TOWN HALL: An essential First Amendment forum

Brent Regan’s recent commentary paints a misleading picture of the chaos surrounding the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC). He describes the recent “town hall” as if it were overrun by gangsters but conveniently ignores that the event was advertised as a town hall — an essential First Amendment forum for citizens to engage with elected officials. Instead of acknowledging the broader noise from the crowd, he selectively blames one group of protesters, and specifically one woman.

Regan also brings up Saul Alinsky, using him as a scapegoat for anything he dislikes. He falsely claims that Michael Barnes was forced out by “Rules for Radicals” tactics, when in reality, Barnes resigned because he moved out of state, and registered residency in South Dakota — a fact the KCRCC likely knew but chose to ignore.

Regan claiming the event was private only after a large crowd showed up — many believing it to be a town hall — is not just misleading but irresponsible and lacks integrity. Mr. Monteith, Coeur d’Alene Press editor giving Brent Regan a platform to spread misinformation is a disservice to the community.

REID HARLOCKER

Coeur d’Alene