Letters to the Editor 01/09/2019

To the Editor:

Governments, like citizens often make good decisions, and, unfortunately poor decisions. Case in point: the new circle at Barclay and Highway 20.

It was a good decision to improve cross-traffic access with the circle construction. It was also a good decision to place art work in the circle and to hold a selection process. Then, some traffic person made the goofy decision to place four large rectangular motion arrow signs in all four circle entrances, effectively blocking any reasonable view of the artwork.

Beside being ugly, these signs provide no purpose. There are already circular arrow signs on all four approaches to the circle that direct traffic in a counter-clockwise direction. Furthermore, there are large, raised, concrete islands separating incoming and outgoing traffic in all four directions. A vehicle operator would have to drive over and through fixed concrete barriers to attempt turning in the wrong direction.

If existing signage and concrete barriers can't deter wrong-way drivers, they have no business operating a vehicle. Those large, redundant arrow signs need to be removed, immediately, and a view of the circle restored. Still time to correct a poor decision.

Bruce Carpenter

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To the Editor:

I'd like to respond to a couple of letters regarding the book "George," by Alex Gino, being approved for Sisters Middle School.

First I would say it is absolutely the responsibility of public schools to teach about gender politics. That is what social studies and government classes are for.

All politics are gender politics because we live in a gendered society, and it is important for the children of said society to learn all about it.

I would also argue that no one is changing their sex by choice because as you said, changing your biological sex is impossible. It is, however, possible to change one's gender as gender is a social construct and not solely based on biology.

I would also point out that in the United States we have this nifty thing called separation of church and state. If you feel that strongly that your children shouldn't learn certain things about the society they live in because it goes against your interpretation of your religion then perhaps you should home-school them or send them to a private Christian school that shares your same values.

I, for one, applaud the Sisters School District for including this book and hope it stays on the list of suggested reading. I know I would have loved to have had access to this book and others like it while I was attending Sisters Middle School.

Bobby Christensen

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To the Editor:

In the New Testament of the Bible, we read that God sent Jesus Christ to show the world that ALL are welcome.

Christ's life was filled with unlikely characters who were previously shunned in their cultures. Jesus represents the love for those "outsiders" and their equal place in God's kingdom. Nothing about his life fit the protocol of the times with religious leaders who had it all backwards. If you believe that God sent his Son, then you must also accept that some things needed to be turned upside down by Christ. Was this God's mistake, the need to send a true representative of Love, knowing that even he would not be accepted or tolerated by people?

Despite our selfish, hostile and often hateful view of some of God's children, God declared that there is room for those who are different. A book about a transgender child is a great lesson of this love and acceptance, the kind of love professed by Christ. Some who feel threatened by inclusion and understanding are only revealing their misunderstanding of Christ's message and trying to deny that message. God goes ahead and makes room for the outsider despite our protests.

As far as whether or not God made mistakes, we must remember that we were given Free Will. This has allowed our mistakes in how we treat each other, damage the earth and refuse to welcome those in need. These are not God's mistakes, but the mistakes of humans.

Unless you are gay or transgender, you have no seat in the judgment of those who are. Christ never mentioned it, thus it would appear to be insignificant to him.

On the other hand, if God makes no mistakes, then please explain cheat grass and knapweed.

Bonnie Malone

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To the Editor:

Thanks to the poor soul who has to clip and paste all those photos into what has become a fun New Year's tradition, trying to find and count everyone we know!

The other surprising aspect is realizing how many folks I don't know... yet!

Keep it up, please, and give the "collager" a bonus!

Wendie Vermillion

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To the Editor:

I wanted to send a huge thank-you for the holiday cheer that accompanied my evening commute home from work along Highway 20 this season. All the lights and displays brightened my spirits, but especially the large tree and Santa and his reindeer atop the gatepost near the passing lanes and from afar, that glorious, artistic tree off Snow Creek Rd.

It was simply, stunningly, beautiful. I have those visuals fixed in my head now that darkness has once again descended. Insert heartfelt emojis here.

Ellen Adams

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To the Editor:

Re: "Former Sisters priest sentenced to 25 years in prison," (The Nugget, December 23)-

I read the Idaho Statesman's article and noted this foul creature actually petitioned the court to allow him to stay out of jail so he could lecture on the evils of the crimes he is convicted of. His reasoning? He can do "good" by doing so, but in jail his audience would not be as receptive.

I would think not.

Echoes of "the bad pastor" in Sisters in 2004, also arrested and convicted of child-related crimes and sentenced to 17 years in prison, resonated with me upon reading of this disgraced "priest."

Perhaps the two will become cellmates?

Greg Walker