direct answers from your GOP candidates before May’s primary election.

Steven Shake, Caldwell

Wolves

Imagine chasing a wolf with a snowmobile, and running it over. The wolf is disabled, so you take it home to show your family and take pictures. With its mouth-muzzled, you then take the still-alive wolf to a bar, for all your friends to see. You then drink beers with your buddies, and shoot videos of the wolf lying disabled, muzzled, and suffering on the floor. Finally, you take the wolf outside, and shoot it dead. This is the story of Cody Roberts of Wyoming.

Cody is the new poster-child for everything that’s wrong with the state management of wolves.

Ever since Senator Tester orchestrated the removal of federal protections for gray wolves in 2009, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho have unleashed a barrage of policies that have resulted in the slaughter of wolves numbering in the thousands. Hunting, trapping, and strangulation (snaring) are some of the tactics employed by “sportsmen.” Don’t forget poisoning, killing wolf pups in their dens, and state-sanctioned aerial gunning and bounties. It’s been a blood-bath.

I support the recent lawsuit seeking federal protections for gray wolves in the Northern Rockies. And Cody Roberts should have his hunting privileges suspended for life, and be sent to jail.

Brett Haverstick, Missoula

Social media

Social media’s impact on mental health in Idaho is significant. While it offers instant communication and connection, studies, such as one from the National Institute of Health, consistently highlight its detrimental effects. Cyberbullying and unrealistic standards contribute to increased anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, especially among adolescents and young adults.

Locally, Boise State Public Radio discussed this issue with Dr. Spencer Merrick, emphasizing social media’s addictive nature and its role in fostering isolation and loneliness among Idaho’s youth.

To address this, community awareness is essential. We must provide tools and education to mitigate social media’s negative impact on mental health. Most importantly, we need to support one another during challenging times.

Colby Colaianni, Meridian

Dumb Americans

Here is how dumb America has become. Our populace is naturally fixated on the upcoming Paris Olympics, especially when we learn female athletes are fuming that the Nike wardrobe fashioned for them is too revealing.

Meanwhile, on the same news day, those few Americans who are paying attention notice that Joe Biden’s dream of an expanded war in the Middle East that will sweep him into a second term of office is about to be realized.

Here is Biden’s plan. Biden greenlights enough Netanyahu carnage in Gaza to upset the Arab world to no end. Israel then takes the next step and commits an act of war against Iran by attacking its embassy complex in Damascus, killing top commanders. Biden then publicly and unilaterally commits “ironclad” American support whenever Iran retaliates against Israel.

Biden does all this war-making without consulting with Congress as a whole as the Constitution requires. But who is paying attention? American men are drooling over the prospect of watching young ladies jump over hurdles exposing more than just muscles.

Kimball Shinkoskey, Woods Cross, Utah