Now, let's talk about citizens' rights

Candidates for Kootenai County sheriff faced a firing squad of questions today at a candidate forum hosted by the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans Committee. The full story will be in tomorrow's Press.

The announced candidates were vetted to determine their stances on topics like jail expansion, unionization, deputy training and wages.

At one point, each of the candidates, all with decades of law enforcement experience, was asked if he supports citizens' rights.

Yes, each one answered.

Every stone should be turned, of course, but what kind of answers were they expecting to this question?

Does anyone think a candidate would say, "I generally don't favor citizens' rights. I lean more to the side of exploitation and slavery"?

Tom Hasslinger is a Coeur d'Alene Press staff writer. He can be reached in the newsroom at (208) 664-8176 ext. 2010 or by email, thasslinger@cdapress.com