Here he goes again.
Idaho Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Moscow, has lost his temper yet again, proving to be an embarrassment to his constituents and to all of Idaho.
The most recent incident came this week at a bipartisan candidate forum in Latah County.
During the forum, the issue of discrimination came up.
Trish Carter-Goodheart, a Democratic House candidate and a member of the Nez Perce Tribe, responded that discrimination was a problem, citing her own experience with white supremacy in North Idaho, the state’s relatively weak hate crime laws and the presence of Aryan Nations, according to a statement from Carter-Goodheart.
To this, Foreman responded, “I’m so sick and tired of this liberal bull—. Why don’t you go back to where you came from?” and then left the forum, according to Carter-Goodheart’s statement after the event that was corroborated by others in attendance.
First of all, regardless of your politics or whether you agree with Foreman’s policies, we should all agree that these kinds of temper tantrums are inappropriate and unacceptable. This kind of childish behavior has no place among adults who should be attempting to have civil discourse.
After all, Carter-Goodheart didn’t start yelling and storming out when another candidate foolishly asserted discrimination doesn’t exist. She calmly and reasonably sought to refute his claims.
Second, why is it that people like Foreman almost reflexively fall back on the mantra “go back to where you came from” or “if you don’t like it, then leave”?
It’s on the level of the mentality of a schoolyard bully saying, “I know you are, but what am I?”
If we were on Foreman’s level of maturity, we might suggest that he go back to Alaska — where he came from.
But when Foreman tells someone of Native American heritage to “go back to where you came from,” he displays a stunning level of idiocy to pair with his hate. Where, exactly, would Carter-Goodheart go? Is Foreman suggesting that the Nez Perce reclaim land they lived on for hundreds and hundreds of years?
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Foreman has shown his inability to control his temper.
In 2017, police body-worn camera footage caught Foreman in a heated exchange with another man at the county fair, according to the Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
Video footage showed a deputy approach Foreman, who says the unseen man was rude and lecturing him on the Constitution. Foreman then shouted insults and cursed at the man, calling him a “liberal nuttard.”
Gotta give him credit, though: He’s offensive on so many levels.
In 2018, Foreman shouted at University of Idaho students affiliated with Planned Parenthood trying to schedule a meeting with him to discuss birth control and sex education, according to The Associated Press .
Foreman told the students he would call law enforcement officials if they attempted to visit his office at the Capitol — you know, the so-called people’s building.
The students, who had traveled nearly 300 miles from the Moscow campus to participate in a Boise lobbying event, were trying to schedule a meeting with a sitting legislator.
“Abortion is murder,” Foreman shouted at the students in an incident that was caught on camera. “I’m a Roman Catholic and a conservative Republican. I think what you guys are doing stinks.”
So much for talking with your constituents.
One of the students told Foreman, “that’s your choice.”
“You’re damn right it’s my choice, so stay out of my office,” Foreman told the students. “Next time you walk into my office, you’ll be dealing with Idaho State Police.”
Foreman clearly doesn’t learn from his mistakes. Even after being called out for his behavior at this week’s forum, he weirdly and unapologetically took to Facebook to complain about “lefties,” “race baiting,” abortion, homosexuality and transgender rights.
“Does the democrat party challenge the Word of God?” Foreman wrote. “Yes, every person in our state and nation has equal rights under the constitution. That is a good thing. But there are no designer or special rights associated with one’s sexual behavior — sorry democrats and other lefties.”
Foreman seems to be completely incapable of controlling his emotions and conducting himself in a mature and professional manner. That’s a poor reflection on District 6 and poor reflection on Idaho.
Foreman’s behavior is childish and certainly unbecoming of a state legislator from any party.
It’s time for voters to send a clear message by voting him out of office in the election on Nov. 5. He’s not fit to serve.
Statesman editorials are the unsigned opinion of the Idaho Statesman’s editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members Greg Lanting, Terri Schorzman and Garry Wenske.
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