Republican group opposes Greene visit
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 10 months AGO
Greene
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | February 11, 2023 1:06 AM
COEUR d'ALENE — Tonight's visit from U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, could spark fireworks and is expected to attract protesters.
The group North Idaho Republicans released a statement Friday criticizing the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee for hosting Greene at their annual Lincoln Day Dinner at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.
It called on Idaho's elected leaders to refuse to attend the event that is sold out and expected to have about 600 people.
“North Idaho Republicans stand for the bedrock principles of our party: family, faith, freedom, economic prosperity, personal responsibility and honesty," the statement said. "We believe all Idahoans, and most especially Republicans who have built this state must take a stand for these principles and speak out when outside forces threaten our way of life."
Greene will be the keynote speaker at tonight's dinner. On her website, she is described as "a mother, successful businesswoman, and Christian nationalist patriot."
She was criticized in December for her comments that the Jan. 6, 2021, uprising at the U.S. Capitol “would’ve been armed” and "we would have won" if she and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon had planned it.
Greene also recently caught some heat for yelling when President Joe Biden, during his State of the Union address, claimed some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset.
Greene, in a recent TV interview, defended her actions.
"I along with my colleagues were calling him out," she said. "I think I was just the loudest one because I stood up and screamed liar."
Greene said there has not been a GOP meeting on cutting Social Security or Medicare.
Some have been calling for KCRCC to rescind its invitation to Greene, but Brent Regan, KCRCC chairman, previously told The Press they would not.
Luke Russell, North Idaho Republicans spokesman, said the group's founding members are longtime local Republicans who believe Greene represents division and chaos.
They believe she is grandstanding rather than "trying to solve the real problems in North Idaho and our country."
Protesters are expected to gather at Independence Point starting at 4 p.m. today.
Security is expected to be tight at The Resort and police will be ready to respond if the need arises.
ARTICLES BY BILL BULEY
Companions Animal Center has adopted out nearly 2,000 dogs, cats in 2025
Companions Animal Center has adopted out nearly 2,000 dogs, cats in 2025
As if to prove it, signs on two kennel doors proclaim “I have been adopted! I’m currently waiting to be picked up by my new parents.” One is a timid black mastiff. But the shelter remains crowded. Monday, it has about 50 large dogs filling kennels, including in the new wing oped this year, and there is still a four-month waiting list with names of about 80 dogs that people are looking to surrender pets.
Post Falls man named director of ministry with global reach
Post Falls man named director of ministry with global reach
Grassi, a longtime hunter and fisherman, started what was originally called “Let’s Go Fishing Ministry, Inc.” with a focus on outdoors, men and God. It was later changed to “Men’s Ministry Catalyst." The emphasis was on helping men understand their role as defined in the Bible.
Nonprofit foundation helps family become homeowners for first time
Nonprofit foundation helps family become homeowners for first time
The Young Family’s Foundation launched about a year ago with a mission "to empower young, hardworking families to achieve the dream of home ownership. Even if a family saved $25,000, they would still be $19,000 short of the down payment needed to buy a $550,000 home, which is the median price in Kootenai County. It’s estimated that only about 20% of area households can afford to buy a home.