Since Sen. Tammy Nichols doesn’t understand what extremism is, here’s a definition | Opinion

Extremism

So Sen. Tammy Nichols thinks that calling extremists “extremists” is name-calling. That’s rich coming from a politician whose party leader is arguably the world-champion name caller. Remember “Crooked Hillary,” “Sleepy Joe,” “Pocahontas,” “Crazy Nancy”? There’s even a Wikipedia page devoted to it. Besides, “extremist” is a description of someone whose ideas are not in the mainstream of thought at the time, not an epithet like “crazy” or “crooked,” neither of which could be seen as neutral descriptors.

It’s interesting that extremists take such offense at being called “extremists.” I guess they regard themselves as pretty mainstream.

If you think demolition of the wall between church and state, depriving women of autonomy, banning books you don’t like, and ignoring our national history of racism are mainstream ideas, then Senator Nichols and her cohort are not extremists. If you find these ideas preposterous, they are.

Mary Mosley, Meridian

Forest plan

The Idaho Statesman recently published an article regarding the draft resource management plan proposed by the US Forest Service for the Nez Perce-Clearwater forest. This is a plan for our land that includes cutting old growth trees and clear cutting applicable lands without input from Idahoans. When old growth trees are taken, the area is replaced with logging roads, skid trails and jammers. This area is revegetated with buck brush, black currant, nine bark, service berries and small pine trees. On a dry year, I can’t imagine a better tinderbox for a forest fire than this.

Bill Belknap, Boise

COVID

Regarding the recent opinion on the seasonal waves of Covid, influenza and RSV: An alternative theory, seldom mentioned in mainstream media though based in science, is that levels of Vitamin D vary, per the season, and with relative indoor/outdoor times.

Vitamin D levels decline in winter, as people move inside in northern latitudes.

People apply sunscreen in summer (outdoors) and move inside for air-conditioning, both of which block formation of Vitamin D in summer.

Vitamin D is extensively researched for its role on immunity, and particularly immunity against respiratory viruses, such as Covid.

A basic principle of “nature cure” was moderate sunbathing, such as in Europe’s mountain sanitariums recommended by doctors, and effective as a cure, by nature immersion, against diseases of Western civilization. One example, these clinics were known as being one of the earliest, safe and effective treatments of tuberculosis. London’s smog from clouds and coal made Vitamin D deficiency common. Another condition being rickets, which is caused by lack of Vitamin D.

A few steps may help: sunbathe without sunblock for 10-20 minutes in the early morning or evening, regardless of season. Avoid sun burning.

Breathe fresh air, and touch the earth. Be well.

Brent Matheu, Boise

Solar

For those of us who have solar power, time is running out to comment on Idaho Power’s proposed changes to net metering. All comments must be received by Oct. 12. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission decided not to hold public hearings; instead, the commission staff is having two virtual public workshops. The first workshop is 6-9 p.m., or until all customers’ questions have been answered, whichever comes first, on Sept. 6. The second workshop is noon-3 p.m. on Sept. 7.

Harold Jackson, Mountain Home

Air show

Regarding the Idaho Air Show Aug. 26. I live approximately 1 mile from the airport. The noise of these jets is absolutely horrible. I am a 68-year-old retired man. I was napping on the couch and all of a sudden, a very loud noise woke me up and scared the (heck) out of me. If I had a bad heart, it would have killed me. Even though I know what it is now, it still makes me feel very uneasy. I believe this is unacceptable to let these jets fly at such a low altitude over or near any houses. When you see other air shows around the country, they are always quite a way from residential areas.

Mark Walton, Boise

Biden

I would like to know why so many of the people of Idaho have a hate for President Biden?

Are you mad about the high price of gasoline? If so, then you only have your Republican Congress and Senators that you elected. The Democrats have submitted bills to stop the oil company from shipping out 70% of the oil they extract from American soil. Are you mad about Inflation? Then ask your Congress people why they voted against the investigation of price gouging by the corporations.

President Biden is not a dictator; he can only approve or veto the bills congress submits. But it appears that not one of all the Republicans that ran on the platform of inflation is willing to do a thing to curb the high cost of items. Those Republicans that you elected are more willing for you to suffer the price gouging by the corporations, than to do something to help you.

But all those Republicans that were elected have had no problem, wasting taxpayers’ dollars on investigations that lead to nothing.

Are you mad about the people crossing the border? A lot of those problems are from previous American policies.

Jerry Johnson, Payette

Trump

Trump’s latest scheme to raise money for his mounting legal fees is to sell stuff with the words emblazoned under his mug shot, “Never Surrender.”

He has already surrendered every time he has been criminally processed and fingerprinted, and at the last surrender, had his mug shot taken.

His claim of “election interference” is also just a tad bit of irony given the fact that he is still, however futile, interfering with the 2020 presidential election by claiming it was rigged.

Mary Feeny, Boise

AIDS relief

I was disappointed to see arecent story about PEPFAR, an incredibly important global health program that has saved 25 million lives.

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief was founded in 2003 by President George W. Bush to stem the deadly tide of HIV/AIDS, largely in Africa. PEPFAR remains one of the most successful global health programs in history – a courageous achievement of bipartisan leadership.

This story misses the humanity of PEPFAR – 25 million mothers, fathers, children saved from a preventable, treatable disease. More than 5 million healthy babies have been born without needing a lifetime of medicine to survive.

It also ignores our significant contributions to ending HIV/AIDS. According to the ONE Campaign, Idahoans alone have helped PEPFAR save 65,339 lives globally since 2003. That’s equivalent to the entire population of Caldwell. We should be extremely proud of this life-saving legacy and ensure its continuation.

To allow a program that is currently saving millions of people’s lives to lapse would be an incredible surrender of moral leadership. I urge Representative Fulcher, Senators Risch and Crapo, and their fellow lawmakers to keep saving precious lives – PEPFAR must be reauthorized this year.

Ali Escalante, Boise