In a timely announcement, Gov Otter announced a new policy designed to assist victims of domestic violence. Given the news that Rep Steve "A Woman's Place is in the Home" Thayn's son was busted for domestic violence, the new policy just draws more attention to Thayn's embarrassment. This story was broken by the Mountain Goat Report, and a lively discussion ensued here. H/t to the Statesman for crediting MG with breaking the story.
But I digress. I'd like to see Gov Otter issue a policy with real teeth. Direct Fish and Game to write rules that prevent a person convicted of domestic violence from getting a hunting or fishing license for three years or so. Consider a rule that state employees convicted of domestic violence will be discharged upon conviction, or that they're not eligible for merit raises for three years. If Idaho really wants to support families, reducing domestic violence would be a good place to start, and policies with serious consequences can be a part of that.
3 comments:
That's been Otter's M.O. since he took office. Talk a good game, say the right things, but when it comes down to brass tacks offer nothing of substance. Whether the issue is water, transportation infrastructure, taxation, that nasty commute from Star to Boise, or this, the common thread is all talk, no action. Otter seems to have forgotten that there's a difference between being a libertarian and being a statist. Thus far, he's demonstrated he's clearly the latter.
It also goes to show how dysfunctional the Idaho Republicans have become. One one side you have true-believer do-gooder neophytes like Steven Thayn, who want to legislate family values but can't seem to stay on message long enough to have any impact, and then you have folks like Otter, who's certainly been around long enough to know how things work, but for whatever reason doesn't do anything about it. The result is a big mess in the public sector.
People say I'm unorthodox for looking at running for governor three years early. Hell, Otter basically ran for governor for more like _30_ years. Now that he has it, what's he doing with it? That's a valid question if there ever was one.
Isn't there already a law that states that a person convicted of domestic abuse cannot have a firearm? Or is that just in Washington State?
There is a bill by Frank Lautenberg, but I'm not sure of it's scope. It might just apply to federal employees, or it might apply to everyone. I doubt the latter, because the NRA would have gone crazy had that been the case.
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