LETTERS: Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Take the airport off the back of city taxpayers

I have been following the debate surrounding the Kalispell City Airport.

A little research revealed the plans to expand this into an Industrial Air Park. The artist’s conception of the expanded site with industries, factories, and distribution warehouses falling all over themselves to compete for, build and maintain the airport as a self-sustaining enterprise was intriguing.

Oops! My bad. All of these plans were contained in the 1966 Industrial Manifest of Montana. None of this materialized. Instead, for the past 50 years, the citizens of Kalispell have had to support this albatross with their taxes. Everyone pays to benefit a few.

Enough is enough. If the city benefits so greatly from the airport, quit picking my pocket to support it! —Richard Funk, Kalispell

Muslim refugees are real threat

We are the Muslims’ avowed enemies. It is always jihad with us. If President Obama keeps letting Muslims into this country, we are going to have incidents like Orlando all over this country. In fact, we could have a civil war and the front lines will be your home.

Ask Israel about the Muslims. It has conducted an ongoing battle with Muslims for many years. Study the Ottoman Empire and what it was like.

These immigrants from Syria have many healthy looking young men with them, of military age. Why are they not back in their own country fighting ISIS? Do you think it is to America’s advantage in any way to bring them here? —Sinowa Cruz, Kalispell

Juneau has record of getting things done

Thanks to Denise Juneau’s leadership as the state superintendent of public instruction, Montana’s graduation rate has reached a record high of 86 percent.

That historic graduation rate means a stronger economy for all Montanans. In fact, according to the Alliance for Excellent Education, Montana will see a $6 million annual boost to the state’s economy from the graduates we’ve added since 2009. But raising Montana’s graduation rate has never been about a number. It’s about making sure every student in Montana, no matter their zip code, has an equal shot at success. When Montana kids succeed, we all benefit.

Now Denise wants to take her record of getting things done to Congress, where she’ll fight for better-paying jobs, access to quality schools, and protecting our cherished public lands. We have only one voice for Montana in the U.S. House. Let’s make sure that seat is held by Denise Juneau, who has a proven record of getting things done for all Montanans! —Dianne Grove, Whitefish

Trump wrongly accused of attacking Khan

In response to Mr. Josh Manning’s Aug. 7 guest opinion:

Mr. Trump did not criticize Capt. Khan. Mr. Trump was attacked by Capt. Khan’s father. I believe Mr. Khan was a plant by the DNC to disparage Mr. Trump. In my opinion, Mr. Khan is a lawyer in the business of helping bring Muslims into this country who support sharia law and destroy our Constitution, paying him large sums of money to do so.

Mr. Manning  goes on a rant about Mr. Zinke, our Republican congressman, for saying the Democrats’ nominee should apologize for offending the military and their families. Manning says he’s not sure what Clinton is accused of. He must have forgotten that she withheld requested security for Benghazi by our ambassador in Libya, then lied to the surviving  family members about the cause of the terrorist attack that killed the ambassador and three other men (two of whom disobeyed orders not to try to save the ambassador and the other at the consulate).

He also calls Mr. Trump the candidate of hate. This is the standard response of the Democrats when someone disagrees or criticizes them — calling that person a hater, bigot, sexist, homophobe or any other vile name they can think of (a kindergarten response).

Mr. Chris Mark’s letter (also in the same paper) mentions that Capt. Khan volunteered and was not forced into military service, nor are any others who are serving their country through military service. I salute all who are serving. I volunteered in 1960 and  was happy to do so; it was one of the most important decisions I made in my life (second only to trusting in the Lord). The military taught me more respect for my country and gave me training that was important in my future career.

Many who protested the military in the Sixties never respected our country. The Democratic candidate for president was one of those demonstrators. How can we trust this person when the FBI director told us that as secretary of state, she did some very irresponsible things with her emails? He also told Congress she did not tell them the truth when she testified to a congressional committee. Do we want a leader of this nation who cannot be trusted with the truth or the security of classified material? —Dexter Hamilton, Kalispell

Corporations could be after Flathead water

What a timely coincidence in the August 7 edition of The Daily Inter Lake.  

On Page C6 the article discusses the resignation of the Waitsburg, Washington, mayor for secretly negotiating with the Nestle Water Company to open a $50 million water bottling plant in the Pacific Northwest. The town rebuked the idea so Nestle is looking for another location. Also mentioned is the fact that Hood River, Oregon, imposed a ban on commercial water bottling via a ballot measure that was passed by its citizens.

On Page C7, Mr. and Mrs. Weaver explained their version of their water company. I agree with Mr. Weaver that a lot has been said opposing his proposed water bottling plant. The only comment I would add for him, the community members and our community leaders is to read the article on Page C6, as Nestle is without a doubt looking for its next major commercial site. —Fred Martino, Kalispell

Prediction about Obama’s future

So if Hillary gets to be president, would it not be a grand surprise if we ended up having Obama for life?

... As a justice on the Supreme Court? —Paul Fossler, Coram