Huckleberries Online

Richert: No Polite Word For Prejudice

Posted by DFO

Feb. 11, 2012 12:06 a.m. • 10 comments

Following is Kevin Richert's editorial for Sunday: “The campaign to expand Idaho’s Human Rights Act centered on a straightforward slogan: 'Add The Words.' So now, what words can we add to our description of the 2012 Legislature? How about callous? Or dismissive? Or embarrassing? All of these words fairly describe the actions of the Senate State Affairs Committee Friday. On a party-line decision, and without much second thought, the committee rejected a proposal to extend human rights protections to gays, lesbians and transgender Idahoans. This basic, fair step to prevent discrimination in the workplace and the housing market didn’t get a hearing. In the committee’s narrow view, this proposal didn’t even merit any real consideration”/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. More here. (Idaho Statesman/AP photo by Chris Butler: A group expresses their disbelieve with a silent protest outside the Senate State Affair Committee meeting today)

Also: Painful day in the Idaho Senate as “Add the Words” gay-rights bill killed/Dan Popkey, Statesman

Reaction?

10 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

OrangeTV on February 10 at 4:34 p.m.
The protest is very poignant and appropriate. One again, myself and countless others are mortified to be an Idahoan. I have a feeling we haven’t heard the last of this one.
duroc on February 10 at 4:54 p.m.
Richert nails it, and I support the protest. This is shameful and embarrassing, even for the Idaho Legislature (which apparently is built on such a black hole that it is impossible to actually hit bottom).
ShoshoneConservative on February 10 at 5:12 p.m.
If Malepeai or LeFavour had been more on the ball, they could have gotten it printed as a “personal bill” - that would have bypassed what just happened today (of course, that is how it got printed last year) The problem was, McKenzie “pigeonholed” it, and it never got any further, which led to the sticky-note campaign. I suspect even if it HAD gone to print, that is what would have happened this year, too.

Assuming it did go to print, or the proponents had got it in in time as a personal bill, there are procedural motions that can be made on the Floor to get it out of committee (which almost always fail, but are still attempted once in a while). That fact that such a motion was either not attempted, or failed, last year makes me seriously doubt LeFavour’s assessment that this had the support to pass.

We’ve probably not seen the last of this proposal. Like Tom Trail’s medical marijuana bill and the cigarette tax increase, it’s likely to keep coming up each session.
Phaedrus on February 10 at 8:20 p.m.
I appreciate Sho Con’s analysis of the legislative process, but it is cold and technical, like the heartless action of the committee that refused to let people speak.

A sad day to be an Idahoan.

PS: And wasn’t that the dui/ stolen truck guy leading the way? So much for morality in Idaho.
mrd on February 10 at 9:28 p.m.
It sure seems the legislature represents less and less Idahoeans. Disappointing - time to get rid of them.
wheels on February 11 at 6:59 a.m.
This action by the Idaho State Senate Affairs Committee is inexcusable and casts a bad light on Idaho.Stand up, Add The Words.
bcnqrgd on February 11 at 10:04 a.m.
The Idaho legislature (and GOP) appears to be as bigoted (or more so) as our former nemesis, the Aryans. .
Fishwife on February 11 at 12:44 p.m.
Richard Butler would be proud. Bill Wassmuth would be aghast. The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Rights’ silence is deafening. ” Injustice for one is injustice for all,” rings hollow in Eyedeeho, unless you a big corporation with rich lobbyists.
Randy_Myers on February 11 at 2:34 p.m.
The bill should have passed and all of Idaho could be proud. I agree with Fishwife that the Task Force’s silence is deafening.
condor on February 12 at 7:42 a.m.
An elected body has made a decision.

Agree or disagree, if you want change be sure to vote for your choice during the next election.

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About this blog

D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.