Greater Idaho: Two words that should never exist in the same sentence let alone be coupled. Not only is it bad grammar, it is rude to use. The inference is that Idaho is great (which is an impossibility in itself) and plans to swell to greater greatness by absconding with parts of Eastern Oregon. This is a recipe for disaster. The two don’t, won’t and never will mix. It would be the equivalent of taking sleeping pills and a laxative simultaneously.

Historically, Oregon Territory, established in 1848, included Idaho and in 1859 Oregon became a state excluding Idaho which didn’t even make it is as a territory until 1863 not becoming the 43rd state until 1890. As a Johnny-come-lately, Idaho is certainly in no position today to be playing Oliver, thinking it deserves more. It doesn’t.

Of course, not all the movement comes from potato-crazed advocates within as there are nut-cases in Oregon who think moving borders is easier than moving to Idaho. Just because Salem doesn’t always address our needs or wants doesn’t mean we should go running to a goat-oriented state and expect miracle solutions when all Idaho is going to do is rape our resources, subdivide our farmland, subdivide some more and let its senators carry on with scandalous behavior in airport bathrooms.

There is no need for a crystal ball to look into regarding how Idaho treats its land. The Magic Valley and the Treasure Valley are both growing unchecked and soon will combine into what can only be called the Tragic Valley. Increasing its girth with nefarious methods Fatter Idaho describes this ill-conceived idea better. In fact, wouldn’t it be far more beneficial for civilization if we moved Idaho, lock stock and smoking AK-47 barrel, to the Middle East and sandwich it between the other two “I” regional troublemakers, Iraq and Iran?

Seriously though, why should we move our borders to accommodate a small minority of Ammon Bundy followers too lazy to just get up and move to Idaho? And for those Idahoans who wish to migrate to Oregon and make it something it isn’t, then it’s time to build a wall.

We here in Eastern Oregon have no need to brag about our famous potatoes on our license plates. We have no need to brag about famous anything where we live. We are humble. In fact, I’m the humblest person I know.

Whit Deschner

Baker City