PARADE: Another disappointment

The Independence Day Parade (here in Coeur d’Alene) provided yet another surprising and disappointing insult.

I stood in the rain for the parade with my family until the last entry made it down the street—only to be shocked and disappointed by the largest group in the parade. Yes, larger then the Perfection-Not’s and Blazing Divas. The group (in the full view of my wife, children, and grandchildren) was a murder hungry vicious gathering of persons shouting obscene angry claims to their “right” to end the life of another human being. Moreover, I suspect they were not locals…

I guess Pride in the Park and the accompanying “drag queen” debauchery was not enough! Now we have a public demand for the freedom to murder? When will we wake up and see this stuff for what it is—a shame (and worse) upon our great city. I for one just can’t stomach the evil.

Adding to that horrid display was the “Idaho Rejects Hate” campaign (I saw only a few T-shirts) and our failure to think with any clarity about the statement.

Let me go on the record as a hater. I hate murder, I hate rape, I hate incest, I hate war, I hate abusiveness, I hate injustice, I hate inequity, I hate poverty, I hate addiction, I hate all that harms… Do I need to elaborate? Please Coeur d’Alene, wake up! True love requires the hatred of that which harms!

I realize that freedom of expression, freedom of speech, etc. makes allowances for opinions we may not enjoy. I realize that those with differing opinions have the “right” to participate in the public square. However, are we allowing ourselves to become numb to the wickedness on display? Is there no standard remaining?

Please Coeur d’Alene! We call ourselves a “City of Excellence.” If we allow these things to continue we will be forced to re-brand who and what we are!

PAUL D. VAN NOY

Coeur d’Alene