HART: Facts will show a statesman

Matthew 7:2 - For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged...

I have had the privilege of knowing Phil Hart for several

years. I have found him consistently genuine, a man of impeccable character, a real statesman (a terrific rarity these days), and a champion for the people of North Idaho.

Unlike most who talk and do nothing, Phil is one of the hardest working people I have ever met. It is not unusual to find him working late into the night long after most of us have gone to bed.

I know that it is easy to jump to conclusions when there are so many crooks and pretenders out there.

That was what the primary's political upheaval was all about. It's only to be expected that a few of the flushed phonies would want political revenge, and why should a few distorted facts stand in the way?

Phil has honestly and selflessly served Idaho faithfully for years as a rock-solid, model conservative, and he hasn't gotten rich doing it either. That is laughable to those who know him.

If you have read his book, how could you not expect him to be in conflict with the IRS? Only the close examination of the facts will truly determine him a criminal or a patriot, not the propoganda and hype of a political lynching.

Let's give Phil a chance to defend himself, and spare ourselves the guilt of being tricked into knifing our own friend, and one of Idaho's finest statesmen, in the back.

BRETT NICHOLS

Former Kootenai County Resident

Flint, Texas