By Eric Valentine
Depending on your filter, February made Idaho lawmakers look like either option A) white supremacists who would prefer teachers to carry firearms rather than educate kids about sex, or option B) family-friendly advocates who care about protecting children and being a voice for the wrongfully convicted.
In today’s sociopolitical climate of zero-sum games and infotainment, it’s not much surprise that the same set of events can be seen in such different ways. So how did all this surface during the current legislative session in Idaho?
Social Media Meditation
Photos posted last week on Lt. Governor Janice McGeachin’s Facebook page showing her posing with two men flashing controversial hand signals received widespread scorn and have since been taken down. But not before allegations of white supremacy and a vehement defense of Idaho’s first female lieutenant governor were unleashed.
McGeachin posed for a photo with the two men wearing orange prison jumpsuits in support of Todd C. Engel, who is serving time in federal prison for his role in the Cliven Bundy standoff. Many folks across the state view Engel as entirely innocent, at best, and too harshly convicted, at worst, but around the rest of social media, two men wearing orange prison jumpsuits inside the State Capitol flashing a hand signal interpreted by some as the white power gesture was jarring.
To others who are familiar with the Three Percenters movement in general, and Engel’s case in particular, the hand signals are patriotic. The Three Percenters movement derives its name from the claim that only 3 percent of the population took up arms against Great Britain during the American Revolution. It should be noted that the lieutenant governor’s hand signal is the heart shape. “Sending love to Todd Engel …” is how her post begins.
In a written response, McGeachin said, “The photo was intended to show support for Engel and nothing more. No other messages were intended in this photo. To claim otherwise is ridiculous, and is part of a larger narrative to paint conservative leaders as embracing identity politics.”
Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby
Meanwhile, a sex education opt-in bill was introduced to lawmakers last week. Rep. Barbara Ehardt (R-Idaho Falls) sponsored the sex-ed bill, saying sex-ed courses taught in Idaho schools do not align with Idaho values.
Specifically, Ehardt took issue with a course being taught in 17 high schools across Idaho that she says goes beyond health education and into shaping beliefs and behaviors. The Idaho School Boards Association opposed her bill, but the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise was among the organizations supporting it.
An overflow room needed to be opened to accommodate members of the public (largely, students, parents and educators) attending the introductory committee-level hearing. Pushback centered on the fact that the onus would be placed on parents who want their kids to learn sex education. Current law allows parents to opt their student out of the curriculum, but the new law would require them to do the legwork to opt in.
The bill now heads to the full committee for a vote on Friday.
Let’s Not Talk About Guns
Sponsored by Rep. Chad Christensen (R-Ammon), a concealed carry bill would allow people with enhanced concealed-carry permits to bring their firearms on to school campuses and not report that they have a weapon on them to any school official or fellow educator. Current law lets local school boards decide to let teachers or others carry guns in schools, but Christensen’s bill takes away the local option and allows it across the state.
To supporters of the bill, it’s a common-sense approach to protecting students from being victims of a mass shooting. In addition, the language of the bill requires anyone carrying a firearm to have “immediate control” of the weapon and indemnifies schools from liability for any claim that arises out of the lawful concealment of a firearm and prevents schools from taking retaliatory action against a teacher or employee who is lawfully carrying a weapon. The only instance where the permitholder would be required to disclose their possession of a firearm is if a law enforcement officer asked about it in a “reasonable” investigation. The law would not impact private schools.
Opponents—mostly moms all wearing red T-shirts—attended the meeting in droves and had to remain in the hallway and in an overflow room. Public comment was not allowed.
The bill now heads to the full House.