Campaign renewed to split WA in two. It’s ‘now or never’ | Opinion
Inland NW should unify into one state
Florida Gov. (Ron) DeSantis is calling for the complete elimination of property taxes in the U.S. This was well received because most people hate property taxes.
It is obvious that this is an establishment strategy to intentionally eliminate local government and have the state run our cities, counties, schools and other public entities. Your state government will decide what you can do with your property. You will be paying more taxes to fund everything along with paying for all the socialist urban problems and programs.
Losing self-governance means the death of rural America. This is their plan. They are entirely dependent on our rural resources, economics and tax revenue, but without any representation in government.
I am launching a campaign to join Eastern Washington with Northern Idaho and create a new state representing the Inland NW region. The new state would have a population of about 1,788,000, making it about No. 40 in population and No. 30 in size.
Spokane ... is already considered the capital of the inland NW, so it would be the likely choice for the new state capital. This isn’t a new proposal, but it’s likely now or never.
For more information visit InlandNW.org.
Paul Sands, White Bird, ID
SARC helps out if you’re stalked
Stalking is a devastating crime that may inflict profound and lasting trauma. Victims of stalking live in a state of constant hypervigilance and fear. Their sense of safety and control can feel stripped away.
The nature of stalking can lead to severe anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, impacting every aspect of a victim’s life. Daily routines can be altered, careers suffer and personal relationships shift under the strain of intimidation.
SARC is here to provide crisis intervention and offer a safe space for victims to be heard and believed. We offer trauma-informed counseling, and we can assist process the emotional turmoil to help rebuild a sense of safety.
Victim advocates provide support, assist with safety planning, and can help navigate the legal system such as obtaining protection order and connecting individuals with additional resources like legal aid or housing assistance.
By offering compassionate support SARC empowers survivors, and can help them move forward towards a path of healing and reclaiming control over their lives. If you or someone know is experiencing stalking, support is available.
Please call the SARC at 509-374-5391 or visit our office for assistance, we are located at 1458 Fowler St., Richland
Judit Medina, Richland
Republicans need to open their eyes
Donald Trump has now called for the execution of Democratic members of Congress. Is anyone else as outraged as I am?
The man obviously thinks he’s already a dictator of our country!
Amendment 25 of our Constitution is specifically for crazy presidents!
Please begin the process of removing this dangerous man from our presidency!
Republicans open your eyes and do something!
Deanna Whiteside, Kennewick
President Trump orders unlawful
President Trump exposes military personnel to potential prosecution for acting on his unlawful orders. Other presidents have done this, but his unlawful orders represent an exponential increase in this practice, and he has his administration’s attorneys lying to military personnel by stating his orders are lawful. This makes members of his administration complicit in those unlawful orders
An example of a case of a military person who did not refuse an unlawful order occurred in 1973, in United States v. Lt William Calley (My Lai Massacre). Lt. Calley was convicted for the murder of civilians. His defense argued he was following orders, but the court rejected this, holding that an unlawful order (to kill civilians) must be refused.
In 2025, Judge Charles R. Breyer ruled that deployment of National Guard troops for domestic law enforcement violated the Posse Comitatus Act. This highlighted that orders conflicting with federal law are unlawful, and refusal is proper.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice states that only lawful orders must be obeyed. Military courts consistently rule that refusing unlawful orders is not only permissible but required.
President Trump and the liars in his administration are the persons who should be on trial.
Jim Tow, Richland
Plan for Ukraine isn’t surprising
Trump’s ceasefire/peace plan for Ukraine is now revealed. Not surprisingly it calls for Ukraine to reward Putin’s aggression by ceding significant parts of Ukraine to the aggressor. What a terrific deal. Trump has consistently shown a fondness for dictators and especially for Putin whom he is attempting to emulate in the USA.
Brett Menaker, Kennewick
Trump misusing judges and troops
It is high time Trump’s abuse of our military and judicial branches be curbed with prosecutions and/or disbarments. None other than former Trump White House lawyer Ty Cobb, has called for U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Lindsey Halligan to be disbarred. He cites ample reasons.
Bondi and Hallligan are not esteemed lawyers with honorable records of public service. Rather they were appointed for their promises of loyalty to Trump.
Executing people on boats in the Caribbean without due process is a crime. We might be able to end this practice by prosecuting/removing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. He, too, is no shining example of a public servant. We might also prosecute an officer or two down the chain of command. It sends a message.
If we are to live up to our nation’s potential as “land of the free and home of the brave” we must establish that Trump is not a king.
Trump’s impeachment was a preferred first step, but Republicans in Congress have blocked that path twice.
Our freedoms and stature on the world stage are at stake. Trump is following Putin’s self-serving path. “Never forget” extolled Eli Wiesel … (when speaking of) Nazi Germany. Never forget.
Ivar Husa, Richland