OP-ED: Brooks: Misinformation, Birchers go hand in hand

It has come to my attention that some shadowy groups, loosely tied to the John Birch Society and the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, have initiated an attempt to recall me. Now it is truly “my turn” to address these charges — copied directly from their website and the one-page flyer they have been handing out.

CHARGE 1: Bill Brooks is against the 2nd Amendment sanctuary status for Kootenai County.

FACT: Bill is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. His position on the “sanctuary status” for Kootenai County is the same as Sheriff Bob Norris — he believes that in Idaho, we already have our Second Amendment rights fully protected. We both agree — a “Sanctuary Status” would very likely draw unwanted attention by the federal government.

Bill has been an NRA rifle instructor, an NRA pistol instructor and is currently one of the top National Skeet Shooting Association skeet instructors — Level III.

For anyone to suggest that Bill is “anti Second Amendment” is ignorant and offensive.

CHARGE 2: Bill Brooks “has put together a plan wherein most currently elected officials, including the Sheriff — would henceforth be appointed.”

FACT: Bill has long favored the formation of an independent commission of citizens to study the various forms of county government. There are seven under Idaho law, and that citizens study commission should make a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. If a change were recommended, the Commissioners would then place the question on the ballot for ALL registered voters of Kootenai County to vote up or down.

Opponents of the Study Commission don’t want any discussion or investigation to take place — denying the voters of the county their right to decide.

Individuals or special interest groups peddling this malarky, for some hidden reason, don’t want the people to have a say at the ballot box.

CHARGE 3: Bill changed his party affiliation from Republican to Independent.

FACT: True — but Bill’s political beliefs have not changed. The local Republican Party has changed. They have shamelessly chosen to bind themselves to the John Birch Society.

The Kootenai County Central Committee recently passed a unanimous resolution calling on all Republicans who don’t agree with the John Birch Society to leave the Republican Party. The JBS is a group that has attacked President Eisenhower, William F. Buckley and Ronald Reagan as secretly being agents of a secret communist conspiracy against America.

The local Republican Party has never supported or endorsed my candidacy and in fact, during each primary or general election, either supported those running against me and/or encouraged members to assist my opponents. I have never sought or desired the support of the KCRCC.

The local Republican Party has secretly long held these radical, extremist views. They are now in the open and full view. At their last meeting, the KCRCC passed a resolution openly declaring their views. In a corresponding article appearing in the Coeur d’Alene Press, one Republican leader called The John Birch Society the “Brain Trust” of the Republican Party.

I know many good conservative Republicans who would strongly disagree with that statement.

When I first ran for the office of County Commissioner, I vowed to limit myself to two terms — six years total. I stand by that promise.

I believe holding an elected office at any level should be public service — not a career. I am a Christian. I believe in our Constitution, as written by the Founding Fathers, and The Bill of Rights. The Second Amendment is, in my opinion, the most important in the Bill of Rights because it enables us to defend our other God-given rights as Americans.

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Commissioner Bill Brooks is a Coeur d'Alene resident.