Arming the Redoubt
When I was asked to cover local politics here I believed that it would be fairly low stress. Boy! — was I wrong. Events over the past few weeks have brought the rest of the nation to the forefront of local politics. As the old saying goes, “All politics is local.” The atrocity that occurred in Orlando, Florida sent out shock waves that covered the entire country. In the US Senate partisanship swept aside all rationale thought. The House recessed in the midst of a ‘sit-in’. The extremes of both ends of the political spectrum howled in outrage and as has become Congress’ habit, nothing got done. People on the ‘No Fly’ list can still buy damned near any weapon they want – with proper ID. The loopholes that allow convicted felons and domestic abusers to buy weapons at gun shows still exist. The funerals and memorials weren’t even over when we’ve apparently returned to the status quo. I am embarrassed to note that both of Idaho’s Senators voted to keep the loopholes in our laws and regulations intact. They wouldn’t want to lose a dime of the NRA’s money. The 114th Congress is setting new standards for inertia and partisanship. The only good thing I’ve seen is that every Senator had to state publicly where they stood on these votes. It appears that the money that the NRA dumps into campaign funding was well spent. NRA – 53: National Public Opinion – Zero. Now we can see exactly how unlimited money influences politics. By the by, according to those that keep track of such things, the NRA spends approximately $36 million per year just on the Senate. It’s a safe bet that far and away the majority of that goes to the GOP. Aren’t you glad you continue to send the NRA your dues? Speaking of the NRA, even they backed off from supporting ‘presumptive GOP Presidential nominee’, Donald Trump, when he said that it would have been better if several of the patrons at ‘Pulse’ in Orlando had been armed when the shooter came into the club. I have to admit that the NRA may have
by Gil Beyer
been right on that. I don’t think anybody really wants a room full of people consuming alcohol armed with semiautomatic weapons. Having armed people in bars doesn’t seem to bother Idaho legislators or our Governor, though. The list of places that you can’t carry guns will get shorter when ‘permitless carry’ comes into effect on July 1st. If I’m reading this new law correctly, the only places one can’t carry a weapon are courthouses, jails or schools (unless one has an enhanced carry permit). It appears that libraries and city streets are now okay, along with any retail establishment that hasn’t put up the appropriate signage. I know that I, for one, will feel a lot safer when I see people with guns near the children’s reading areas of our library. This new carry law really cheapens my privileges as an elected official. When this law goes into effect, everybody will have the same ‘rights’ as anyone who has ever won a race for elected office. It almost isn’t worth my while to pick up my election certificate from the county Clerk. Come to think of it, that may be why so many far right Republicans ran for precinct committee person a few years back. Because those elected can legally carry without the hassle of having to get a permit. Wouldn’t want any ‘government’ interference with Second Amendment rights. Another item that attracted my attention is the apparently firm belief amongst the far right that state legislators have the power to affect federal policy on international relations. Recently I witnessed a discussion where it was stated in no uncertain terms that state legislators could impact international relationships. In last year’s Special Session of the Idaho Legislature, this was the underlying concept. A few legislators tried to infer that by passing a state law that made it easier to collect child support payments in other states and countries could lead to an international usurpation of Idaho’s sovereignty by an Islamic country. I’m sorry, but that is ludicrous on its face. Idaho, with a total population of 1.65
Here in the Middle A retired Navy man, Gil Beyer has served as a library trustee and on the county Planning & Zoning board, (where he had the distinction of being fired from a volunteer position). He is currently the county Democratic State Committeeman and LD1 Chair.
40vintage@gmail.com million, doesn’t qualify as a gnat when it comes to international policies. Our Idaho legislators should concentrate on making Idaho as good as it can be and leave international relations to the adults in the room. One more item of interest before I forget. I’ve heard that there is a real estate company operating in both Bonner and Boundary counties that is actively seeking purchasers for property that they identify as having ‘defensible space’. These buyers are coming from all over the nation to join the ‘The Redoubt.’ The Redoubt is an idea that north Idaho, eastern Washington, western Montana and Wyoming should become a new nation. This new nation would be based on Jeffersonian principles like states’ rights, an economy based on the gold standard and minimal governmental interference in the citizen’s lives. The reason for the ‘defensible space’? Well, when the national government collapses, they will be able to fend off all those urban dwellers that come to this Utopia. This idea is not new. It’s been tried before in many different places and guises. Throughout history I have never found a successful outcome occurring with this premise. Seems some people will do anything for a buck. With the official start of summer we can look forward to four fun-filled months before the election in November. I know that I’ll be looking for more memorable quotes from our candidates as they try to convince us they are really working in our best interests. Try selling that snake oil to the working people who still can’t afford health insurance. Until next month take care.
July 2016
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