[Vision2020] Facing the Public (was Crabtree and the NRA)

[keely emerinemix]

I hope that Bouma, Young, and others who aspire to legislative office would frame Shirley's words, study them, and remember them well -- this is a primer on how to govern, how to respond to constituents, and how to conduct oneself in politics with integrity, grace, and intelligence.

Shirley has my vote, but even if I had disagreements with her views that prevented me from supporting her, I nonetheless would be impressed by her commitment to public service, and she would have my gratitude and admiration for rising above the cesspool and cowardice that often defines politics.   Having served on the Moscow School District Board of Trustees from 2003-2006, which is an elected position (even if my candidacy was uncontested), I made being available and accountable, to my constituents my first priority.  Some of you might remember the bond campaign several years ago, when I spent hours on Vision 2020 and elsewhere answering questions -- some reasonable, some simply abusive -- and trying to state my and the District's case for supporting the bond.  I was deeply saddened that the bond measure failed, but what was equally disturbing to me was the near-complete public silence in support of the bond from the other trustees, who voted to forward the bond but seemed content to stay out of, or run away from, any public debate or active campaign beyond the well-orchestrated "information sessions" attended by the same dozen folks.  I believe that the biggest problem facing the District is that its Board of Trustees fails to embrace what I see as its imperative to be an activist, publicly-engaged voice for Moscow's schoolchildren.  Obviously, I was the odd one out, and that figured in my decision not to run for re-election.

My point here is not to claim any personal heroism, re-visit the issue of a new high school, or even acknowledge any mistakes I made -- I'm sure there were many, and what I did shouldn't be considered at all remarkable.  But I bring this up because I feel so strongly about the absolute imperative that elected officials and candidates for office have to face the public, no matter how "biased" the forum, how dicey live radio can be (I know this from my 2007 KRFP debate with Doug Wilson!), or how penetrating the questions.  Anyone lacking the guts, backbone, and brainpower to face their constituents, whether they're lions or lambs, isn't fit to serve.  Period.

Keely
www.keely-prevailingwinds.com




From: ringoshirl at moscow.com
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2010 09:22:52 -0600
Subject: [Vision2020] Crabtree and the NRA










Visionaries:
 
Gary Crabtree has requested a discussion from me 
concerning my low rating from the National Rifle Association.  It’s interesting to me that Mr. Crabtree 
did not attend any of the forums, nor take the time to submit a question during 
the KRFP interview.  I am also 
uncomfortable with his vitriolic comments towards people with whom he disagrees 
politically.  After asking me to 
respond, he brands my answer “rhetoric” in advance.

However, he 
has raised an issue about which some of you may be curious, so I will give a 
candid response.  
I have many friends who are sportsmen, belong 
to the NRA, and enjoy their publications.  
I think the organization provides a service that people appreciate.  I also think that, at times, their 
political action wing has been over the top.  
This is a 
powerful lobbying group in the Idaho Legislature.  Many legislators just produce the votes 
the NRA requests because of its powerful influence.  During my service in the Legislature, I 
have not always voted according to their wishes.  I have listened to constituents who have 
contacted me.  I have contacted 
attorneys to determine whether the legislation was deemed necessary by 
them.  After weighing all 
information, I vote according to what seems most responsible, and I never take 
this lightly.
Gun safety is 
very important to me.  In the most 
recent session, the majority passed legislation stipulating that firearms 
manufactured exclusively in Idaho would be exempt from federal regulations.  I think that is dangerous and 
irresponsible.  Our Attorney General 
said it was likely unconstitutional.  
My vote was one of the few against that legislation.
During my 
five terms in the legislature, I have not introduced legislation that would 
threaten anybody’s second amendment rights.  I have none planned.  Nobody enjoys a low rating from a 
political action group, and we should always listen to all sides of an issue 
before voting.  But our legislative 
decision-making should not be driven by a desire for high ratings. 
Shirley 
Ringo

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