It would be amusing if it weren’t so serious. Last weekend’s expressions of supposed free speech were almost universally called demonstrations by the media and “mostly peaceful” by some. In contrast, the Jan. 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol was labeled an “insurrection” and “riot” by the media.
For years, Idahoans yelled loud and clear: the Lava Ridge Wind Project is not welcome in our state. Affected local residents, farmers, tribes, conservationists, and the Japanese-American community all stood united in opposition to this plan. However, despite numerous legitimate concerns and near-unanimous opposition to the project, the Biden administration’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) refused to listen.
NHA TRANG, Vietnam - Rod Kjersten has returned to Vietnam for the first time since he was a nurse in the U.S. Air Force hospital in Cam Ranh Bay. Now 77, he recalls the precise date when he left - May 28, 1970. He served at the hospital for two years where he treated wounded American soldiers and saw many die. He says while he was initially "gung-ho" about the U.S. and South Vietnamese war efforts, he has since become "neutral." Asked why, he said it was after seeing the Ku Chi tunnels on this trip. These were some of the tunnels used by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers to hide and "pop up" to shoot at Americans.
This month, Republicans from throughout the Gem State will come together in beautiful Pocatello, Idaho, to enjoy fellowship and take care of important party business. The Idaho GOP State Central Committee is made up of delegates from every legislative district and county in the state. We gather every six months to hear reports from across Idaho and vote on proposed rules and resolutions.
While contemplating the horror of two young and soon-to-be-engaged Israeli Embassy employees who were gunned down by a man shouting "free Palestine" and "I did it for Gaza," outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., last week, I recalled the opening line to a song from the old off-Broadway musical "The Fantasticks" - "You wonder how these things begin." That song speaks to the love between a boy and a girl. Applied to the Washington shootings it makes you wonder how hate begins.
Right now, the United States Senate is debating President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” Social media is weighing in as well, with opinions ranging from enthusiastic support to concerns about increased spending.
The massive cover-up of Joe Biden's mental and physical decline, which is only now being revealed by certain media types who were part of it, reminds me of a similar event more than a century ago.
Donald Trump is now four months into his second term. It’s been quite a ride. Trump has surprised even jaded political cynics like me when it comes to doing what he said that he would do if elected. Whether or not that’s a bad or good thing happens to depend, I reckon, on one’s perspective. But I’ll give him this: he’s doing what many people wanted when they voted for him. Kudos, at least, for that.
Last week, President Trump announced the establishment of a White House Faith Office. Its purpose, as described in a White House announcement, is to “...empower faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship to better serve families and communities.” Don’t they already have access to a higher power?
When most people think about elections, they think of presidential contests, gubernatorial races, or seats in Congress. These big, flashy campaigns dominate the headlines. But some of the most consequential decisions affecting our communities don’t come from Washington, or even from Boise. They come from local boards and commissions elected in so-called “off-cycle” elections.