Press editorial: Standing up for all the right reasons

It takes guts to oppose something with a name that includes “freedom” or “patriot” in it. Yet Idaho’s “Freedom” Foundation consistently thrashes some of the state’s best law- and policy-makers while honoring some of its worst, and the federal “Patriot” Act was an overreaction to the 9-11 terrorism that has taken years to modify so it accomplishes some of the good it should have been doing all along.

And so it is similarly difficult when someone is perceived as taking a swipe at the “Bible,” particularly in an election year. But that’s what Gov. Butch Otter did Tuesday when he vetoed one of the most misguided acts of pure panderism seen in this or any legislative session.

Thank God.

Legislators desperate to leave Boise with the public perception that they had struck a blow for Christianity — against the thundering herds of gay folk, Muslims and darned atheists, apparently — passed in the final hours “The Bible bill.” That bill specified the Bible for inclusion in public school curricula, which writers of the Idaho Constitution expressly forbade. No religious text can be favored over any other in a public school classroom.

In his wisdom and with no small measure of courage, Gov. Otter vetoed the bill because he recognized that lawsuits against public schools because of the flawed legislation were all but guaranteed. A devout Catholic himself, Otter was willing to be branded by some as anti-Bible because his constitutional duty demanded that he do what’s right on behalf of all the people of Idaho, not just eager-to-be-re-elected legislators.

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that as a U.S. representative during 9-11, Otter was one of just a handful of members of Congress to vote against the Patriot Act. Unlike most of his congressional colleagues and the vast majority of Americans, Otter recognized that the short-term legislative reaction could jeopardize our nation’s long-term freedom.

It also just so happens that Otter is a frequent target of Idaho Freedom Foundation criticism. In our view, that only strengthens his already substantial credibility.

We applaud the governor for standing against bad legislation but also extend a passionate request to him: Sit down with Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and figure out how to work together, rather than engage further in a verbal gunfight. These are two of Idaho’s very finest leaders. For the good of the entire state, respect each other’s responsibilities and press forward.