LAURITZEN: Reason for leaving credible

Concerning Ralph Shay’s letter about a teacher who was “forced” to leave her employment in Post Falls. As a retired federal criminal investigator, I spent about an hour at my desktop “investigating” Mr. Shay’s account. Like many of us, I consider Dr. Google a good and (mostly) helpful friend.

First off, I agree with most of Mr. Shay’s platitudes regarding how we should treat one another. Of course, that does not mean that one must accept or tolerate all actions of others. That said, pertinent facts regarding Karen Lauritzen’s departure from Post Falls and Idaho are rather skimpy. The catalyst, according to Mrs. Lauritzen, was backlash to her association/sympathies with (what I consider) the Communist-inspired and radical BLM and nutty LGBTQ (ad infin) activist groups. Mrs. Lauritizen has been adamant in rejecting notions that she was influencing her students by injecting (or teaching to) the ideologies of those groups. In the absence of contrary evidence, I find her to be credible.

Below, I paraphrase what was sent to me by a friend.

“Let the gays get married; Let the rednecks have their guns.

Let the atheists be atheists; Let the Christians be Christians.

America is about freedom to live life as you please.

So smoke a bowl, eat a greasy burger, shoot your guns, praise Jesus.

And wish the two fellas next door a happy honeymoon.”

As a footnote: I understand that Mrs. Lauritizen has landed a position with a university in Illinois. Let’s be hopeful that by leaving a deep red state for a deep blue state (and experiencing a change in her educational career) will provide her with new, interesting and fulfilling experiences.

TOM NEILL

Coeur d’Alene