The Citadel at St. Maries

Some people are hoping to form a new, planned community in Benewah County, Idaho.

According to the St. Maries Gazette Record, the new community will be walled and all residents, up to 7,000, will have to sign an agreement or pledge. This is to insure that all are like minded and think appropriately. The enclave is to be called the Citadel.

The group has already purchased small acreage in the county, which they are calling the “beachhead,” to showcase its plans.

According to the paper, everyone from socialists to establishment Republicans will be unwelcome.

It is a frightening idea, although one not unknown in northern Idaho.

The more that people are isolated and ignore other ideas and influences, the more dangerous the world becomes.

History is a litany of conflicts over differences. Often differences are hard to overcome, but groups that separate themselves from the rest of the world only bring suspicion upon themselves and breed suspicions of others.

The newspaper could not get an interview with these people. They accused the paper of not dealing in facts. They plan to get their story out by starting their own newspaper along with their own weapons factory.

This country does not need more isolated groups reinforcing their preconceived ideas. It needs more people to rub shoulders, to accept differences and work out areas of conflict.

We’ve seen what enclaves of “like-minded” people can do.

Usually, it is not pretty.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher