Letter writer showed his extremist views

I am responding to Dale Robertson’s letter (March 13, Daily Bee) regarding House Bill HB 1388. It took me less than five minutes on my computer to find total refutation of Mr. Robertson’s claim that the bill allows for importation of thousands of Hamas-associated Palestinians at a tax payer cost in excess of $20 million. HB 1388 has passed the House and is headed for the Senate. It authorizes funding for seniors and students who participate in volunteerism. The emphasis of this bill is to provide $500 credit toward tuition costs. Credits earned by seniors are considered legacy credits and may be passed down. The bulk of the bill relates to management of the funding mechanisms. Importantly, the bill received significant Republican votes. HB 1388 amends the bill signed into law by President Obama on April 21, 2009, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, also known as Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education. The GIVE Act amended the original Domestic Volunteer Act of 1973, which created AmeriCorps and the National Senior Services Corps

I read all 15 pages of HB 1388, which I can assure you Mr. Robertson did not. There is no mention of Palestinians or Hamas. Mr. Robertson has, as have others of his political persuasion, read and repeated only information that supports his political extremism and his need to vilify Democrats, in particular President Obama.

Mr. Robertson, the reason the mainstream media, including Fox News, ignored the information cited by you is because it was immediately and widely disproved. It is relevant to note that the wording in your letter was taken verbatim from the original e-mail spreading this misinformation. You would be far better served if you used your computer to check your facts before you press any more wild and ignorant claims. It is sad that you will learn nothing from this letter as it does not support your preconceived and deeply-held extremist political views.

ILENE BELL

Sandpoint