Backs Kathy Dawes
We in Latah County need a representative who will defend our libraries, our teachers and our freedom to make our own health care decisions. We need a represenative who believes in fully supporting public education. We need a representive who will work across the aisle for all the people in our community.
Kathy Dawes will be such a representative. Please join me this fall in supporting Kathy for Idaho House Seat 6B.
Walter Hesford
Moscow
Back to the middle, Idaho
Proposition 1 Open Primaries Initiative is not confusing to understand. Ask any of the 97,000 registered Idaho voters who signed the petition to get open primaries and ranked choice voting for the general election on the ballot. You can vote for one candidate or you can rank your choices from one to four in the general election.
Those of us who vote for conservative candidates on some issues and more inclusive candidates on other issues should not have to join a political party to remain issue voters. Those of us who witnessed the Republican Party bosses publically chastise Lori McCann for her votes representing her constituents rather than fealty to the party was a sad demonstration of what the Idaho Republican Party has morphed into.
As a lifelong Idaho resident, these are not the political leaders I want running the Legislature of Idaho. I should not be required to join this Republican Party as suggested by Bob Hassoldt in the Lewiston Tribune (Sept. 1) to vote for reasonable conservative candidates. We should all be able to vote for candidates that represent our values not the “Idaho Values” as defined by the current Idaho Republican Party.
The web site Idahoans for Open Primaries has details and explanations. We are smart enough to figure this out. Let’s move back to the middle, Idaho. Vote Yes on 1 for Open Primaries.
Dee Blair
Moscow
Change of venue arguments insulting
How insulting to the local community to use as a reason for change of venue for the Kohberger trial that violence and destruction would happen. If the defense attorneys present lawful evidence to acquit the defendant, including a credible alibi, potential other suspects or alternative reasons for the killings of the students, of course the jury and community would be convinced according to instructions they are sworn to follow.
It sort of seems the defense feels that their evidence is not credible enough to convince an educated college town through a lawfully chosen jury, interviewed and sworn to make decisions based on truthful, well-documented facts that the defendant should be released. The onus is on the defense team to reveal facts that they can defend to a jury no matter where the jury hears them. Violence and courthouse burning would never be acceptable with or without facts the defense will present.
Even if their case was presented credibly in a different venue leading to an acquittal that disappoints the community in Moscow, whatever the response is (and as a 60-year resident of the Palouse, I don’t believe it would be violent destruction of courthouse or lives), why would we not expect the same response here to the verdict to convict or acquit, no matter where it is reached? If an appeal is demanded, that will be far more credible in the venue where the trial takes place. I don’t believe the defense team knows any of the venues they suggest well enough to guess at the response to evidence that is truly lawfully presented.
The expense, logistics of changing venues, and and unproven assumptions of response to a legally defensible verdict, convince me we should continue the proceedings where both prosecution and defense have been building their case.
Kathy Warren
Moscow
‘Back to League’ event next week
The League of Women Voters, Moscow invites Moscow residents to our annual “Back to League” event on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 5:30 p.m. at the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI).
We are a nonpartisan political organization focused on active participation in government through education and advocacy. The League has served our community for over 70 years by hosting candidate forums, conducting studies on local issues, registering voters and educating citizens on important topics of the day.
If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities, meeting new friends and investing in our community we would encourage you to join us at Back to League. Everyone is welcome to attend and become members of the League (it’s not just for women!). We hope to see you there.
Kylee Britzman
President, League of Women Voters, Moscow
Vote Julia Parker
You may refer to the Sept. 10 Daily News article, “Parker winning money war.” Not so much for the money data, but for the candidate views presented. Julia Parker is correct that her opponent isn’t listening to the district. I say a candidate who condemns his constituency, especially with foul language when he speaks out, who is riddled with negativity and is out of touch with real issues, who chooses to pontificate his rigid ego stance, he is a dismal candidate that can surely be bettered by someone knowledgeable, constructive and humane.
Julia Parker possesses those better qualities. I routinely attend Moscow City Council, various city meetings and workshops, and serve on two volunteer commissions. I’ve witnessed Julia in action on council and meetings, as council liaison for both those commissions, and in one-on-one discussions. She engages people with an ear to learn. She questions and explores alternatives. She is empathetic with people from where they are at. Julia recognizes assets found and shared in a diversity of attitudes and resources. She speaks honestly from her heart and steadfast integrity.
Julia brings a professional career in service of improving the welfare of others and enabling them to be stronger and meeting their needs. She has functioned well on the community stage and local government. Her voice isn’t the brashest one in a room but it’s a voice listened to and that carries breadth and weight. A calm, insightful hand leads the way. Julia can lead.
If you want someone to back your right to stand as an individual in a world that needs and wants you to dream, prosper, engage and work for a better life in a world of possibilities, vote for Julia Parker.
Victoria Seever
Moscow
My visit to Ukraine
The 2022 battle of Bucha, a western suburb of Kyiv, lasted 13 days before the Russian invaders were turned back. In addition to widespread destruction of houses, schools, businesses, churches and other buildings, the Russians left compelling evidence of their atrocities in the form of mass graves of civilians and slain children. Many other children were abducted and disappeared.
There was also mass looting, rape and torture by Russian forces. Where the Russians were halted, I saw long blocks of destroyed houses and apartments. I saw where Russians had shot civilians and stolen thousands of cars, and anything else they could loot and send home.
Thanks in part to American and NATO missile defense systems and other military support, the Russians retreated from much of the territory and the cities they initially occupied.
As I toured western Ukraine in July, I witnessed the horrible damage that the Russians inflicted. My desire to visit Ukraine was partly related to fatigue with current U.S. political divisiveness and anxiety concerning our November election. I am sure many readers know these feelings.
On the positive side, I was able to interact with Ukrainians going about their lives while actively defending their freedom and independence. Their sacrifices continue to be monumental, although they are dependent on the U.S. and NATO nations to keep the aggressor Russians bay. The U.S. investment in preserving Ukrainian independence is insignificant compared to the cost of containing Putin later.
Ukrainians are closely watching our election. They know that Trump has spoken of an appeasement plan that will force Ukrainians to negotiate with Putin, meaning they are likely to lose the territories they have fought so hard to retain, and Putin would have an incentive to continue to expand his empire to the west, as the Nazis expanded east beginning in 1939.
Richard E. Shafer
Pullman
