OFFICIALS: Taking kitchen temperature

I am at a loss to explain the behavior, or more precisely, the lack of certain behaviors practiced by so many of our new generation of “public” officials.

Who do they believe they owe their loyalty to? Are they guided by just their own avoidance of discomfort, or by directives from political parties or leadership, or by what they genuinely believe is in our public interest? I have some perspective on the topic as an elected official myself for 25+ years.

How and when did so many of these new folks come to believe that it is somehow OK, or proper, or in the public interest whatsoever to constantly make themselves unavailable to the public that elected them and the Press? I’m not just talking about the Coeur d’Alene Press, but the Press referred to in the First Amendment of the Constitution of our United States.

There is a famous saying attributed to Harry Truman, “If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.” Wise and true words for sure.

I will close with some other wisdom from good old Harry, who people used to affectionately refer to as “Give em Hell” Harry. He said he never actually gave anyone Hell, he just told the truth and they thought it was Hell.

DAN ENGLISH

Coeur d'Alene