NEWS: Sure spreads fast

Wow, it sure does not take long for word to get around. On Oct. 22, The Press announced that “If there are no rooms available, Kootenai Health is looking at transferring patients to hospitals in Seattle or Portland.” Then on Oct. 23, The Press published two letters from left coast dwellers telling us that we would not be welcome.

A writer from Corvallis, Ore., says, “Idaho has done everything wrong and I don’t think Oregon should rescue you until you become responsible and save yourselves.” Another writer from Bellevue, Wash., says, “This is your personal responsibility moment, Idaho. See to your own.”

Either these writers are voracious readers of small-town newspapers or they have some interest in the news from North Idaho. Whatever the case, “save yourselves” and “see to your own” are quite strong warnings. We can only wonder how representative of their neighbors these two writers are. They certainly must think they have a constituency, or they would not be publishing such dire threats.

Ever since 1864 when the capital of Idaho was moved from Lewiston to Boise, proposals have been floated to create a new Northwest state consisting of the area we call the Inland Empire. This new state has been given many names, the most popular being the State of Lincoln. It generally constitutes Washington east of the Cascades, Idaho north of the Salmon River and Montana west of the continental divide.

Do you reckon the time has come to have another look at those proposals?

BOB LaRUE

Hauser