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I was saddened to see again our community inundated with hate at the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force meeting on Wednesday night. If this is the same group that came to the county government meeting last fall. They were organized by some of the Republican women’s leadership. It is not their concerns and fears that are repugnant, but their actions to disrupt the speaker.

So, what can we do?

1. Join the human rights task force. The secret to stopping bullies is not to yell louder, but to stand together.

2. Let us understand and practice free speech. Free speech is not screaming at or mocking those who disagree with you, but listening and trying to come to understanding. The group that disrupted this meeting have taken “political correctness” to a whole new level.

3. If you are a Republican, take back your party. At the county government meeting two representatives from the Republican women proudly wore their name tags and told people where to sit and how to speak. The Republicans I know, and have voted for, would never stand for this behavior, let alone encourage it. The party of small, local, and good government is in danger of being defined by these actions as the party of bullies.

4. Finally, do not be afraid. That is what they want. But those of us who grew up here have white pine in our bones and silver in our blood. We don’t quake in fear, we stand tall and true.

MARY HALEY

Sandpoint