Who’s the real threat?
With dismay I read a letter from the community last week, by Sue Kusch, and filed it under Religious Persecution.
She opined that people of “religion” (people of any faith) should not be voted in for public office as they will bring “their religion with them” and “those who wish to force their Christian nationalist beliefs into our personal lives and public institutions.” Sue Kusch, you need to be reminded of the First Amendment which guarantees people of (all) faith the right to practice their religion without restriction. That means, secular and religious citizens, have a right to equal voice, opportunity, and representation. To encourage others to eliminate a person of faith from serving in public institutions or anything, is religious persecution.
I believe people like you are far more dangerous and pose a greater threat to our Democratic Republic than Christian Nationalists.
Susan Kelsey
Goldendale
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You let us down
Last week’s “news analysis” of Candidates Night at the Grange left me irritated and disappointed with the writer of the article and the editor of the newspaper. I have a great deal of respect for the folks at The Sentinel, but I think they let us down with this one.
The intent of the article was stated by the writer at the start: “There is more to look at than just what the candidates had to say. The body and facial languages shown at the event gave insight into the true nature of each candidate.”
Really? By watching a person speak for a few minutes, on a single occasion, I can know their true nature by interpreting their body language? I find the idea presumptuous and absurd. I trust body language analysis as much as I trust my horoscope.
In the article, the writer detailed what she noticed about the candidates’ body language and facial expressions. In some instances, she stated what she thought was indicated. In other instances, she gave options for potential meanings. For example, she said that candidates who slouched in their chairs or rested against the tables could have been exhibiting unfriendliness, anxiety, or boredom. She also said that tense lips “scientifically” indicate dishonesty or frustration. Some candidates were praised by name for confident stance, focused gaze, genuine smile, or straight posture. Mercifully, perceived negative indicators and unflattering interpretations were given generally and were not pinned to candidates by name.
As I said earlier, the writer stated the intent of the article. Why is The Sentinel encouraging its readers to look past the words of local candidates to search for hidden motives? These people are our neighbors. They want to help make our county better. Most are not professional speakers, and it is natural to be nervous at such an event. I can think of many reasons that do not demean a person’s character that explain why he or she might exhibit body language that can be perceived as negative. It is preposterous to believe that a person’s “true nature” can be discerned by outward appearance.
Why don’t we just listen to what the candidates say and compare their words to their actions? We cannot truly know a person’s motives; we can only judge what he or she does.
The Sentinel usually does a fine job of factually reporting news and indicates when it is giving opinions. I encourage The Sentinel to stick to news and opinion and stay away from pseudoscience.
Watch the Candidates Night on YouTube and listen for yourself: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR4DyDDicwo
Cheri Harris
Goldendale
(Editor’s response: The Sentinel was not suggesting candidates be judged solely, or even chiefly, by body language. Nonetheless the study of bodily mannerisms is anything but a “pseudoscience.” There is a wealth of scientific documentation that most of human communication is non-verbal. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies have extensive trainings in reading body language. Books to help corporations and individuals make decisions about people based on body language rooted in solid studies, along with what they say, are plentiful. Political campaigns, all the way up to the presidential level, have been won and lost based on candidates’ physical mannerisms. Grace’s news analysis was based on college-level, well researched information on the topic. Having said that, all are strongly encouraged, as Cheri exhorts, to watch the video of the event to make their own determinations.)
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County rule?
What's wrong with being a constitutional sheriff?
Decide for yourself:
The “constitutional sheriff” notion is tied to the “county supremacy movement.” This posits the county, not the state or federal government, should control all county land, and the county sheriff is the ultimate law enforcement authority in the U.S. This idea was pioneered circa 1970by William Potter Gale, a white supremacist involved with Aryan Nations, Christian Identity, and the Posse Comitatus https://bit.ly/39lfRqj (origins associated with 1878 Posse Comitatus Act and Jim Crow).
What is a “constitutional sheriff”? The American Police Officers Alliance (APOA) defines “constitutional sheriff”: https://bit.ly/3EQmnRp.
Sheriff Songer was honored by the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association https://bit.ly/3PBJ4wU as the Constitutional Sheriff of the Year in 2019 https://bit.ly/3zcJq7M.
Consistent with this award, Songer’s actions and public statements have unequivocally demonstrated he uses his elected position to choose which laws, established by the will of the people, he will enforce and which he will ignore.
Constitutional sheriffs are neither constitutional scholars, lawyers, nor authorized by congress to designate laws unconstitutional; but they are, nonetheless, self-appointed arbiters of legislative authority.
This is antithetical to our system of government, the U.S. Constitution, and every state constitution. At best, constitutional sheriffs are ignorant of how our state and federal governments function under the rule of law. At worst, they are hypocrites or anarchists or fascists or combination thereof.
In any case, constitutional sheriffs work to weaken our rights and protections under the law, not to protect all of them.
Steve Heitmann
White Salmon
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I would like to give a big shoutout to Andy and Danielle and anyone else who helped put on this year’s Gay Pride event that took place on July 23 at the Dirty Cowgirl in Goldendale.
It was another fun and amazing event, just like last year’s. Once again the love, happiness, music, dancing, and energy everyone had was over the top!
The t-shirts they sold were awesome, and the free goodies they were handing out were so great, too.
And the most amazing part of the night was when the big G up on the hill over Goldendale was lit up with the Pride colors! It looked so beautiful up there. It made everyone happy and proud and I’m sure touched everyone’s heart, to be who we want to be and support the people we love.
I really enjoy this wonderful event that has been put on now for two years. It makes me happy to see the love and kindness and support everyone has.
We all have the right to choose what we want in our lives and to choose who we want to be. To be happy, to be loved, to find love, and to be accepted for who we are. Not to be judged, just to live life the way we want to, like every person should in this world.
You did a wonderful job again this year! We love you!
Regina Guzman
Goldendale