AP article was nothing but political xenophobia

Conservatives (whatever that means in 2022) are accustomed to the odd bit of baiting in corporate media. But the AP article you ran on March 8 was different. This time the danger of some screwball reading it and violently taking out your frustrations on my family came one step closer. 

As a result I cancelled by subscription to the Daily Bee.

The Associated Press article (March 8, 2022) promoted mistrust and, one could even say, hatred against conservatives in Sandpoint. The story had not one positive thing to say about the many decent people moving here. Many of these newcomers are not even conservatives but liberals fleeing unprecedented madness (vaccine mandates, masks, CRT, gender wars). Leaving corrupt, and yes, ideologically progressive municipalities does not make everyone coming here a "conservative." Growth always presents challenges. But the article (and mayor) chose to deride newcomers as "not nice," "changing the civility of the community," "selling fear," "preparing for war" and then without context called them "white nationalists" and "anti-Democratic actors." This is political xenophobia. 

"Conservative" seems to be any American who endorses traditional (circa 2015) American values. In North Idaho, their biggest sin seems to be in having opposing views to local progressives. Some of our philosophical differences are acute while others are not. They can heal over time. But articles like the Bee's on March 8, however, create friction. Those who don’t seek conflict and want to be left alone are increasingly being bothered by people who let them do either. I don’t know what is expected by poking the bear like this.

My family and I have been treated very well here in Sandpoint. We’ve met great people who note our traditional values and have told us we are very welcome. 

The article shocked and disappointed us. But we are not leaving. 

DEAN CANNON

Sandpoint