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To the editor, Karen Matthee puts her values into action.
One example is the July 1, 2024 library rally that she organized to call attention to HB 710. This law states that school and library staff members who provide youths with materials deemed “harmful” to minors can be fined $250. Plaintiffs could receive uncapped damages resulting in wasted tax dollars on lawsuits and threaten to bankrupt or shut down some libraries.
In fact, Donnelly Public Library will no longer allow anyone under 18 to visit unless accompanied by a parent in order to avoid litigation they simply can’t afford.
The library rally drew over 80 people including retired librarians who expressed their appreciation to Karen Matthee for bringing attention to this issue. Karen Matthee then drove to Bonners Ferry to deliver care packages to their librarians to show her appreciation and concern.
Recently, Karen has been speaking with organizations such as the North Idaho Library Alliance. Karen Matthee has arranged for this group to come to Sandpoint to speak about how the law is affecting our libraries.
Karen Matthee is a candidate who uses her platform to bring attention to important issues. It’s easy to say you care about libraries. It’s another thing to actually do something that SHOWS you care. You can see by her actions that Karen will fight for our libraries!
Karen Matthee who will always put her values into action for all of us! Join me in voting for Karen on November 5. kmatthee4idaho.com -Susan Bates-Harbuck Sandpoint
Vote Democrat, top to bottom
To the editor, Never in my lifetime have we had a clearer picture of our choices for November. On one side we have hope and progress. The other side has fear and regression.
From the top down, federal to local, we are given the choice of going backwards in fear of ‘others’ or going forward with hope for everyone.
I am old enough to have cynicism about all things political but when I see some small glimmer of what could be a better future for my grandchildren, I will choose hope over cynicism every single time.
This Nov. 5th I am totally committed to the Democratic ticket from the top down. From Harris and Walz to the down ticket races. For Kaylee Peterson, Karen Matthee, Kathryn Larson and Steve Johnson.
I am voting for progress, integrity and hope over the incessant drumbeat of ‘Us versus Them’ doom and gloom of the GOP.
I encourage everyone, Independent, Republican, Libertarian or Democrat to vote for the restoration of our freedoms. The freedom to make our own health choices; the freedom to read what we wish; the freedom to love who we wish; and to think for ourselves. Together we can make a difference.
Vote 11/5/2024!
-Gil Beyer Sandpoint
Misses serious
Republican party
To the editor, This message is to the many Pend Oreille County residents who are oldschool Republicans. I’m a proud lifelong Democrat, and I miss having a serious Republican party. Hearing other opinions and ideas helps balance and shape my own, and a democracy should be a big tent where all who value freedom and the democratic process are welcome. I value your ideas, and I encourage you to vote for country over party in 2024.
We don’t need to hate, demean, or fear each other. We all want positive, honorable leaders for our children and grandchildren to look up to. No one wants chaos. Take a breath. You may not agree with the Harris/ Walz policies, and I think we can all trust that their election will guarantee our democracy continues. They are committed to the peaceful transfer of power, free and fair elections, and separation of powers among the three branches of government.
You can take time to rebuild your Republican party into a respected, sane group again. Let go of the crazies who want to talk about people eating cats rather than deal with serious issues like housing costs and climate change. We have more in common than we have differences.
-Marie Bjork-Haugen Newport
Globalism
To the editor, Per Pete Scobby’s letter (9/11 edition), I will explain “globalism” (but ignore his uninformed mockery, a sad testimonial to the power of hate-mongering propaganda). Following is my working hypothesis based on ongoing research.
Shortly after World War II, wealthy elites of multinational corporations and the ruling class across the world (“globalists”), for whom the wartime economy had been wildly profitable, colluded on an elaborate scheme to slowly dissolve national sovereignty and assert control over the entire world for themselves. (“Globalism” in one sentence.) The chaos caused by wars also affords multiple opportunities to further the globalists’ agenda.
They loosely align when something furthers their common goals; while at the same time ruthlessly compete against one another for the world’s resources.
The Trilateral Commission, co-founded by Henry Kissinger, is one of many organizations created to facilitate the US transformation. Their manifesto was outlined by Zbigniew Brzezinski in his 1970 book “Between Two Ages: America’s Role in the Technetronic Era.” He describes their strategy to erode culture, traditional values and human rights in order to establish control via “continuous surveillance over every citizen and maintain up-to-date complete files containing even the most personal information about the citizen,” availing unelected elites unprecedented control over citizens.
During the 1970s, the Trilateral Commission literally took over the entire foreign, economic and military policy-making of the US government. There’s massive evidence implicating the CIA providing bottomless funding for operations and doing the clandestine “dirty work.”
The World Economic Forum was co-founded by Klaus Schwab as the action arm of the globalists. Kissinger’s mission was to guide Schwab, his protégé, towards their ultimate goal of total global domination through “creative” social and economic policies. Graduates of the WEF’s Young Global Leaders program have infiltrated governments, the UN and many NGOs.
Preposterous? Checkmate may be closer than it appears.
-Kamori Cattadoris Newport
Instigate term limits, control funding
To the editor, In my opinion, the only way We, the people, can take control of our government: Instigate term limits: No matter what to think your representatives have done for your state, it doesn’t mean that they are the only ones who can do that. We all know that the longer most of our representatives are in office, the more they are in it for their selves.
Do something now to encourage term limits. With this rotation and the elimination of representatives in total power, who brow beat underlings to stay in line, who’s to say that the Freshmen can’t accomplish the same thing for your state or community.
Control campaign funding: We, the people, have to demand congress pass a campaign funding bill that get’s rid of the PAC’s and the dark money. Candidates should only be able to receive money from their individual constituents. If this happens, they would be on a level playing field and wouldn’t be wasting Billions of dollars on their campaigns.
If PAC’s and dark money managers would put that money into helping Americans, in stead of helping them selves, we would all be better off.
-Budd Colucci Newport
Trump is the one with cognitive decline
To the editor, A letter last week from Glenn Pierce falsely implied President Biden’s withdraw from the election was due to his cognitive decline which was going to trigger the 25th Amendment. I believe his decision was rational, logical, and based on his strong conviction that a different candidate stood a better chance of preserving democracy by keeping fascist Trump out of office.
Many of deranged Donald Trump’s bizarre statements during the debate Tuesday show he is the candidate in cognitive decline. How can he say with a straight face that illegal immigrants are eating pets in Springfield, Ohio? Likewise, that Democrats are murdering children after birth or during the ninth month of pregnancy? Another eye roller occurred when he said Democrats take students from classes and perform sex change operations on them before sending them home. Let’s not forget he said he never made an issue of Kamala Harris’s race, even though the whole world saw and heard it said two weeks ago. What normal, sane person would say such things? Of course, there is no proof or evidence to support these delusional rantings.
Does this sound like a person who has presidential capabilities, much less normal cognitive abilities?
Perhaps the 25th Amendment can be invoked prior to the election and save this country from four years of lunacy.
-Greg Hicks Spokane
Trump’s debate performance full of lies
To the editor, I’m sure many of us watched the debate the other night. I don’t know why I really waste my time saying things about Trump because the people on the right aren’t going to listen anyway, because they’ve made up their minds that Haitians eat cats, dogs and geese now, too. They believe as well that the Democrats are going to start World War III. They believe that Kamala Harris is a witch and a Marxist.
They want us to believe that Joe Biden hates Harris because she pushed him out of the race.
Trump wants us also to believe that babies are executed after birth if the mother decides she doesn’t want the child or doesn’t like the look of it or maybe the sex isn’t what suits her – so they just give it to the doctor and tell him to kill the baby. They adopt babies, no executing them.
I feel stupid just saying something so ignorant.
He was also told that there was no reports of missing animals in Ohio. And then threw a fit and acted like the 2-year-old that we all see. He spews his lies and deflects onto others what he has done. I could go on and on and on about him and his failures but they already know it and just won’t acknowledge it. Remember readers, we know who Trump is and what he wants. If you want a free country you would be very wise not vote for him.
-Jeannie Hutchins Newport
Falling economy?
To the editor, One way to look at an economy’s strength is to analyze Dollar Stores.
Patron households making up to 125K visit to buy food and household items.
Those above 125K purchase party items such as decorations etc. (John Carney) Dollar Tree’s latest earnings report offers a grim picture of the American economy. What we are witnessing is not a minor fluctuation in retail performance, but a broader indictment of an economy that, under the leadership of Biden/Harris has completely lost its way.
Dollar Tree’s same store sales only grew by 1.3% last quarter, far below expectations in this economy. Their stock price fell nearly 25% while Dollar General’s stock fell over 30%.
Investors are seeing the writing on the wall. Poorer households are too poor to shop there. Wealthier households are forgoing the parties. People are shifting from “buying for want” to “buying for need.” The Biden/Harris economic policies have driven inflation through the roof.
This is the logical outcome of those policies. Even the affluent are feeling it, tightening their belts. Kamala has talked about price caps. These have been tried several times before and have never worked.
Mark Cuban was quoted as saying, “if Kamala puts her capital gains plan in place, it will kill the stock market.” America may not survive another four years on this road.
In the latest Jobs Report, it showed that job openings crashed, losing 4.5 million. Lay-offs have spiked and either companies are not hiring workers or are replacing them with non-W2 migrants.
In my opinion, whether you like Trump or not, we had a much stronger economy under Trump than we have right now. The road we are currently on is headed for a crash. People can’t afford to live. I’m taking emotion out of my decision, I’m voting logic.
-Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick
County Commissioner John Gentle plays dirty
To the editor, During his initial 2020 campaign to become commissioner, Gentle’s surrogates, Messsrs.
Norman Smith and Christian Meador conspired to publicly embarrass Gentle’s opponent, Devin Beach. Smith and Meador apparently made at least one anonymous donation to Beach and then filed a campaign finance violation complaint with the Public Disclosure Commission against Beach over their donation!
In a letter to Smith dated August 4, 2020, the State Public Disclosure Commission stated: “Based on staff’s review, we found the following:” and then citing information provided by Beach’s attorney in one of the seven following bullet points, outlined the scheme, “Mr. Beach is being targeted, with knowing falsity, by a few people (some of them public servants also) who have intentionally concealed their names and contributions so as to manufacture a false claim against Mr.
Beach. The people who have acted and whom we can identify are Christian Meador and Norm Smith.
Between them, Messrs.
Meador and Smith have concealed their identities while making contributions of $25.01, $25.02 and $25.81, over the past three weeks or so, to Mr.
Beach’s Campaign. Then to compound their atrocious misconduct and out of an apparent misapprehension of the law, Meador and Smith falsely reported to the Commission that Mr.
Beach violated the law by accepting anonymous campaign contributions.
The actions of Meador and Smith went far beyond that. RCW 42.17A.435.
We have videotape from Spokane Teachers Credit Union showing Mr. Meador doing exactly that. This is both malfeasance and malfeasance in office….”
The PDC exonerated Beach. Smith and Meador each donated $100 to Gentle and actively promoted his campaign. By refusing to condemn the egregious misconduct by his surrogates, Gentle shows he lacks the personal character to serve in public office in Pend Oreille County.
-Ben Richards Usk
Trouble
To the editor, Part of the song called “Trouble” [lyrics by Ry Cooder] has a line. “Trouble you can’t fool me I’ve see you hiding behind that tree.” It seems many of the writers who submit to The Miner embrace conspiracy theories, use unsubstantiated statements and delve in divisional comments. I say “Trouble,” you cannot fool me.
From rehashing the election in 2020 was stolen, a continued bashing of Biden on age [old news] and his accomplishments to now stating the selection of VP Harris as a nominee for President was a coup. That she was not selected by the people.
There is the view that all media is twisted and controlled by international conspirators seeking world domination. The media can be all over the political spectrum voicing their opinion and views. Diverse opinion, try that in Russia, North Korea or other authoritarian countries.
The word cabal seems to dominate.
It is a responsibility for each of us to be informed by assimilation of diverse opinions and making rational decisions based on the facts available. No amount of “research” eliminates this responsibility if the sources only coincide with your personal views. Spewing words of division is not productive especially when based on lies, conspiracy theories or what is read in checkout lane of your local market.
“Trouble.” Yes, it hides behind the tree. It is called misogyny, racism, inequality, narcissism and the use of such to divide our country.
-Robert W. Schutte Newport
Test Trump’s weird statements
To the editor, I have a question for the area school boards, administrators and the Newport Hospital. How many school children have you forced into gender changing surgery? According to former President Trump the parents of little Jimmy say they love him and he goes to your school and comes home as a female without his parents being involved.
I would really like to know how Trump’s gender changing process works in our community.
Here is the thing. Before voting for Trump, take any of his weird claims to ground and test if they are factual or just political fantasy uttered to stir up your built-in predispositions.
Can you see the sheriff picking up kids at school and taking them to the hospital for forced gender altering surgery? Since every local elected and appointed political office is held by Republicans, they must be involved in forcing local school children into gender changing surgeries. If not, then your boy Trump is a liar and is implicating his supporters as child abusers.
You can have an opinion about children changing their birth gender, but making it into a political issue just to elect people like Trump is disingenuous.
Making medical procedures and treatments political is the same as making your religion political. Does God need a political party affiliation?
Another weird Trump claim is that immigrants from Haiti are eating the pets of American citizens in Ohio. That’s right. Every lost cat or dog is being captured and eaten by people that shouldn’t be in America. Follow that with Trump’s claim of born babies being killed. If you are voting for him, you must believe that nonsense. He is baiting you for your vote. If elected, he will say he saved pets and children from make believe harm he created.
-Pete Scobby Newport
