No headline

Clarification from legislator

In my letter in the Inter Lake on June 4, I erroneously stated that House Bills 6 and 11 passed by the Legislature included some funding for the Flathead Conservation District and the Whitefish and Bigfork water districts. Each of these bills did contain funding for infrastructure projects. While the Flathead projects were included in the bills, they were down on the priority list and did not make the list of funded projects. Funds that are not used by higher-ranked projects will become available to lower-ranked projects. I apologize for any confusion that was caused by the misinformation. —Keith Regier, Kalispell Republican, SD3

Trump, history and politics

I’m beginning to think Trump is not well equipped to be president, but is being propped up by the staff around him... These things happen. If so, I’m hoping staff and Cabinet members can keep his lid on. With the power of the presidency, bad things can happen in this complicating world.

And speaking of, good Sunday column by Frank Miele on May 7 (“The war of words over Trump and the Civil War.”) Some real history there. Actually the seeds for Civil War started the moment the Constitution was signed. Perhaps accelerated by the waffling of President Buchanan. But there’s also something called the “Thucydides Effect,” coined by a modern historian. Essentially it involves a downward spiral of clashing egos, leading to unnecessary war. WWI might be the best example in modern times.

Still in reference to Miele’s column: The Constitution is nothing like a religious document, but a compromise among feuding parties. They continued to feud, largely involving the economics of states’ rights over federal rights. (Note: slaves were considered an asset on the balance sheet for properties which needed to borrow to plant and the Northern manufacturers didn’t want competition from Europe). The South didn’t want counter reaction to tariffs because they exported an agriculture product (cotton). The shakeout (Civil War) may have been inevitable.

Meanwhile (and this may be shifting subject to a degree): What bugs me is definition of Democrat by some Republicans to gain political points. It’s being misused in terms of historical context. A label might not change but what’s going on beneath it does.

For example, in more recent history: The 40s, 50s and early 60s, there was what they called the solid (Democratic) South. Members included powerful senators and governors like Rivers, Thurmond, Wallace and Maddox, among others. After the Civil Rights Act passed and Johnson sent troops down to enforce it (as Mr. Miele wrote about Jackson, it was done to prevent what they call nullification), those types of politicians abandoned ship... Now a good part of the South remains solid. Under the Republican label. The association between those Democrats and today’s is completely out of whack.

I think we all wish the political class would tell us what’s actually going on as opposed to simply acting in their respective interests. With little hope, they should supply us with the real details behind their respective positions so we can make voting decisions based on facts. Most of us understand the uncertainties as we try to move toward a better future. —James How, Kalispell

Story about hunter was ‘disgusting’

Are you serious? The front-page coverage featuring that trophy hunter was absolutely disgusting. Your paper can’t be that hurt up for local news that you MUST resort to such a vile story! Where’s a front-page story (with photos) of our Sheriff Chuck Curry? That man is a real hero! Not only does he protect and serve our community, but he is a life saver in so many ways! Look at how he and his team worked for days (and I am guessing, nights, too) in searching and then finally rescuing Madeline Connelly lost in those deep dark woods. You could have ongoing daily stories about Sheriff Chuck Curry and his deputies. They never stop protecting us. And, how about our firefighters and their gallant service to the general public? Or our many teachers and the clergy of the valley? You have such an over-abundance of decent wonderful people to write about and share “their story,” but no ... you chose “sensationalism” and something truly blood-thirsty for the front page. Shame on YOU! —Brenda T. Anderson, Columbia Falls

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Daily Inter Lake writes stories about interesting people in the Flathead, including hunters and law officers. We do not endorse their individual beliefs unless we write an editorial to do so, but for the record we do not consider hunting to be “disgusting.”)

Letter writer was wrong to ‘revile’ Glacier Park managers

Unfortunately, the guest opinion titled “Creative problem-solving needed in Glacier Park” (May 14, Daily Inter Lake) disregards the Field of Dreams metaphor for the Law of Attraction: “If you build it, they will come.”

The opinion piece calls for more parking spaces to mitigate Glacier’s overcrowding and to satisfy “...the needs of the people whom you [i.e., park managers] serve.” Seriously? Additional parking spaces would fill before the dust from the bulldozers settled. And the only thing achieved would be the sacrifice of a little more sensitive wild lands and their values. That doesn’t sound like a very creative process to me.

It is also unfortunate that the author chose to revile park managers and Superintendent Mow’s efforts to address Glacier’s overcrowding as “pathetic problem-solving.” That only demonstrates a lack of civility and understanding of the legal mandates park managers must follow. The 1916 National Park Service “Organic Act” requires parks to be managed “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such a manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for future generations.” And specifically that “when there is a conflict between conserving resources and values and providing for the enjoyment of them, conservation is to be predominant.”

Instead of sharp and misdirected criticism of park managers, I believe it would be more constructive to support and encourage Superintendent Mow and his staff to continue to follow the Organic Act mandates while addressing Glacier’s overcrowding challenge. —Bob Muth Sr., Kalispell