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Ideology, the curiosity killer
To the editor, One reason I write is to draw attention to what many call the censorship industrial complex. As I witnessed the massive censorship of Covid information by the media – a blatant violation of our rights – I intuitively suspected that there was much more to uncover. If I had not researched independent journalists about the Covid pandemic, I would still be entranced by the Democrat ideology. Like most, I had no concept of “globalism” and no awareness of the massive corruption and infiltration the “globalists” have accomplished – the direct result of censorship. It’s alarming how the corporate-controlled media were so successful at mocking as “conspiracy theorists” anyone dissenting from official narratives that people ceased asking questions and lost touch with their natural curiosity.
My fellow “open-minded” Democrats who claim to “welcome diversity” do not seem to recognize how they have become closed-minded to anyone questioning their beliefs. Democrats who have never met me formed ready-made judgments about my character and motives. Their assumptions about me – and Republicans – are way off; I see these assumptions as echoes of the media’s hate-mongering propaganda. Instead of asking how I came to my views, instead of welcoming debate or getting curious about sources I’ve cited – if only just to prove me wrong – their minds are already made up. What if their beliefs are unwittingly based on falsehoods?
In my opinion, beliefs shape one’s perceptions. When formed by propaganda, mockery, and hate, these beliefs converge into an impenetrable ideology. The danger of any ideology is that once it becomes one’s identity, we double-down on those beliefs and vigorously resist disconfirming evidence – at our peril. Instead of seeking truth, we defend our self-image and the ideology.
This is exactly what the powers- that-shouldn’t-be want: loyal minions who defend their narratives and never question their authority.
-Kamori Cattadoris Newport
The Bible and Donald Trump
To the editor, How can Bible believers vote for Trump? He can’t quote it, but he will sell you one for $59.99, held the Bible upside down as a photo prop in 2020, and he ignores Ten Commandments, the foundation of Christian and Jewish ethics and morality.
“I am the LORD thy God, that shall have no gods before me.”
Remember the Gold DT statue at CPAC? “Remember the Sabbath.”
Trump’s Sabbath ritual -- golf.
“Thou shalt not kill.” DT incited a deadly riot, six people died. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
Cheated on Ivana Trump with Marla Maples, married her then cheated admitting to three other girlfriends. In Access Hollywood tape, he admits attempting an affair with a married reporter, saying he grabs women by the “p----” because he is, “a star.” Cheated on pregnant Melania with porn star Stephanie Clifford. “Thou shalt not steal.” Ripped-off millions from small businesses with six bankruptcies. “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” Washington Post fact checked and found over 10,000 lies. Most recently: “Haitian Immigrants eat dogs and cats.” How many Haitian children will be taunted, bullied or damaged because of this blatant lie?
Donald, “They shall know you by your works.”
-Betty Gardner Priest River
Trump’s cognitive decline on display in debate
To the editor, I was both amused and surprised at a recent letter indicated that I had not “brought the truth” in a discussion concerning Trump’s cognitive decline.
Deranged Donald claimed in the debate with Harris that 1: immigrants are eating cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio; 2: Democratic states are allowing abortions at nine months and after birth; 3: that public schools are performing sex change operations on students w/o parental consent.
All three statements were factchecked as total lies. A rational person would not make such insane and absurd statements.
There is my proof, as viewed by millions of people worldwide. If that is not proof of mental health issues, I do not know what is. The truth was brought, but as with so many MAGA sheep, the writer simply ignores facts and the truth. The writer then gives several opinions of “facts” I left out as to the reason Biden dropped out of the race. I would challenge the writer to provide some proof, evidence or facts for his mere opinions. Does he have some secret source of information, was he part of the discussion to quit, was he at any of the meetings?
The answer to all these questions is of course not. So now who did not “bring the truth?” I would encourage the writer to do even a minimal amount of research on an issue before he writes about it, and the research should not have the words “DC” or Marvel” on the cover.
-Greg Hicks Spokane
Clueless Republicans need to see what’s before their eyes
To the editor, It amazes me when I see things in the paper that people still believe in Trump. I almost lost all faith in Bill Clinton when he had an indiscretion during his time in office. I was embarrassed as a Democrat.
It seems that Republicans, maybe they have no moral compass, and allow themselves to think whatever he does is fine. There are poor people all over this country that he is trying to destroy.
Trump and his VP Slick act like everyone else is the villain, the liar the thief the crook but not them not them.
I think that maybe some people are so blinded by Trump’s shiny watches and shoes and hawking Bibles, trinkets and trading cards but they think how can this worthless old bum be a bad guy?
I just thank God everyday for Jack Smith, and his digging down and getting the truth from people like Mike Pence. Yeah that’s right, Mike Pence that Trump wanted to have hung because he wouldn’t overthrow the election.
I wish the blind and clueless Republicans could wake the hell up and see what’s right in front of their eyes.
-Jeannie Hutchins Newport
Republicans can support Harris without switching parties
To the editor, As members of an important swing state, a Wisconsin Republican group declares in an open letter “their support for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.” These former lawmakers, elected officials and a sitting GOP district attorney says you don’t have to switch parties to vote for Kamala Harris. Wisconsin Examiner “Wisconsin GOP group launches pro-Harris campaign with an open letter,” October 3, 2024. This groups is among thousands of good, honest, and informed Republicans who are declaring their support for the Kamala/ Walz ticket.
I’ve never in my 60+ years of voting seen anything like the political circus/mess created solely by Donald Trump in his attempt to stay in power and have absolute control. He lost the 2020 election. He knows he lost it, and he continues his irrational behavior of lies and deceitfulness to disrupt the 2024 elections.
I want my GOP friends and family to know it is okay to vote for the most qualified, serious, respectable, and responsible candidate over party without switching parties. At this point voting across party lines is the only way to protect our Constitution government and the rights of the people over a MAGA chaotic dictatorship. JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, referred to Trump in 2016 as the American Hitler. Nothing has changed on that, but Vance’s opinion.
Every new morning more and more good and conscientious Republicans are waking up to the “real” Trump and to the chaos that he represents and declaring their support for Kamala Harris. In actuality they are declaring their support and renewing their commitment to our United States Constitution and within it our American rights, privileges, and freedoms. To all Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Progressives, and undecideds, let’s vote on November 5, 2024, as if our lives depended on it - because they do.
-Phyllis Kardos Newport
Conroy very qualified for Congress
To the editor, If the voters of Eastern Washington elect Carmela Conroy as our Representative to the U.S. Congress, this is what it will mean.
Wheat and potato farmers of eastern Washington who export their produce across the Pacific, will have a Representative who speaks fluent Japanese and has served in multiple assignments with the U.S. State Department in Japan.
We will have a Representative who has a law degree and a thorough understanding of our legal system with three years and 10 months experience as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Spokane County.
At a time of worldwide conflict, we will have a Representative who has served as a foreign service officer with the U.S. State Department for twenty-four and a half years in posts including Pakistan and Afghanistan.
We will have a Representative who takes seriously the scientific consensus on issues like the reality and danger of climate disruption and who believes we should all have the freedom to make medical decisions about our own bodies.
With the continuing plague of school shootings, we will have a Representative who is fully competent with military small arms but agrees with the vast majority of Americans that military style weapons pose a lethal danger to our children and to society overall.
If these are areas of concern for you as a Washington voter, please mark your ballot for Carmela Conroy.
-Martha Nichols Newport
Vote against Idaho’s Proposition 1
To the editor, “What on earth is Proposition 1?”
Why don’t people know about this huge issue? Well the game is up!
Proposition 1 will be on the Idaho Nov. 5 election ballot. If passed, it would change our current primary and general elections and replace our secure paper ballots with computers! It would require spending more than $40 million dollars on the election equipment in all 44 counties and replacing them with equipment made by Dominion Voting Systems or Clear Ballot Group. The ultimate goal is to turn Idaho blue.
Proposition 1 is being sold as an “Open Primaries Initiative.” This is a lie and Idaho’s attorney general is suing the supporters for misrepresenting Prop 1 and fraudulently obtaining signatures to put Prop 1 on the ballot.
If you are a legal registered voter there are presently no restrictions on which party you can affiliate. Prop 1 wants a primary in which so many candidates are running, it would be impossible to research them all. Also, it would be impractical to have forums introducing that many candidates. Out of this “Jungle” primary, a voter has to “Rank” all the top four on the ballot in the general election whether you like them all or not. If you don’t “Rank” all four candidates, your ballot could be thrown out and won’t even count! This ranking process is so complex, it takes a computer. As I said, the ultimate goal is to turn Idaho blue.
Say no to computer voting and keep your freedom!
Vote no on Prop 1 on Nov. 5th!
Be informed. Details can be found at https:// idgop.org/2024/09/04/ prop-1-fact-check/.
-Maureen Paterson Priest River Comparing economies
To the editor, In a presidential election year, the question asked is “am I better off now than under the last administration?” Well, four years ago we were battling COVID and we aren’t today, so in that sense I am. We would later find out that the virus came from a lab in Wuhan, China and the lockdowns ensued.
However, you can’t really compare our economy today with COVID four years ago. That’s like comparing apples to, well, automobiles. Let’s compare both economies: Four years ago, a gallon of gas was just above $2, today it’s just under $4. Back then inflation was at about 2% and today, conservatively at 9% plus. Then, mortgage rates were about 3% and today they are between 6 and 8%. Then, first time homebuyers could barely afford a home, today they can’t.
Groceries are up more than 30% from four years ago. Electricity is up 10 to 12%. Rent is through the roof compared to four years ago. Even a blind man needs to eat and have a roof over his head. Only 17% of CFO’s think Harris will be good for the economy.
Four years ago we lived in a “relatively peaceful” world. Today we are on the verge of WWIII. We have fighting from the Middle East to Ukraine. Putin recently lowered the threshold for nuclear weapons in remarks directed at NATO. We are in the process of moving more ships and troops to the Middle East. It won’t take much to blow this up.
Biden recently held a Cabinet meeting, the first in 11 months. Joe didn’t attend, his wife Jill ran the meeting. Who is running our country?
The only way I can win the argument that I’m better off today, is if I’m standing in front of my mirror, lying to myself.
The facts just don’t add up that way.
Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick
Vice presidents don’t have much to do with economy
To the editor, Today the US monthly jobs report was released and the Wall Street Journal’s lead headline reads “U.S. Hiring Accelerated in September, Blowing Past Expectations” and its front page article is titled “Payrolls rise by 254,000 as labor market strengthens heading into election”. The inflation rate is now at 2.5% (target is 2%), the unemployment rate at 4.1% and the FED has started lowering interest rates. Yet Trump is still claiming that the economy is “absolutely terrible,” and that Kamala Harris is to blame for it.
For starters, Harris had very little to do with the economy either declining or improving. If anyone should take credit for that it should be Joe Biden and FED chairman Powell. Secondly, how much do you think Mike Pence had to do with running the country when Trump was President?
If Trump really wants to give Harris credit for the economy, I think the current numbers are spectacularly good and a boon to her campaign.
-Sandy Nichols Newport
