Article was typical media hyperbole

The March 30 article, “Supremacist Runs for Sheriff,” says of North Idaho, “… the area also has a history or radical and anti-government activism …”, citing Ruby Ridge and the former Aryan Nations compound at Hayden for your claim.

This is typical media hyperbole and offensive. “One swallow doesn’t make a summer,” nor does one offbeat family, and a bunch of neo-Nazis — who came here from out of state — make North Idaho a hotbed of insurgents nor define our history.

As a genuine North Idaho native, I know our history. It’s about being independent, thinking for ourselves — but being law-abiding and patriotic. Our history is of small dairy farmers, beef ranchers, loggers, truck gardeners and mom and pop stores. We have been people who helped our neighbors, went to church and paid our bills. Every barrel has a few rotten apples, but if you want to see real radicals, look to New York City and California.

We had little problems with serious crimes or drugs until the 1960s. Then, because of our lax drug and welfare laws, there was an influx here of “flower children” who claimed they wanted to get back to nature and live off the land. Their main crop was marijuana.

Big Brother, EPA and eco-freaks have put an end to our logging, sawmills, independent dairy farms and many other things that were once workable ways of life. Through it, native Idahoans have struggled to maintain the same quality of life we once had and loved.

EVALYN FINNEY

Sandpoint