Category: Letters & Opinion

Moving In? By James Ashley Marriage is a big decision. Arguably the biggest decision you’ll make in your life, and you want to be certain you’re making the right choice […]

The bigger is better propaganda machine June 30, 2011 After spending 66 years of shuffling around the world knowing that I’ll never be able to reach anything on any top […]

When I moved to Sandpoint almost 25 years ago, my aunt visited and asked my friend, “So, what do you do?” She meant her job, but that’s not what people […]

Idaho House Bill 743: “This bill introduces a new chapter, Chapter 17, to Title 7 of the Idaho Code, establishing provisions for actions to enforce the law against public officers, […]

The North Bench Fire Department is considering creating a taxing district for property owners in their area. In plain English, property owners pay taxes for a service whether wanted or […]

By Senator Jim Woodward There are two trains of thought in the Idaho Capitol this legislative session. One wants to cut government spending under the notion that budgets are bloated, […]

Pay no attention to that lazy, carnivorous zipper behind the curtain April 23, 2003 The zipper was patented on August 29, 1893, and it has been tormenting people ever since. […]

By Darrell Kerby For more than two decades, the 2001 Roadless Rule has frozen vast stretches of national forest land in a regulatory amber, restricting access, limiting management options, and […]

Things to Establish Early in a Relationship    By Elizabeth Kate When getting into a relationship, there are lots of things to consider. For a girl, there are things that are […]

By Jim Jones Idaho elected leaders bought into the national tax scheme devised by the MAGA crowd in Washington, D.C., to the severe detriment of programs critical to Idaho. It’s […]

During a CNN interview with Jake Tapper that aired January 5, 2026, Steve Miller, top adviser for the current administration, stated while discussing the potential U.S. annexation of Greenland and […]

On November 13, 2025, I wrote an editorial responding to comments made by North Bench Fire District (NBFD) President Jim Hill regarding a proposed new property tax. After that piece […]

For decades, Americans have lived in a country with high rates of gun ownership, including semiautomatic firearms — a pattern that has been stable since at least the 1970s. Yet […]

During Lyndon Johnson’s presidency a federal law was passed to prevent private landowners from getting paid money to put up billboards on their property. The goal sounded worthwhile to keep […]

By Representative Steve Berch This is my first legislative update newsletter of the 2026 session. The session got off to a slow start in January, but rapidly picked up speed […]

What are the Male Expectations of Valentine’s Day? By James Ashley Valentine’s Day is already upon us. Valentine’s Day is often thought of as a day for a man to […]

Kens just might be a bit on the strange side The name Ken seems to have taken quite a hit to the jaw in the decades since 1951. I was […]

To the Members of the Idaho House and Senate: The Human Rights Task Forces of Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Latah counties are united in opposition to House Bill 557, which […]

How to take a hint from a guy… By James Ashley In most of our previous columns we’ve discussed how to be successful in your relationships but as we all […]

To the Editor, After my recent letter regarding the “Trump Country” billboard, I have read a lot of public responses. Some were thoughtful and respectful. Many, however, made one thing […]

Out of Kilter by Ken Carpenter presents: Our disturbing passion for freaky pets has no limits July 3, 2003 Human beings are born with the compulsion to create a pet […]

Attorney General Labrador Warns Idaho Families About Jail Bond Scams BOISE, ID — Attorney General Raúl Labrador is warning Idaho families about scammers impersonating law enforcement and court officials to steal money from relatives […]

ROOTS by Ken Carpenter   If life was like a flowering plant With petals of burnished gold We’d reach for the sun And pray for the rain In hope that […]

To the Editor, I am writing as a concerned resident of Bonners Ferry regarding the “Trump Country” billboard displayed along the highway as people enter our community. Boundary County has […]

Help! I’ve got my foot stuck in my mouth! April 2, 2006 Over a lifetime, every single human will have more than 15 billion individual microbes of bacteria inside their […]

A View from the Valley By Georgia Earley On January 14th Representative Russ Fulcher sent out an e-mail announcing that the US House of Representatives passed a new FSGG, Financial […]

(What are your thoughts?) Is it Ok to Have Friends of the Opposite Gender while dating? By James Ashley Relationships are not always black and white. In fact, they’re more […]

Along with the ACLU of Idaho, the Idaho Democratic Party, physician groups and many other organizations, the Bonner County Democratic Central Committee wishes to declare its unequivocal support for the […]

Idaho has always believed that families, not bureaucracies, know kids best. We value local decision-making, personal responsibility, and practical solutions that meet people where they are. That’s the spirit behind […]

My favorite color has been blue. Since blue is the most popular of all colors, that would make me just another run of the mill color dude. Cobalt blue is […]

Boise, Idaho – After Governor Brad Little gave his annual State-of-the-State Address today at the Idaho State Capitol, State Controller Brandon Woolf issued the following statement in support: “Idaho is […]

Kathryn Larson has lived in Sagle for over a decade. She’s an artist and treasurer at Sandpoint ArtWorks Gallery, manages communications for CAL and Bizarre Bazaar, helps with CREC, and […]

A View from the Valley By Georgia Earley As of November 2025, 60 to 70% of US citizens said our country is headed in the wrong direction. In fact, according […]

Hi! We’re Linus and Katie (writing as James and Elizabeth) from right here in Bonners Ferry and we are writing to all the young people out there who are mystified […]

The Invasion of the Boobie Snatcher August 5, 2012 For you young souls out there, and I will let you decide where the age break is between young, middle-aged and […]

By  Idaho Representative Steve Berch The Idaho Legislature is veering to the extreme. The issues that profoundly affect the daily lives of Idahoans are not being seriously nor sufficiently addressed, […]

Out of Kilter presents: A Quagmire of Resolutions By Ken Carpenter I have a painful secret to confess. A few years ago, before Christmas, I murdered a resident of my […]

One of our readers has been in correspondence with Scott Herndon, former Idaho Senator, in regard to eliminating property taxes. What is your opinion on property taxes? Should they stay […]

An itis for every day of the week, and the month and the year It seems like everybody in the world has an itis of one kind or another. Not […]

By Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador The Christmas season is upon us, and across Idaho families are gathering around tables and Christmas trees. The decorations are up, families are together, […]

Do sighs really matter? Humans are the great communicators of the universe. They communicate with words, with looks, with body language, with sign language, and when all else fails, sigh […]

By A View from the Valley Georgia Earley For years I had chickens. And in each flock inevitably one or two of them would bully select birds, pecking at them […]

Coincidence is the Master of Men More thoughtful than most bathroom scribbler once left a line in a rest area I had reason to visit 20 years ago, and it […]

Idaho Alert …. The Christmas Grinch is after our schools and our County and Hospital budgets … The Idaho Freedom Foundation’s latest proposal to slash nearly $1.9 billion from the […]

Where are the best scenic backwoods drives and destinations in the county?

Today, Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced Phase 2 of Operation Robocall Roundup, expanding the crackdown on illegal robocalls to include four of the largest voice providers in the country. As […]

Doing Nothing – it is Fat Free and Gaining in Popularity I have nothing to say this week it might be said that having nothing to write about never stopped […]

When my youngest son was still living at home, he often called me a “hairy old ape” if he found what he thought were too many black hairs stuck to […]

Where is Jim Risch and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee? Who authored the Russian Ukrainian “Peace” Plan? At a security conference meeting in Halifax Nova Scotia (according to an Associated […]

We could all use a fainting goat around the house I have been trying to think of something I can do to add some pizzazz to my life. It doesn’t […]

The North Bench Fire District Board (NBFDB) needs transparent leadership to address its funding shortfall. President Jim Hill recently stated the district’s annual expenses are $220K, yet only half of […]

In Search of the Perfect Boob I guess I better clarify one thing right off the bat. The boob in my title is an idiot, not an anatomical accessory. I […]

I feel that we are in very dark times in this country. From using food stamps as political pawns to blowing up fishing boats in international waters to violently arresting […]

By Debbie Critchfield Superintendent of Public Instruction When it comes to inspiring trust and understanding, nothing is more effective than being honest and straightforward. Transparency in all that we do […]

The Boundary County School District released an article to “set the record straight” on their receipt and use of almost one million dollars of taxpayer funding that they didn’t plan […]

Gullible makes the world go around This story was done in 2011, but it could easily have been from any era since mankind first developed. Fooling other people is an international […]

A view from the valley by Georgia Earley In the lead-up to the American Revolution, Samuel Adams insisted that the rule of law meant there should be “one rule of […]

If you could be one person besides yourself, who would you be and why?

By Darrel Kerby Did any of you know about this attempt to take your vote away? Buried in the Idaho Republican Party’s official platform is a provision to repeal the […]

Out of Kilter presents: Halloween: Screams, Fiends, and Chocolate Dreams By Ken Carpenter (I have to start out this salute to Halloween with a couple short, sobering sentences. Halloween has […]

By Jim Jones There was a time in the distant past when Idaho elected officials had moral compasses and were dedicated to serving the interests of the Gem State. Since […]

By Ken Carpenter Last week I made the trek to Moscow in my little, tan truck to perform another beast-of-burden deed in what long ago became a lifelong habit. Like […]

By Jim Jones jjcommontater Donald Trump has made a dramatic show of making America’s military blow up purported drug boats off the coast of Venezuela, hundreds of miles from American […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater America was born in protest. In fact, we might never have separated from Great Britain, were it not for a list of grievances written into […]

Out of Kilter presents: Through the eyes of a pinko by Ken Carpenter   Until recently I hadn’t even thought of the term commie pinko in years. The reason I […]

A View from the Valley By Georgia Earley In 2024 U.S. Capitol Police reported 9,400 investigations into threats against members of Congress. In 2017 there were 3,939. From 2013 through […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater When the history of Donald Trump’s second term is written, September 30, 2025, will be known as the time when America’s top military leaders became […]

It was the 9-year-old nephew of the American mathematician Milton Sirotta in 1920 who gave the world the word “googol.” Sirotta proposed the number 1 followed by 100 zeros and […]

The Kootenai Valley Junior Rifle Club would like to say “Thank you” to the Friends of the NRA for their grant. With this money, we were able to purchase competition […]

The sign said, “We stand with Charlie Kirk.” Next to it, a Confederate flag, heroic symbol of slavery, stuck in the Kootenai River mud, in full view of the Kootenai […]

Why did the crab cross the road? It didn’t—it used the sidewalk.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it?

To blow or not to blow; that is the question I come from a long line of nose blowers and have been packing a cotton handkerchief in my right rear […]

I’ll make this short, sweet, and to the point. Yesterday, I watched President Trump address the United Nations General Assembly. We have a president who’s certainly no comedian, but he […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater A lawsuit to prevent taxpayer money from being used to pay for private and religious education is now before the Idaho Supreme Court. A dedicated […]

This sign with the flags was seen posted in the Kootenai River near the bridge last week. The country is very divided on this so let’s try to focus on […]

What is a fad or a trend that should never be resurrected?

It’s bird, it’s a dog, it’s a hairball named Rufus! It is with great regret that I divulge my topic for the week. I really do like to please my […]

A View from the Valley By Georgia Earley Earlier this summer at protests throughout the country, signs read “protect our democracy” which, for some, prompted the question “protect our democracy […]

Have you been seeing drones? A concerned citizen from Paradise Valley has. According to the citizen, three times this weekend her children were outside and heard and saw a drone […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Donald Trump released a video on September 2 showing a boat being blown up in International Waters about 2,000 miles from America’s shores. Trump claimed […]

Why are math books always so unhappy? They have too many problems!   If you have a joke you would like us to publish, send an email to katie@9b.news or […]

With the holiday season right around the corner, it begs the question: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie, or is it now? Why or why not?  

Old Bones Make No Bones About It A friend of mine whose thirst for trivial things rivals my own, told me an interesting tidbit the other day that I will […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater As a person who volunteered to fight in the Vietnam War, I’m astounded by the silence of Idaho’s top leaders as the country travels the […]

Out Of Kilter By Ken Carpenter March 21, 2004 People throughout history have relied on their political leaders to create and implement laws to protect them. Many of these laws […]

By U.S. Senator, Jim Risch Idaho’s veterans fought and sacrificed to protect our freedoms. While we can never fully repay the debt we owe them, we must do everything in […]

On Tuesday, Donald John Trump positively glowed throughout a more than three-hour televised “cabinet meeting,” and rightly so. No other president in U.S. history has ever listened to so many […]

First they came for women’s reproductive freedom, and I didn’t speak up because I am too old to get pregnant. Then they came for the drag queens and trans people, […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater We hear a lot of talk these days about “the rule of law” but not so much about what those words mean. They mean that […]

By Darrell Kerby There’s an unspoken truth in Bonners Ferry—something subtle yet enduring, quietly stitched into the everyday rhythm of life. I’ve been aware of it for years, as have […]

“Born to Lug” and lug again March 2, 2010 A beast of burden is supposedly an animal, such as a donkey, ox or elephant, used for transporting loads or ding […]

Fender Bender? Devastating Collision? Deer strike? Did you know that you get to choose the auto body repair shop to help get you back on the road? After a collision, […]

By: Helen Chase I know I may not be in the majority, but I do know that many people agree with me. We are a little town with a terrible […]

You say Potato, she says Potawto and I say Patootie By Ken Carpenter November 13, 2010 This story could be known as a small penance for my sins of the […]

When I was working to promote Prop 1 I did so by working through “Veterans for Idaho Voters.” One of my fellow veterans in that organization was Todd Achilles. At […]

Do sighs really matter? November 24, 2010 Humans are the great communicators of the universe. They communicate with words, with looks, with body language, with sign language and, when all […]

Want more passing lanes between Bonners and Sandpoint? How you can help: There have been a lot of very bad accidents and close calls for people driving between Bonners Ferry […]

The nonpartisan CRFB (Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget) projects that our Social Security and Medicare trust funds are a little more than seven years away from insolvency. When the […]

The Necktie, a Strangler for the Ages October 2, 2004 I have never been a big fan of getting choked. There’s just something about it that is distasteful, besides the […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater The envelope in my mailbox screamed out, “this ENDORSEMENT has IDAHO LIBERALS worried.” Fearing the worst, I gingerly opened the envelope, only to find that […]

Attorney general Raul Labrador says an Idaho teacher displayed a sign in her classroom designed to signal adherence to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Emma Epperly, idednews.org, says it’s time Labrador wake up.

Reflections from Bonners Ferry on the decade that tested America’s soul and shaped its spirit By Darrell Kerby While much of America burned with unrest during the 1960s, Bonners Ferry […]

Out of Kilter February 2, 2008 By Ken Carpenter I am hobbling around today cursing the long-departed owners of the Piggly Wiggly supermarket chain, Sylvan Goodman. He was the demented […]

Ever feel like when you’re trying to figure out faith, there’s just a lot of confusing noise out there? Like everyone’s got an opinion, but nobody’s giving you the straight […]

During my time in the Idaho Senate, I witnessed something both earnest and troubling—a fellow senator, with good intentions but misplaced priorities, proposed legislation that would mandate all bicycles be […]

The Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law on Independence Day, wasn’t just fireworks and fiscal philosophy—it carried within it a spark of redemption for America’s neglected rural hospitals. Buried deep […]

Confessions of a Bathroom Reader August 2, 2003 I can’t remember how old I was when I started taking my passion for reading behind the locked door of the family […]

By Darrell Kerby There was a time not long ago when Idaho stood tall and clear in its conviction: “Hate has no home here.” I remember the signs—“Idaho is Too […]

On June 2, the Boundary County commissioners declared a “local emergency.” They are concerned, they say, about “an imminent threat to public safety, property, and local emergency response capacity” related […]

Sweatless lips and odorous feet, and give them something good to eat… I had a short but interesting message on my answering machine last week. A mysterious woman told me […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Delegates to the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia on the Fourth of July in 1776, issued a remarkable document, proclaiming the thirteen colonies in […]

Out of Kilter presents: Don’t Minimize your Preservatives Intake; Eat Velveeta By Ken Carpenter November 25, 2005 As I sit here typing with one hand and lovingly nuzzling a two-pound […]

By Toni Lawson, Chief Advcocacy Officer Idaho Hospital Association Imagine you work hard to run your business and make a living. You sell a product that costs you $100 to […]

You’re never too old to heed the wisdom of your parents. Think back—at some point, you were told to be kind, to respect others, and maybe even that if you […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Donald Trump has repeatedly shown disrespect for America’s non-political military forces for selflessly performing their role of serving the country’s vital security interests. That likely […]

So… it’s happening. The long-feared war with Iran has begun—an attempt to prevent them from acquiring nuclear weapons. The usual voices have already weighed in. Some decry the Israeli strike […]

By Darrell Kerby Back in the day—okay, maybe just a few years ago—I went toe-to-toe with the Idaho Transportation Department, lobbying for a traffic light at US 95 and Alderson […]

Land-Rich, Cash-Poor: Idaho’s Forgotten Wealth Idahoans have never been afraid of hard work. We’re the kind of folks who build roads in the morning, mend fences by noon, and debate […]

When Alarmism Clouds Rational Debate  Political discourse today is saturated with dramatic warnings and dire predictions. Critics of President Donald Trump often paint his leadership as an existential threat to […]

American democracy, though tested by challenges, remains deeply entrenched in the nation’s fabric. Its resilience is not accidental—it is built upon a foundation of adaptable institutions, a deeply rooted democratic […]

The topic of cremation often sparks questions and concerns, especially within the Christian community. While burial has been traditional for centuries, cremation is becoming increasingly common. This has led many […]

My, what big ears you have my dear… April 9, 2006 I was surprised to read this week that a Hindu textbook for 14-year-old students in a northern state of […]

From Bonners Ferry to Boundless Horizons: Envisioning the Future of Local Graduates In the quiet resilience of Bonners Ferry, a unique narrative unfolds each year as high school graduates’ step […]

Reflections on D-Day and Its Enduring Legacy June 6, 1944—known around the world as D-Day—marks a date that holds deep meaning for me. As a baby boomer, I was born […]

By Darrell Kerby Bonners Ferry Boundary County Commissioners have taken a proactive stance on addressing the extreme fire risk created by the U.S. Forest Service’s current inability to mitigate wildfire […]

As a pastor for over 20 years, I’ve walked alongside people navigating the complexities of faith and life. One topic that consistently sparks questions and diverse opinions is alcohol. I’ve […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater  Ever since the defeat of the Axis Powers in World War II, America has been admired around the world as a beacon of equality, freedom […]

Out of Kilter presents Do not ask, “How are you?”, unless you really want to know By Ken Carpenter July 31, 2024 There are many salutations you can use when […]

So, according to the Washington Post, the Annual Viet Nam Vet’s recognition ceremony will be relocated from the Viet Nam Memorial to Arlington.  That memorial is of immense solemn significance […]

Hey Boundary County Friends: Thad and Kaila DeBuhr of YourJesusJourney.com will be in Bonners Ferry in June. If you’d like to connect with them, please email them at YourJesusJourney@gmail.com. Here’s […]

Bridging Communities: Forging a Legacy of Trust and Sustainability In a landscape marked by historically distinct governance systems, few partnerships rival the groundbreaking joint power agreements forged between the Kootenai […]

My heart sank the other day when I witnessed it again: that reflexive, well-meaning, yet deeply damaging act of unsolicited advice. It’s a habit we’ve all fallen into, and it’s […]

A New Era in Grizzly Management: Balancing Conservation, Community, and Safety – The management of grizzly bears in the Selkirk Cabinet region now stands at a pivotal crossroads. Over the […]

What did the bra say to the top hat? You go on a head; I’ll give these two a lift.  

Out of Kilter presents: An itis for every day of the week, and the month, and the year By Ken Carpenter November 17, 2003 It seems like everybody in the […]

Bonners Ferry Rants, Raves and Rabbit Holes was meant to be an escape, an online sanctuary… where this community could vent among peers, scream and stomp their feet for a […]

By Darrell Kerby Bonners Ferry The recent passage of our two‐year maintenance and operations levy in School District #101 — with 2,135 voters in favor — demonstrates that our community […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Ever since the Statue of Liberty raised her torch in New York Harbor, America has welcomed the “homeless, tempest-tossed” masses from foreign shores. Those seeking […]

For decades, wildlife conservation has operated under a flawed premise: that nature thrives best when human presence is minimized. Nowhere is this more evident than in grizzly bear recovery efforts, […]

  Here is proof that taxes have gone down. I just want people to know the School District 101 Maintenance and Operations Levy that means so much to our community […]

We all benefit from strong schools. That’s why it’s essential we come together on May 20 to vote YES on the school district’s replacement Maintenance and Operations (M&O) levy. We’ve […]

My name is Tanner Liermann. I’m a Marine Corps veteran, a recent graduate of the University of Montana, and someone who was born and raised in Boundary County. I’m writing […]

Dear Mr. Lyndaker (“Misconceptions and misunderstandings,” May 16, 2025), Thank you for your thoughtful critique. I appreciate the opportunity to clarify my original points and to delve deeper into these […]

The Lion and the Lamb: Finding Hope Amidst a World of Suffering (Revelation 5:1-7) Imagine the weight of the world’s pain pressing down on you. Turn on the news, scroll […]

To the Editor, Vote no on the school levy.  Boundary County School District 22 + million-dollar budget exceeds $16,000 per student. The continued supply of money will not correct the […]

Oh, the morality of it! Once upon a time there was a very well-meaning individual who thought he could improve the community he lived in.  He decided that creating a […]

Tsk, Tsk, Tsk, Bonners Ferry…Why no financial data on the city website? Why no financials other than salaries on the state website? It would be nice to see a breakdown […]

I would like to address a few of the misconceptions and misunderstandings presented by Darrell Kerby in his letter of April 20. First of all, Dr. Servheen’s fears of the […]

Out of Kilter presents – Gristle Boy and the Shrinking Brains By Ken Carpenter Back in the caveman days, there was very little pickiness when it when it came to […]

By former BCSD 101 teacher Darrell Kerby Over 40 years ago, I stepped out of the classroom and into the unpredictable world of local government and private business. But no […]

By Thad DeBuhr with ‘Your Jesus Journey’ Have you ever found yourself caught in that familiar mental tug-of-war? You know the one – that moment when a new idea sparks, […]

The time is here to step up and support Boundary County’s youth and our public schools. It was not a good day when I received my RIF (reduction in force) […]

By Darrell Kerby Having been born and raised in Boundary County, I now find myself moving quickly toward my eighth decade here. Not long ago, a newspaper journalist interviewed me […]

Out of Kilter presents – The Doofus in the Machine By Ken Carpenter October 29, 2005 Newfangled contraptions have always had it in for me. In case anybody is wondering, […]

In 1939, Nazi officials established gas chambers and began murdering tens of thousands of German citizens they considered “unfit.” The victims of the so-called “T-4” program included elderly Germans and […]

By Mike Weland America has a long and proud history, Mr. Herndon, of directly raising its middle finger at stupid laws passed by those idiots we on occasion mistakenly elect, […]

By Former Idaho Senator Scott Herndon I admit that I haven’t always paid attention to local government throughout my lifetime. But lately, I can’t help but notice an outbreak of […]

From Foundations School Executive Director, Charli Turner Greetings! I want to share with you the amazing things happening at Foundations School this spring. Foundations School is in its second year […]

By Lee Colson The Bonners Ferry Fire Department would like to thank all of the people involved in the truly successful exercises and burning of the house behind the Mountain […]

On Tuesday, the Bonners Ferry City Council in one small but profound gesture threw down the gauntlet against the stupidity that is the radical right’s anti-woke agenda, establishing a year-around celebration proudly proclaiming this city’s appreciation for our neighbors to the north and even more proudly hoisting the Canadian flag back to its place.

 By Darrell Kerby In a state that prides itself on independence, local governance, and community traditions, Idaho’s legislature has taken an alarming and hypocritical turn. House Bill 96, restricting local […]

Have you noticed? The Canadian flag no longer flies next to the American and Idaho flags near the visitor center in downtown Bonners Ferry, welcoming our friends from the North. […]

Spiritually Dry? Don’t Miss These 5 Desert Lessons Hey there, friends. Ever feel like your spiritual life has hit a bit of a dry patch? Like your prayers are just […]

While my wife and I do not have children or grandchildren currently attending schools in our district, we recognize that the school district represents the heart of our community. It […]

By Mike Weland In an era where fake crises abound and attacks on such integral facets of our existence as schools and libraries are rampant, Boundary County has been pushed […]

Out of Kilter presents – ‘Foot Under Glass, A La Mode’ By: Ken Carpenter August 27, 2006 My feet are shaped more like a shoebox than a shoe. They are […]

By Jim Jones, Idaho Capital Sun May 1, 2025 Although U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, is one of those congressional lifers who does not have a particularly distinguished record on […]

When I scroll through my Facebook page, the vast majority of my posts are about our students—the incredible activities they’re involved in, the memories they’re making, and the pride they […]

Rethinking Our Christianese: 5 Phrases We Might Need to Retire By: Thad DeBuhr with Your Jesus Journey There’s a certain language that develops within Christian circles, phrases we hear so […]

Boundary County, I’m writing to urge your support for the Boundary County Maintenance and Operation Levy. Early voting is in progress, so go vote now. If you can’t make it […]

I admit I’m only one of millions of people angry at President Trump’s lawlessness; preempting the other two main branches of government; defunding of vital services and research; mass firing […]

Out of Kilter Presents: It’s a Fine Pickle I’ve Gotten into this Time By Ken Carpenter July 11, 2006 I have always loved pickled things. I don’t know it for […]

On February 22, at a “town hall” in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (CDA), sponsored by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC), a gang of five men, at the direction of […]

By Georgia Earley Our constitution is a framework of laws of governance which only by agreement and commitment by all citizens, guarantees our liberties. Without “we the people” standing firm […]

By Mike Weland In her opening paragraph, Dorothy Moon is absolutely right. But in gaslighting, that’s how you reel in the gullible. It’s how you brainwash the susceptible. Consider the […]

By Dorothy Moon IDGOP Chairwoman If it’s worth having, it’s worth defending. Our Founding Fathers understood that defending their liberty was worth even more than their lives, their fortunes, and […]

By former Mayor Darrell Kerby Bonners Ferry With the close of 2025 Idaho Legislature, let us again reflect on who we truly are and what it means to be an […]

I had a dream last night … maybe it was from the spicy pizza … who knows where dreams come from? Anyway, I seemed to hear voices from a long […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater A district judge in Utah issued a marvelous decision on April 18, finding Utah’s school voucher law to be unconstitutional. The 60-page decision was based […]

By Former Bonners Ferry Mayor Darrell Kerby The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee may soon become obsolete. For 55 years, this group of bureaucrats has been utilized by federal agencies to […]

Your Jesus Journey The Dangerous Illusion of the Solo Christian – by Thad DeBuhr We live in an age of unprecedented connectivity, yet ironically, many Christians find themselves in a […]

Out of Kilter presents: In a perfect world black licorice would be illegal, served only in purgatory By Ken Carpenter March 7, 2004 I have a co-worker whose undying hatred […]

Op-Ed Submission April 17, 2025 Idaho is on the right path, By Lt. Governor Scott Bedke Like so many of you, I set a resolution each new year. It’s usually […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Senator Mike Crapo said in an April 8 op-ed that “access to affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues” he encounters across Idaho. […]

By Georgia Earley In the last four years under its new rules, the Idaho Republican Political Party has increasingly censored Republican lawmakers, labeling those who don’t “toe the party line” […]

Every Christian is a Witness By: Thad Debuhr – Your Jesus Journey Hey Friend! Ever feel that little knot in your stomach when the idea of sharing your faith comes […]

Out of Kilter presents: Shortcuts to Drive You Crazy By Ken Carpenter July 13, 2003 It is the right indeed it is the obligation, of every human male driver to […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Idahoans can breathe a sigh of relief now that the Legislature has folded its tent and gone home. The bright side of this year’s session […]

Title: Beyond the Guardrails: Embracing God’s Unexpected Choices By Thad DeBuhr – Your Jesus Journey You know, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how often we put God in […]

By Georgia Early Imagine if our legislature endorsed one state religion funded by our taxes, and only members of that faith could vote. And those who practiced or proselytized a […]

Out of Kilter ‘Plumbers of the World Unite…and Make Everybody Pull up their Drawers Please’ Plumbers all over the world have had to live with a stigma of their occupations […]

By Representative Steve Berch We’re entering the end-game portion of the legislative session. There are four games being played as we lurch toward the end (with a lot of negotiations […]

By Timothy Braatz The U.S. Constitution, written in 1787, is a brief instructional manual, sketching out a federal government, what it can and cannot do—a barebones blueprint—not much to “believe […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontator There has been a bit of discussion over the years as to what William Shakespeare’s character, Dick the Butcher, meant when he said: “The first […]