John Austin: Bob, I agree that Idaho should be made back into a territory. Then, we could create a 50th state to replace it (after allowing Utah to annex everything south of Riggins.) Imagine a state that was centered on issues facing us in the north, with a legislative body that empowers rather than stifles the great initiatives we've advocated for years. Oh, to be King for a day.

DFO: I've had the unique experience of living in Kalispell, Mont., Lewiston and Coeur d'Alene -- and working for an eastern Washington newspaper -- for the last 30 years. All three of those towns are political light-years from their state capitals. I'd love to live in a state consisting of eastern Washington, northern Idaho (to the southern border of Idaho County) and western Montana. Indeed, to be king ...

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