Press: A political bus going nowhere

In a Sunday editorial, the Coeur d’Alene Press took the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee to task for opposing the Riverstone Citylink Transit Center, stating in part:

For some reason, the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee has determined that a transit center for our community’s Citylink bus service poses a financial and social threat, noting it “will be an ‘attractive nuisance’ for crime and illegal activities.”

For context, the central committee has come up with some fairly amusing planks in its political platform in recent years that end up going nowhere but are good for a few laughs. Remember when they wanted government to declare Idaho a “Christian state?” How about when they discussed putting together a team to vet Republican candidates to see if they’re really Republicans? Or sought beefed-up security for their Lincoln Day dinner March 4 because of concern over violent protests outside The Coeur d’Alene Resort?

The transit center opposition is disturbing for several reasons, not the least of which is this: Why jump up and holler now? This transit center has been planned for years and the county already has committed funding for the project, complemented by federal dollars paying three-quarters of the bill. Bigger questions — socially and morally, deeper questions — might be better addressed on a counselor’s couch.

Thoughts?