TOWN HALL: Silencing dissent crosses a line

For all intents and purposes, Kootenai County and the state of Idaho have crossed a line, sending our supposedly democratic institutions on a path toward a police state. This was demonstrated Saturday afternoon when, according to the Coeur d’Alene Press, Teresa Borrenpohl was physically removed from a public forum for exercising her constitutional right to question the actions of elected officials.   

While Ms. Borrenpohl may have expressed her dissatisfaction with the actions of elected leaders by being exceptionally vocal, she was not violent. After her remarks, she was physically handled by three unidentified men (displaying no identification as to their possible position as security personnel) who were directed to her by Sheriff Norris. Sheriff Norris said “I didn’t have anything to do with the security detail.” How, then, did Sheriff Norris know which individuals to summon? 

According to Jamie Haas (precinct 208 committee person), “I don’t think anyone coordinated it (security).” If this is true, and Sheriff Norris wasn’t involved with security, Sheriff Norris should have immediately arrested the three men for assault and possibly battery against Ms. Borrenpohl, per his responsibility as a law enforcement officer. 

In addition, the event emcee, Ed Bejarana, belittled Ms. Borrenpohl, and stated “we’ve got to be a little aggressive…. Your voice is meaningless…” 

These cumulative actions remind me of the Brown Shirt tactics used in 1930s Germany to silence dissent. If you don’t believe me, go read a history book! My father, who was an infantryman in Europe from 1944 to 1945 at the age of 19, must be rolling over in his grave right now. 

DAVID ST.AMAND 

Post Falls