This is what Idahoans should look like

Idaho is having an identity crisis.

Jim Burkhardt of Post Falls is galloping to the rescue.

As recent elections have shown, Idaho’s division isn’t so much between extreme left and extreme right as it is from extreme center and extreme right. You’d think that’s a gulf that would be easy to bridge, but it’s not. And not because the centrists have gone cuckoo.

Thanks to Mr. Burkhardt, however, we think we’ve found a portrait of an ideal Idahoan, one many of us could point at and say, “That could be us. That should be us.”

You’re about to read Jim’s letter to the editor, which smacks of a beautiful balance between common sense and consideration for others — traits that once were Idaho hallmarks and can be again.

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During a recent flight from Dulles to Denver, a United Airlines flight attendant provided me with my complimentary bag of pretzels. I slid my mask down the front of my face to consume the offering.

As I was eating my pretzels, a flight attendant informed me that I was not in compliance with United's mask-wearing policy. I was told that I was expected to mask up between each pretzel I consumed.

Further, I was told that I was not being considerate to the health of those around me.

For the record, I am fully vaccinated, about to get my booster shot and I believe in wearing masks when the circumstances dictate. I thought of objecting to this obvious example of COVID paranoia. But, I didn't want to be one of those people you read about in the news that gets thrown off a plane somewhere in North Dakota and then have to find my way home.

Shortly thereafter, the lead flight attendant walked by. I described my earlier interaction with the first flight attendant and asked if this was, in fact, United's policy. He informed me it was. He said the cabin crew thought the policy was nuts and encouraged me to contact United and complain.

Instead of sending an email to United's Customer Service, I thought I'd do something that's hopefully more effective. Whenever you are booking a flight out from Spokane International, just remember that there are more chewable friendly choices out there than United Airlines.

JIM BURKHARDT

Post Falls