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Nuxoll embarrasses relatives
The article in the March 7 edition of The Spokesman-Review regarding Idaho Republican Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll’s rude actions and comments about the Hindu faith is worrisome, to put it mildly.
More troubling to me, however, is that she’s my cousin. And since I and many others in the family don’t agree with Sheryl’s disrespectful and offensive views against the Hindus, her recent actions caused us embarrassment.
Sheryl’s district (Idaho County) lies in close proximity to Spokane. Cottonwood, population 800, where Sheryl and I grew up, is about 90 percent Catholic, and most of its citizens have pretty conservative political views.
Not long ago, Idaho gained a bad reputation for being racist and intolerant by virtue of the Aryan Nations locating there. Now, it’s receiving negative publicity again over Sheryl’s anti-Hindu remarks and actions.
Although we all have the right to our own bigoted beliefs, the question is whether an elected official has a right to voice those beliefs publicly. I don’t think so.
Joan Kopczynski
Spokane