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GOP: Featured extremist pundit

| April 4, 2021 1:00 AM

Michelle Malkin was invited to our community last week by our local Kootenai County Republican Central Committee. She peddles white supremacy and nationalism cloaked in a purported love of God and country. And yes, I heard her speak.

Spoiler alert: You don’t have to be white to be a white supremacist. White supremacy is a system rooted in racism that preserves privilege and power for some while negatively impacting others. Michelle props up this system by proudly supporting and aligning herself with Nick Fuentes, leader of the Groypers, and Gavin McInnes, founder of the Proud Boys. Like it or not, we are judged by the company we keep, as well as what we say and do.

Idaho is too great to be hijacked by extremist pundits. Complex issues such as immigration require a concerted effort to seek pragmatic solutions based on reality, not fear. Close to 50% of workers in Idaho’s farming, fishing, and forestry industries are immigrants. A complete immigration moratorium, as Michelle promotes, would have drastic negative effects on Idaho’s economy.

We know from recent events that messages of racial and social intolerance lead to senseless acts of violence against Americans of diverse racial, social and religious backgrounds. Such intolerance should have no place in our community. I believe the majority of my fellow Idahoans care about our country, our community and each other.

Let’s recognize and celebrate our ability to draw on our diversity and work together to successfully solve the complex issues of our time. Extremism, no thanks.

SARAH SWANBY

Coeur d’Alene