Human rights violations in Idaho
In the broad sweep of history, no intellectual doctrine has been as empowering or as liberating as the doctrine of human rights. In an earlier incarnation, it was advanced under the name of Natural Rights by American patriots determined to throw off the yoke of British oppression. A decade later, in the French Revolution, those who were committed to liberty, equality and fraternity marched the doctrine into battle as they sought to win their their dignity, integrity and freedom. In a defining moment on the world stage, Natural Rights scored a triumphant victory over repressive forces and, with it, established the inalienable right of human dignity.
While America's commitment to the doctrine of human rights has been inconsistent, it has been effectively used in this nation to denounce racial and gender bigotry, and to protest the creation of a caste system based on religious views and disabilities. In recent years, the principle has been unleashed to combat the practice of torture and the genocidal efforts of despots and tyrants in Europe and Africa.
As the world now knows, American officials have, at least for a dark passage, turned its back on those great human rights. With the authorization of the highest officials in the Bush Administration, interrogators engaged in torture of some whom it detained at various sites, despite federal law and international law prohibitions. With time, the revelations will inspire close scrutiny of interrogations, which will inspire lawful behavior, and America may once again hold high its head, instead of its nose.
Recent violations of human rights by the Bush Administration have been seared into the consciousness of Americans. Here, in Idaho, we are witness to an ongoing violation of human rights which, while not violent, is no less damaging and demeaning to its victims. In this current session, the Idaho Legislature refused to adopt an amendment to the Idaho Human Rights Act, which would prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, education and public accommodations on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation. Legislators' failure to pass legislation to meet constitutional standards is reprehensible to be sure, but the refusal of the Idaho Human Rights Commission to defend the amendment is particularly dismaying. The Commission, after all, is appointed to ensure the dignity of individuals and prevent the violations of human rights. In a 5-4 vote on February 9, the nine-member Commission, including fresh appointments by Gov. Butch Otter, voted against the proposed amendment, which is to say, it voted to permit discrimination against gays and lesbians.
Let's put this in perspective: To vest in this Human Rights Commission responsibility to prevent violations of human rights is akin to putting the KKK in charge of integration. The Commission's arbitrary and groundless exclusion of our fellow citizens from the protection of the law is to stamp them with a badge of inferiority and degradation. We Idahoans like to boast about our freedom and liberty, but we cannot reconcile that claim with the Commission's violation of fundamental human rights. The Commission's action is appalling, and it makes a mockery of the organization's name. Members of the Commission who voted in the majority should resign, immediately.
David Adler is a Professor of Political Science at Idaho State University.
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Although it could be a lot of fun just violating them like crazy
You gotta admit that.
After all, repression/recession, it's all the same thing.
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Beethoven was deaf when he wrote his Ninth Symphony. Rush Limbaugh is profoundly hard of hearing.
Millions of people like Beethoven.
Ahh America land of free
and home of the stupid.
Whoopie, we're all gonna die...
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Beethoven was deaf when he wrote his Ninth Symphony. Rush Limbaugh is profoundly hard of hearing.
Millions of people like Beethoven.
Another rant of lies by a
Another rant of lies by a liberal elitist government employee! Where do you draw the line on special rights for groups? Shoudl we have laws that will protect the rights of left-handed people in an obviously biased right-hand world? I'm sure some lawyer has already thought of a way to sue someone over this...LOL...So many victims in this world, always someone out to get them, always someone else fault...BooHoo....
Would it not be simpler to quit labeling everyone instead of passing laws to "protect" everyone?
Who's ranting at whom?
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Beethoven was deaf when he wrote his Ninth Symphony. Rush Limbaugh is profoundly hard of hearing.
Millions of people like Beethoven.
This is snark, isn't it?
If not, I'm worried you work with nukes.
Please don't take BooHoo's name in vain.
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Beethoven was deaf when he wrote his Ninth Symphony. Rush Limbaugh is profoundly hard of hearing.
Millions of people like Beethoven.
US Asst DA has taken money from my toddler!
Dear Community in General,
This is nearly a cry for help, I am writing this in hopes that someone somewhere will relate or understand what my family is going through.
In early 2000 I was convicted of a white collar crime in the Federal Court System. I did my time and finished supervised release after losing years of my life for making the ridiculously terrible decision. I now owe restitution to credit card companies and completely agree that I should pay the money back. I am certain everyone reading this is aware that we are in a recession. I have been unable to make payments due to job loss and the needs of my child. I have made attempts to make a decent payment to the D.A. but she adamantly refuses to negotiate and has now gone so far as to take ALL of the money out of my checking account which accepts a direct deposit from Social Security for my little three year old girl who lost her daddy when she was barely one! Can you imagine having your child victimized by a government official? My little girl receives a Death Benefit and this person decided it was alright to steal from an innocent! Needless to say my daughter and I were left nearly penniless and with no recourse! How am I supposed to feed my little girl, and why is the government taking money from babies? This woman working for the D.A.’s office is fully aware that she has taken a death benefit that is paid to my daughter and she does not care! I am asking everyone, is it that important that these mega credit card companies are paid back that fast? Should it be alright for the government to take EVERY PENNY of a family’s money so that they are unable to feed their children? There was 50 cents in my savings account and she took that as well!
I am very aware what I did years ago was very wrong and I DO owe restitution and intend to pay it as I can, but not at the expense of the basic survival of my child. My little girl did nothing wrong and deserves to be clothed, fed, and cared for in a reasonable manner. Can ANYONE offer help or advice?
Thank you for listening,
Scared
The US Dist Atty is doing his/her job!
You, sir, took the money from your child when you cheated and played the white-collar crime gig. Apparently, while you are "oh so sorry" for what you did, you don't realize that you are responsible to return the money that you stole from the mouths of others? I am sorry to hear you have victimized this child! Perhaps you should have thought about the children you were vicitimizing when you committed your crime! From the mouth of a criminal's child to that of an innocent's child... sounds fair to me. Perhaps you should get off your duff and get a job at McDonald's or Wal-Mart to feed that child and quit blaming others for the pain you have caused your child!