What Now KCRCC?
Town Hall Brouhaha
After Trump’s address to the nation, much commentary centered on the painfully obvious political divide between right and left. Kootenai County is a microcosm of that political chasm, but the split is a three-way between the established Republican Central Committee, the North Idaho Republicans, and now a rising tide of Constitutionalist insurgents.
The recent brouhaha has highlighted the divide. The KCRCC under Brent Regan’s leadership is an insider’s monolith, and any divergence, even in moving closer to the Constitution, is seen as anathema. In the words of Ouiser Boudreaux in Steel Magnolias, “You are evil, and you must be destroyed.” The punishment meted out by the collective is visceral, bolstered by the presumption of unimpeachable rightness. The tell is obvious. Mircrophone snatching, personal attacks, mockery, and physical assault are all justified with full-throated approval. A glance into the mirror is simply too painful so even under the glare of the national spotlight, self-reflection must be given a pass.
At any point prior to Teresa Borrenpohl being dragged from the room at the recent town hall, the turbulent waters could have been stilled. What happened instead was that the hapless Ed Bejarana, MC of the event, whipped the waves to a froth like Poseidon spotting a ship he doesn’t like. I guess he couldn’t think of anything dumber to do. Sheriff Robert Norris then sprang into action, aggressively marching to the offending woman with a pulsing strobe flashlight, “full of sound and fury signifying nothing.”
Self-Licking Lollipops of the KCRCC
The national outcry has not stopped the self-licking lollipop that is Brent Regan’s team of hidebound insiders. The ‘people who count’ have not ceased to loudly defend numerous mistakes and miscalculations. They have even overlooked violations of the law. Now, if the Rule of Law cannot be used to find a starting point back to civil discourse, I’m stumped. It’s like watching a blind man sprinting toward a cliff. We call out warnings, but they fall on deaf ears. Our Republican Central Committee has become Helen Keller on meth.
I’d like to provide some helpful tips to Brent Regan and his phalanx of followers, especially his own personal Shield Maidens.
- Not everyone who thinks critically is Satan
- Open communication between the opposing forces is not treason
- You can be an intelligent conservative
- Compassion and decency are not of the devil
- Pausing for self-reflection is wise
Speaking Dan to Dan
Here’s where I should add a disclaimer: I actively campaigned for Dan Wilson, so if you detect heavy favoritism, you have a pulse. Now for the surprise, Dan Gookin is a friend of mine, I’ve known him for decades and admire him for his wit and candor. Gookin can excoriate Christians and it doesn’t change my affectionate regard, even though I ‘are’ one. I don’t take his opinion of my cherished faith as a signal to kamikaze our relationship.
Dan Wilson, who declared his independence from the ruling party last year, serves as the locator of common ground. He’s a man who both understands and defends the Constitution but that’s been taken as approval of the actions of Teresa Borrenpohl. In a devotion to entirely missing the point, adherents to the Central Committee are trying to sell the idea that he’s just a troublemaker. He’s a couple of things they can’t wrap their heads around: a man who understands the limitations and obligations of law enforcement and a defender of the Rule of Law.
Now, if that’s not sufficiently offensive, he and Dan Gookin, another Central Committee outsider, are making matters even worse. They are talking. Dan Wilson has a Trumpian approach. Bring in divergent sides and plan a new route for the betterment of all. There’s no point in going full-on Zelensky, we’ve got a war to stop.
The only war I fully approve of was our War for Independence. It’s time to fight that one again. Down with the kings, the king makers, and the petty tyrants. We can only succeed if more people remember and follow the principles of our founding documents. It’s worth a try.
Linda Cook, a decades-long resident of Kootenai County, began her political activism in the pro-life movement in California. Eventually, she was named president of the California Pro-Life Council, and in that capacity, she spoke publicly, managed media relations, and lobbied in Sacramento and Washington D.C. After moving to Kootenai County in 1992, Linda became involved in politics and was hired to serve as a Regional Representative for Congressman Helen Chenoweth-Hage. Linda is married, a mother of two, a grandmother of five, and soon to be a great- grandmother.
One of her favorite sayings is: The female of any species is always at her most dangerous when she appears to be in retreat.
The opinions expressed by contributing authors or Op-Ed submissions to the Liberty Without Compromise Network do not necessarily reflect those of the founders of LWC, the hosts of the Liberty Without Compromise broadcast, or Dan Wilson for Kootenai County Sheriff. It is LWC's position to offer a forum for the marketplace of ideas, discussion, and at times, opposing viewpoints. With this in mind, the comment section contained in this website is open for all ideas and viewpoints provided the discussion remain productive and respectful of others.
SUBSCRIBE TO LIBERTY WITHOUT COMPROMISE
Receive Liberty Without Compromise e-mail updates and event notices.