Dear HCN,
Stephen Lyons’ finely
crafted bull’s-eye prose on Idaho will no doubt draw the ire of
people who love the state (HCN, 3/16/98). His frank assessment of
the neighborhood is as welcome as an empty larder to starving
children.
Keep in mind that all of Mr. Lyons’
examples are quite current. Keep in mind that the politicians he
assails were elected by a majority of Idahoans. Keep in mind that
this is a state that prefers new prisons to adequate schools.
Realize that outside of Gov. Phil Batt and Coeur d’Alene Mayor
Steve Judy, no prominent politician has the brass to step forward
and condemn northern Idaho’s racial reputation. In short, there is
ample evidence that this is Idaho, not the sensationalistic musings
of the National Enquirer. And there is ample evidence that the
people in power prefer it this way or it would have changed long
ago.
The best possible result of Mr. Lyons’ piece
would be more than a prolonged debate over Idaho’s flaws. Instead,
we need significant evidence that the state is capable of better.
Knowing Idaho, the result instead will be derision of Mr. Lyons and
denial of the blatantly
obvious.
K.R.
Olsen
Northern
Idaho
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Don’t blame the messenger.
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