Karen Carpenter died the year I was born. The singing and drumming half of the Carpenters, who defined popular music in the 1970s, passed away at age 32 due to complications from anorexia. While the world was robbed of decades of her amazing voice, modern technology ensures that her talent lives on.
For all that is dystopian about the modern world—unlimited tracking and surveillance, children growing up addicted to screens, and social media gigafrying our brains—there are many things we simply take for granted. When was the last time you spent more than thirty seconds wondering about the lyrics to a song or the name of that one actor in that one movie? Recipes are just a click away, and home repair or auto maintenance projects are far easier than when you had to dig up a heavy paperback manual.
Today, we can listen to nearly every song recorded in the past century with the tap of a finger. We no longer rely on radio stations or record stores to define the soundtrack of our lives. Karen Carpenter may have died when I was just a baby, but I can listen to her voice anytime I want.
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The past week at the Chronicle…
On Monday, regular columnist Savanna DeHay shared the benefits of red light therapy.
I was busy all day Tuesday, working a polling place. The next day I wrote about the results.
On Thursday, I examined how political feuds are often shallow covers for personal beefs. (And holy cow, some people keep doing their best to prove my point!)
On Friday, I continued following that thread, asking why people spend so much time and energy fighting these battles.
Yesterday, I reported that the Attorney General’s Office found no probable cause to charge Sheriff Bob Norris for an incident at a KCRCC town hall earlier this year.
This week I published op-eds by Congressman Russ Fulcher, Idaho GOP chair Dorothy Moon, Ryan Spoon, Attorney General Raúl Labrador, Secretary of State Phil McGrane, Congressman Mike Simpson, and KCRCC chairman Brent Regan.
Whether we agree or disagree with our elected officials and influential political figures, I think it’s important to hear what they have to say. The Gem State Chronicle is a resource for as much information as possible to help you be more effective and engaged.
If you would like Gem State Chronicle to publish your work, please submit it to editor@gemstatechronicle.com. We are pleased to provide an outlet for a wide variety of figures in the world of Idaho politics to share their own messages.
In other news…
Substacks:
Reps. Lucas Cayler and Kent Marmon are hosting a campaign kickoff. Support conservative legislators—a donation of $2,000 gets you a seat with Attorney General Labrador!
Raheem Kassam said that last week’s election results show that the GOP is losing touch with what voters want, and we must correct our course before next November.
Sen. Brian Lenney drew attention to a massive waste of money in our public education system.
Auron MacIntyre echoed some of my points from this week in discussing how the gatekeepers are losing their ability to restrict the flow of information.
Radio host Bill Colley shared some thoughts on the state of politics in Idaho.
Videos:
Just before the election, Michael Knowles gave a terrific speech at the Nixon Library. If you watch one video this week, make it this:
Jason Whitlock joined Auron MacIntyre to talk about the recent brouhaha in conservative discourse:
Idaho’s own Pastor Doug Wilson joined Nick Freitas to discuss why he believes America must be a Christian nation once again:
Jonathan Keeperman, aka Lomez, has partnered with Christopher Rufo for a new podcast. I plan to listen to it shortly but I have no doubt it will be great:
Finally, as the late, great, Rush Limbaugh used to say heading into commercial: “We’ve only just begun. Carpenters, 1970.”
Upcoming Events:
Are you a young person in the Treasure Valley? Join Ada and Canyon youth chairs Ashley Mujagic and Alexis Scott for a “friendsgiving” event on Saturday 11/22:
Remember to go vote on Tuesday if you haven’t already. Thank you all for your support as I continue to bring you news and analysis that empowers you to make positive change in Idaho. Make sure to subscribe, follow me on Twitter, and follow the Chronicle on Facebook, Telegram, YouTube, and Rumble. Have a great rest of your weekend!