PATTERSON: Got thumbs up from Regan

Anne Patterson has caught quite a bit of criticism for her “My Turn” column on Sept. 9 and deservedly so. However, readers (and especially voters) need to be aware of an even more sinister turn of events related to that column. That same day, Brent Regan posted a link to the column on Facebook with the comment “Ann nails it.”

For those who may be unaware, that’s the same Brent Regan who chairs both the board of directors of the Idaho Freedom Foundation and the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, prides himself on being described as “the smartest man in the room” everywhere he goes and has a column of fantasies, delusions and mischaracterizations published weekly in the Coeur d’Alene Press under the disingenuous title “Common Sense.”

Why does this matter? Because Ms. Patterson’s column was rife with previously-told lies that have been debunked numerous times. Are we to believe that Regan, the man with the aforementioned list of responsibilities and accomplishments, is so woefully uninformed as to honestly believe Patterson’s assertions to be factually correct? Or is he knowingly promoting lies? The answer is obviously the latter. And is it simply a coincidence that those lies serve to smear the record and reputation of Christie Wood who is seeking reelection in the upcoming Coeur d’Alene City Council election?

Regan and his cohorts have done much to damage our community with their hatemongering, fearmongering and lying. You need look no further than NIC for proof. We can’t make liars stop lying but we can recognize them for what they are and reject their deceptions. Nothing less than the future of our community is at stake.

MIKE HENGGELER

Coeur d’Alene