[Vision2020] Tom Henderson, again

[Joan Opyr]

Letters to the Editor
January 5, 2006

Back when I taught the principles of argument to my composition and 
rhetoric classes, one of my first maxims was that you should never 
resort to the Nazi analogy.  Why not?  Because as soon as you compare 
any person or any group to either Hitler or the Nazis, you've lost.  
Tom Henderson, once again, has lost.  In comparing Moscow's liberals, 
particularly Moscow's new city councilman, Aaron Ament, to those 
"nervous" Parisians who endured the Nazi occupation, Henderson doesn't 
simply insult the pro-business side of Moscow's zoning debate -- he 
insults the entire city and makes a fool of himself.

Doug Wilson and New St. Andrews are serial zoning violators.  The 
college began in a residential home on Polk Street.  When NSA was told 
by the city that it was in violation of zoning code and needed to move, 
Wilson moved it into the Christ Church business office, Anselm House -- 
yet another violation.  And so, New St. Andrews settled in the heart of 
Moscow's Central Business District where, quelle surprise, education 
institutions are expressly forbidden.  If you want an analogy, Tom 
Henderson, why not try baseball?  Three strikes and you're out.

Or at least that's the way it should be.  Moscow's previous city 
council raced through a dim, insensible ordinance which makes no sense 
in terms of the city's comprehensive plan but which does suit the whims 
of Pastor "Zoning?  We Don't Need No Stinking Zoning" Wilson.  Let us 
hope that the new city council acts quickly to right this wrong.  
Moscow is not Paris, Tom Henderson.  Our residents are concerned about 
the retail health of our Central Business District.

I say vive Aaron Ament!  Better to have the Resistance in office than a 
Vichy government rolling over for a serial offender.

Joan Opyr
1738 Genesee Troy Road
Moscow, ID 83843
(208) 882-8085