Separating patriots from pretenders

It was with a saddened heart, but not a surprised mind, that I read the editor's hit piece in the paper on Friday, Feb. 25, regarding my public comment statement (which was completely taken out of context) to the Hayden City Council concerning Jeanette Laster of the Human Rights Institute. Laster made a request to the city to "increase their messaging around inclusivity and discrimination, bringing forth a strong statement from the mayor and city council condemning acts of violence, inhumanity, and racism."

Laster is concerned about the possibility of a private event being held in Hayden by a white supremacy group. She wants the community to "stand strong in our dislike against ideology that threatens to further alienate and marginalize certain groups in our community."

It's well known that the Human Rights Institute's purpose is to “Celebrate diversity and promote human rights …” which is code for progressivism and all the socialist agenda promotes. Once she finished speaking, I felt a weight of oppression fill the council chambers.

Under the guise of promoting human rights, white people — the current whipping boy of our culture — were once more being alienated and marginalized. As the only minority in that room who has never experienced racism in North Idaho, I had a duty and obligation to take a stand against a white woman once again telling all the other whites that I, and other minorities, were being oppressed and the city of Hayden must do something about it.

What exactly is the definition of a “white supremacist” in today's ever-evolving lexicon?

According to mainstream media and "woke" culture, today's white supremacists/terrorists/right-wing extremists love God and America, are pro-life, pro-God, pro-traditional marriage, pro personal responsibility, pro-equality — not equity, pro-second Amendment, pro-fiscal conservatism, pro-American and state sovereignty, pro-hard work and ambition, pro-character over skin color, and actually believe in math as non-negotiable.

So, when I stood to decry the blame game of white supremacy and oppression by saying white supremacists are patriots, I was referring to the above definition and the meaning behind the sign I sometimes carry in jest, since anyone looking at me can obviously see I am not white.

I received applause once I completed my comments. Not one person in that council chamber believed I was standing for the true meaning of white supremacy, but rather reacting to the "woke" definition and the foolishness of the Left's agenda to further divide us by emphasizing racial differences. As a minority, I'm tired of being the weapon the Left uses against non minorities.

Was racism ever an issue in our country? Of course! But it has now been twisted and distorted and used against patriotic Americans, as well as minorities. How else can anyone explain why Columbia University now has separate housing and multicultural graduation ceremonies, yet white people are excluded from having their own such gatherings?

It's shameful and obvious that the editor of the CDA Press did not attend the meeting or watch the video, let alone contact me for clarification. Instead, thanks to their biased piece, there have been over 100,000 views on a progressive site decrying my stand as being a "white supremacist."

How anyone can watch that video and not see the true intent, meaning, and context baffles me.

I was not supporting the group in question; I was speaking out against being used by the Left. Where was Jeanette Laster and the Human Rights Institute when BLM and Antifa terrorized and assaulted people for being white, burning, vandalizing, burglarizing and destroying cities? Where is their call for a statement against rioting that only further alienates and marginalizes certain groups? Why are left-wing organizations known for mayhem and destruction yet "white" groups aren't? Laster complained that the white supremacist group was going to use our hotels, restaurants, and recreate" while in our city. Isn't it interesting she wasn't able to complain that they would be destroying, burning or pillaging our city while causing fear and dread in our citizens?

I bleed red, white and blue. And, like I told the council and all in attendance, I'm mad. I am mad at being alienated and marginalized for being a conservative and a true red-blooded American. But like Larry Elder, the Black man who recently ran for California governorship, considered a white supremacist. As a minority, I am tired of being singled out and told I have been abused, oppressed, manipulated and discriminated against by the evil white man.

When will the Left wake up? When will the conservative majority say “Enough?”

Thankfully, most of us living in our beautiful Panhandle are kind, loving, friendly and non-racist. Claiming they are is nothing but a tired manipulation tactic to shame and scare true patriots.

How's that for alienating and marginalizing?

Last, attaching my comments to the resignation of Mayor Griffitts is disingenuous and preposterous. I have no doubt he won't ride off into the sunset.

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Lynda Putz is a Hayden resident.