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To the editor, Some of my dear friends with different views keep going on every so often about high crime rates and murders occuring in cities with Democratic mayors. I decided to research that a little bit regarding murders.
Yes, it turns out that is factual, it turns out that 37 out of the largest 50 cities in the US have Democratic mayors, so the odds dictate the results. However, since data shows that the crime rate in 2023 was at its lowest level in more than 50 years according to population and if you disregard recently more common mass shootings which don’t seem to be effected by whose is mayor, and in the past 12 months the murder rate in U.S. cities fell by 12%, it seems blanket statements don’t apply. However, since most big cities have Democratic mayors and there are those who feel a need to blame someone… The year 2020 showed a sharp uprise in all crime beginning with the Pandemic and for which progressive prosecutors have been blamed by media and conservatives for letting perpetrators off the hook too easily.
Studies from the University of Toronto with Rutgers University, Temple University, Loyola University and U of Missouri have concluded that is not the cause. Cities with progressive prosecutors experienced a 43% increase in homicides during that period as opposed to 55% with more conservative prosecutors.
A comment I read, I quote but can’t recall who wrote it, “If we deported the criminal element of MAGA people instead of immigrants, the crime rate would diminish.” That is rather harsh and unproven and it demonstrates we can’t randomly blame groups for individuals actions. The January 6 insurgents of course do become a group but that is a separate issue, federal crimes not subject here.
-Roger Castle Newport
The real environmental crisis
To the editor, Remember high school biology?
CO2 is a biological gas that is part of Nature’s CO2/oxygen cycle. Animals breathe in oxygen and release CO2; plants take in CO2 and release our oxygen.
Years back, the World Economic Forum (WEF) reportedly chose to focus on CO2, not because they truly believed it’s the driver of climate, but because it’s ubiquitous, easy to monitor, and therefore the perfect policy enforcement tool. Suppressed climate scientists have since exposed how CO2 levels follow temperature; climate is driven primarily by solar activity. While CO2 is a “greenhouse gas,” these scientists estimate its contribution to global warming is less than water vapor.
Notwithstanding, the WEF boldly announced that their “scientists” have determined there are too many humans on the planet exhaling excess CO2! When people declined to stop breathing, they next declared that gardening is dangerous! Pathogens lurk everywhere; masks and gloves should be worn at all times!
People are still happily gardening, so recently the WEF declared its time to ban backyard gardens altogether!
Their supporting “study” claims the most significant contributor to carbon emissions “was the infrastructure used to grow the food, from raised beds to garden sheds to pathways.” The meat, dairy and egg industries were similarly condemned as major contributors to this “existential crisis.”
The “solution” becomes obvious – stop food production altogether!
So-called “green agenda” laws were passed in Europe that effectively drive farmers off their land. To “save the planet,” Bill Gates is ramping up production of synthetic GMO-based “meat” (which in trials, make rats sick).
I believe the real environmental threats are industries that decapitate mountains, spew lethal toxins into the atmosphere, and poison our food and water. Geoengineering weather manipulation (thanks, Bill Gates!) may be responsible for widespread toxic heavy metal contamination. What’s their real agenda?
-Kamori Cattadoris Newport
Support for John Gentle
To the editor, As a former Pend Oreille County Commissioner (2012-2021), I am writing this letter as my full endorsement for John Gentle in his re-election campaign for Pend Oreille County Commissioner, District 1. Prior to my retirement, I had the opportunity to work with John when he was a newly elected Commissioner. I was amazed at how quickly John was able to grasp the job and make a difference for PO County. John quickly demonstrated one of the most important qualities necessary to successfully represent the people of Pend Oreille County.
John has an ability to communicate effectively by placing an emphasis on listening, asking questions, gathering information and keeping an open mind to evaluate all aspects of an issue prior to making a decision.
John asks great questions, and he genuinely wants to hear from all sides. John’s unwavering integrity, coupled with his communication, is the perfect fit as an elected official in our county. By gathering the facts and being armed with knowledge, people listen when John speaks!
He’s fiscally responsible and he represents us well at the county and state levels. He is always working to curb ridiculous spending at any level. John has demonstrated impeccable follow-through and a strong work ethic. Additional attributes include strong Christian values demonstrated by volunteerism to the community. John has been a volunteer at the Newport High School football program for the last 10 years.
Pend Oreille County is in good hands with John at the helm. A vote for John Gentle is a vote for the success of Pend Oreille County!
Please support our county’s success and cast your vote to re-elect John Gentle.
-Mike Manus Newport
Trump trials
To the editor, Trump’s “hush money” trial has turned disastrous for the prosecution. I guess when your “star” witnesses are an adult film star and a convicted felon (perjury), you might think that things could fall apart. However, the prosecutors are no better. They played in court, an audio recording of a conversation between Cohen and Trump that exonerated Trump. The MSM are howling with CNN’s Anderson Cooper saying that “this is the best day for Trump” “Cohen walked into a trap of lies and the defense shut the lid on him” (Cohen).
Michael Cohen’s former lawyer Robert Costello testified that back in 2018 Michael said “I swear Bob, I don’t have anything on Trump.” A Paralegal for NY DA Alvin Bragg, Mr. Jarmel-Schneider testified that three pages of phone record transcripts between Cohen and Keith Davidson (Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford)’s Attorney) had been deleted. It also came out in testimony that Cohen took out a line of credit on his house to pay Stormy the 130K.
The MSM is even saying that there is no evidence in this trial.
It’s going to be interesting to see what an 87% Democrat jury will do with this. As you know, Trump’s “Document’s” case in FL has crashed.
Special Counsel Jack Smith had to admit to Judge Cannon that he tampered with evidence during the Mar-a-Lago raid. That trial has been postponed “indefinitely.”
It appears to me that in their rush to get Trump, they fabricated some evidence along the way. I think their goal is to keep him off the campaign trail. He recently held a rally in “deep blue” New Jersey that drew nearly 100,000 supporters.
Because of all this, he seems to be gaining in popularity. If their plan was to sink him for the election, it looks like it backfired. This is election interference.
-Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick
SEE LETTERS, 7A What was the point of letter?
To the editor, What was the point of the Glen Pierce letter “Recent Polls”? He claims that 28% of mail-in voters admitted to casting at least one illegal ballot. That’s 18 million criminal mail-in voters nationwide. Glen thinks that 28% of Pend Oreille County voters cast illegal votes. Trump won the county with 67% in 2020 even though according to Glen’s letter, 2,414 county voters cast illegal mail-in votes for Biden. Biden received 2,593 votes or 30%. How does Trump win the county with all the illegal ballots claimed by Glen’s letter?
That’s the same election where every Republican candidate was elected or re-elected. How could this happen with Republicans in charge of the election? We need a local jail that will be able to incarcerate 2,414 felony voters. May I suggest leasing the Boy Scout camp at Diamond Lake. The sheriff is going to need at least 2,000 more handcuffs to arrest all the illegal voters in our community.
That’s what happens when someone trolls the internet looking for political propaganda to print in a letter to the editor. Another claim Glen made was that 8% were paid for their illegal voting. Did anyone get a check in the mail from George Soros?
Trump won in our county and 3 1/2 years later Glen still isn’t accepting the win for his political idol. You see, winning isn’t enough. I saw a recent social media post claiming anyone who voted for Biden is a traitor. In the authoritarian MAGA USA, there can be no opposition or legal votes for anyone but Trump. Every vote against him is illegal.
This November, I expect to see Glen down at the Courthouse voter drop box taking pictures of every car driver that puts his illegal mail-in ballot in the box. Write-in Pierce for Prosecuting Attorney.
-Pete Scobby Newport
Smiley threatens Deilke’s fiefdom
To the editor, On May 13th, Pend Oreille Republican Chair William Deilke filed papers with the County Auditor protesting the inclusion of County Commissioner Brian Smiley and Mr. Joe Seaney on the upcoming ballot as candidates for Precinct Committee Officers (PCO) for Metalline Falls and Metaline Precincts.
Part of the rationale for Deilke’s Protest was the alarmist belief that “outsiders” were attempting to infiltrate County Republican organizations. This has happened in Kitsap and Pierce counties.
Commissioner Smiley is hardly an unknown to County Republicans. They endorsed him in 2020, and his name appears on the POCR website under “County Elected Republicans.” How did that happen?
The POCR website also contains other instances of elected officials running for PCO, and PCOs running for elected office. Why is Commissioner Smiley different?
What’s the real reason for Deilke’s action?
The answer is simple. Control. With a few notable exceptions, POCR is Deilke’s petty fiefdom, populated by subservient cronies, ward-heelers and hacks. Deilke has run off or alienated many good people including other elected officials. Only sycophants and those with strong stomachs remain. Smiley threatens that control. He won’t kneel and kiss Dear Leader’s ring.
It remains to be seen if the approximately 420 voters of the Metaline and Metaline Falls Precincts will tolerate this usurpation. Break out the torches and pitchforks, folks. The peasants may well revolt.
-Norm Smith Diamond Lake
