I am so very embarrassed by the treatment of persons of color and anyone with an alternative life style or religious belief in our country. The ICE assault on our immigrant population is a sad acknowledgment of the prejudice of our leaders. Our Supreme Court allowing ICE to profile Americans based on perceptions that they look like an immigrant defies the tenants on which our country was built.
I am frightened by the state of women’s health care in Idaho, we have lost so many OBGYN’s that access in many parts of the State is a serious issue. I cannot believe that Idaho has created a budget problem for itself with its tax cuts. Just as unnerving is the $50 million, likely unconstitutional Voucher program passed last year and the efforts to expand the program planned for this Legislative session. Add the mean spirited right wing influence of Dorothy Moon and her cronies and Idaho is in dire straights.
I just finished a Louis Penny novel called Black Wolf. She is an exceptional writer and I enjoy the characters that she creates along with the town of Three Pines-a mythical Canadian village. This book follows the Grey Wolf book that you would want to read first. At any rate, the Chief Inspector is a Poirot like detective whose thought process is very complex and creative. As the Black Wolf unfolds discussions of Animal Farm and l984 are woven into the analysis of the diabolical plots. I now have both of those books on my re-read list. There are some frightening similarities to the direction of our current administration.
I grew up with a fear of Boo Radley, the mysterious and reclusive neighbor in the classic “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Nothing I read in my early teens is more memorable, well maybe the Hardy Boys. When we would walk home late at night my friend and I would also try to joke about Boo at every dark house we would pass. When I saw the book on a 10 best books ever written I had to refresh my memory.
Today a book refresh is done with Audible or Kindle and excellent professional readers. I am nearly finished with the book and it is so sad and depressing. The depiction of the south and its treatment of black American’s is disheartening. The trial of an innocent Black man highlights the belief that white folk are superior to black’s. Atticus Finch is ostracized for defending a black man and must worry about retribution for a tenacious defense of an innocent man. So many parallels to what we are experiencing in our country today. There is hope, Jim and Scout, the children understand the inequity and callous treatment of other’s is just not right. Shameful is a common word in the text and is the best description of the prejudice then and now in our great country.
I attended the Idaho Business Review Excellence In Leaders Awards last night. There were many exceptional professionals recognized for their contributions in the Law and Finance. I want to give a shout out to my friend and long time banking associate, Joel Hickman. Joel reminded us that “this is not about me” and invested his time in recognizing and thanking those people who had been instrumental in his success. It was a refreshing approach to a meaningful career of service to his company, clients, co-workers and mentors.
Keep the faith, our country is now heading toward a brighter tomorrow, don’t stop pushing to save our freedom and democracy. Mike
Shameful
