HATE: No home in N. Idaho

The message of Jesus included, “Let he who is without sin throw the first stone.” Some “Christians” throw stones at everyone different from them. There is a political movement brewing, stewing in the same cauldron that boiled over with Nazis. It’s a simple formula. Take poor people without hope. Trump pitched his scam, “What have you got to lose?” We are finding out…a lot.

In North Idaho, the Aryan Nations “Christians” bombed three places the same day. Their guards attacked a minority woman and son for no reason. The subsequent lawsuit drove them out of town and funded a Peace Center where the compound was and a Human Rights Education Institute downtown.

There were yearly permitted marches in Coeur d’Alene by a handful of this group spewing hate. No one came but the press. A rally for peace in a park far away was well attended. Bill Wassmuth, a Roman Catholic priest, whose home was bombed by the Aryan Nations, subsequently became head of the Northwest Coalition for Human Dignity.

What happened in Charlottesville could happen in many other places. Why not emulate Coeur d’Alene? Don’t give them the platform they crave. Don’t get in their faces. Ignoring them is like pouring water on the Wicked Witch of the West.

Better yet, have a separate rally far away from them, emphasizing what the majority of Americans believe…Love conquers hate. One nation under God.

HARVEY SCHWARTZ

Bellingham, Wash.

Editor’s note: Mr. Schwartz is a former 10-year Coeur d’Alene resident.