THANK YOU for this response. This event was disturbing to watch in so many ways and you captured exactly what I was asking myself, "What would/could/should I do in the same situation?"
I don't disagree with the author, however, one thing is not considered here when describing potential assistance others could have provided and that is the reality of this community. The LEAR agents may not have been armed but I guarantee you others were. People armed, angry, and untrained might have taken it to an entire other level had more people stepped in. That's the reality we live in here. The Panhandle Patriots, Lightfoot Militia, and others were likely present. If the Sheriff started to look weak there is a decent probability they were would "stepped up to do their duty". And, yes, I feel they are capable of shooting someone, especially Teresa. It's not fair to set readers up to believe that peaceful protest could lead only to deescalation outcomes.
Last year, a man breaking into a car was shot and killed by the car's owner in our Target parking lot, a dangerous spot in a public parking lot full of families that were back-to-school shopping. The county Prosecutor declined to prosecute saying the stand your ground law applied. It likely did but by not putting that before a jury of the man's peers, he sent the message that vigilante justice will not be prosecuted in Coeur d''Alene. As someone who attended the Town Hall, I know that went through my head as I sat questioning what to do.
Some of us are To Old or Disabled ( one way or another) to Protest and March or Even Attend some of these events ( that Trumplicans call an END OF) We Can still use Media, Phones and Apply it DAILY as others that have a Larger Audience Like Robert Reich ( Labor Secretary), Joyce Vance, ( Lawyer) Heather Cox Richardson ( Historian) or a Favorite of Mine Idaho's Jim Jones. There are OTHERS that NEED SUPPORT, Teresa Borrenpohl's Non Violent Protest in a PUBLIC VENUE. IDAHO is a SMALL POPULATION, Yet it is a BREEDER, AUTHORITARIAN / TRUMPISM STATE. So FAR we Still have OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
We have been blessed - not having our rights violated so outrageously before this event. We now know and can shed the scales covering our eyes. Your piece is greatly appreciated. Thank you for giving us a template of what we can do to help those willing to speak out for us.
I was there. A lot of us feel guilt about not intervening to help Teresa. It all happened fast and I was in the front row. I could hear what was going on but didn’t see all of it. We learned a lot and it won’t happen again, at least inactivity on the audience’s part.
If you read the social media posts by the KCRCC and Brent Regan they are doubling down on the narrative that Teresa was a bad person and wouldn’t shut up and they had a right to use force on her. They don’t get it but their base likes it…… the same people who were clapping and yelling when Teresa was dragged out of the meeting.
I am looking forward to the lawsuits against Norris, the security company and the KCRCC
Elephants and bison are two species whose females surround the younger animals in times of danger. This show of force deters predators and came to mind as I pictured Timothy Braatz' suggestion to surround a victim or person being threatened. This will be the tactic I will choose to use as I call out, Bison Mamas!! Humor intended but also deadly serious.
Damn right I’ll be ready!
Great piece, very helpful for those of us who don’t know what to do in situations like this but want to help. Thank you!
This was one fine essay. I’m up there in age, but I dare think I’d be ready in the moment.
THANK YOU for this response. This event was disturbing to watch in so many ways and you captured exactly what I was asking myself, "What would/could/should I do in the same situation?"
I don't disagree with the author, however, one thing is not considered here when describing potential assistance others could have provided and that is the reality of this community. The LEAR agents may not have been armed but I guarantee you others were. People armed, angry, and untrained might have taken it to an entire other level had more people stepped in. That's the reality we live in here. The Panhandle Patriots, Lightfoot Militia, and others were likely present. If the Sheriff started to look weak there is a decent probability they were would "stepped up to do their duty". And, yes, I feel they are capable of shooting someone, especially Teresa. It's not fair to set readers up to believe that peaceful protest could lead only to deescalation outcomes.
Last year, a man breaking into a car was shot and killed by the car's owner in our Target parking lot, a dangerous spot in a public parking lot full of families that were back-to-school shopping. The county Prosecutor declined to prosecute saying the stand your ground law applied. It likely did but by not putting that before a jury of the man's peers, he sent the message that vigilante justice will not be prosecuted in Coeur d''Alene. As someone who attended the Town Hall, I know that went through my head as I sat questioning what to do.
Some of us are To Old or Disabled ( one way or another) to Protest and March or Even Attend some of these events ( that Trumplicans call an END OF) We Can still use Media, Phones and Apply it DAILY as others that have a Larger Audience Like Robert Reich ( Labor Secretary), Joyce Vance, ( Lawyer) Heather Cox Richardson ( Historian) or a Favorite of Mine Idaho's Jim Jones. There are OTHERS that NEED SUPPORT, Teresa Borrenpohl's Non Violent Protest in a PUBLIC VENUE. IDAHO is a SMALL POPULATION, Yet it is a BREEDER, AUTHORITARIAN / TRUMPISM STATE. So FAR we Still have OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
We have been blessed - not having our rights violated so outrageously before this event. We now know and can shed the scales covering our eyes. Your piece is greatly appreciated. Thank you for giving us a template of what we can do to help those willing to speak out for us.
The sheriff should be removed from his position. The people cheering should be ashamed of themselves. I hope she becomes a new millionaire.
I was there. A lot of us feel guilt about not intervening to help Teresa. It all happened fast and I was in the front row. I could hear what was going on but didn’t see all of it. We learned a lot and it won’t happen again, at least inactivity on the audience’s part.
If you read the social media posts by the KCRCC and Brent Regan they are doubling down on the narrative that Teresa was a bad person and wouldn’t shut up and they had a right to use force on her. They don’t get it but their base likes it…… the same people who were clapping and yelling when Teresa was dragged out of the meeting.
I am looking forward to the lawsuits against Norris, the security company and the KCRCC
Elephants and bison are two species whose females surround the younger animals in times of danger. This show of force deters predators and came to mind as I pictured Timothy Braatz' suggestion to surround a victim or person being threatened. This will be the tactic I will choose to use as I call out, Bison Mamas!! Humor intended but also deadly serious.