Was Idaho a state in the Civil War?

I’ve read several publications and their coverage of Idaho Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, and her now infamous photo posing with the Confederate flag. I’ve also read comments from both sides of the political spectrum — some saying she has the right to display the flag, some arguing that it’s racist, etc.

Where is the story here? Is it really a story? Well, yes, there is a story but the storyline should focus more on what she plans to accomplish for her constituents then what flag she is waving out of the back of a pickup truck at a community celebration.

Politicians have become publicity hounds and my guess is that Rep. Scott has noticed the publicity that Donald Trump is getting from outlandish statements and actions. It’s hard to ignore “In your face” politics but here is the dilemma — many times the publicity overshadows the actions of those elected and nothing gets accomplished.

The old adage that politicians and public service officials should be held to a higher standard went out the window when Bill Clinton made reference to a now famous cigar fiasco. Or maybe when Richard Nixon decided it was appropriate to erase some tapes. Politicians are real people as well and make poor choices just like the rest of us. If I had known Rep. Scott was so into Civil War history I would have sent over a couple of books I picked up at my tour of both Shiloh and Gettysburg. Maybe a relative in her past was in the Civil War and she was reflecting on her heritage. Heck, I have a Merchant Marine’s flag somewhere in a drawer from my grandfather’s days in the Danish Merchant Marines. Maybe I need to embrace my heritage as well and wave that flag.

Do we really want to open old wounds of the Civil War? Has Rep. Scott taken a trip to a Civil War battlefield, talk to the locals and discovered many southerners still harbor ill feelings about the war?

However, the underlying message is this: there are bigger fish to fry.

Let’s focus that kind of publicity on living wage jobs in Bonner and Boundary counties. Let’s focus publicity on improving education so our kids have a competitive edge in the future. Let’s publicize lowering the number of kids on subsidized lunch programs because their parents are able to find living wage jobs. Let’s publicize what the area has to offer to manufacturing companies so they relocate or start here.

Maybe the flag that needed to be waved was a Forest Service flag to thank those firefighters risking their lives every day. Or maybe a police flag for those protecting your rights to wave a Confederate flag. I’m thinking the message was missed, Rep. Scott, and this naïve new resident of Bonner County wasn’t impressed. It has nothing to do with our civil rights, it has to do with your actions to better the lives in this county.

Granted, I have no idea in what context the photo was taken. Maybe you were waving an American flag prior to waving the Confederate flag. But the Confederate flag doesn’t represent my rights in any way. Although I do have to admit watching the Dukes of Hazzard growing up and I also admit that a 1969 Dodge Charger would be nice to have in the garage.

As you can imagine, as publisher, I hear the good and bad things about each of our elected officials. Many times from both ends of the political spectrum. I haven’t been here long enough to form an opinion on most elected officials but how you focus on real issues will determine my impressions of you and also determine how I vote. Waving a confederate flag does nothing more for me than having a lady check to see if the Donald’s hair is real.

Jim McKiernan is publisher of the Bonner County Daily Bee.