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Not afraid of wireless towers

Moms demand common sense on gun reform

On Feb. 14, 2018, I watched in horror as children were once again forced to cower in classrooms and hallways as a gunman stalked their school grounds and murdered 17 of their classmates, friends, and teachers.

I have had enough, so I joined our local Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense network. Our mission focuses primarily on promoting gun safety. We support the Second Amendment. We’re working to keep guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them, via working on Red Flags Bills, defeating the concealed carry reciprocity bill, and asking that legislators pass universal background checks.

I refuse to sit back and do nothing when there are data-supported, concrete steps that can be taken to save lives. We cannot have common-sense gun reform if Americans continue to refuse common sense.

Those who “March for Our Guns” bemoan that liberals want to take their guns. This sentiment is unfounded. Ninety-seven percent of Americans support universal background checks.

American rights come with responsibilities. It’s our responsibility to create a culture of responsible, sensible gun ownership, which starts with requiring background checks where they are lacking, (which will save a significant number of lives, the primary goal of Moms Demand Action), storing weapons appropriately, and using weapons at the appropriate time and place.

As a mother, I have the serious and urgent responsibility of ensuring my children come home unharmed from school and the homes of others, that they can attend school and socialize with friends without fear, and that they grow up to be responsible, respectful citizens who value the lives of others as they do their own.

Learn more at www.momsdemandaction.org and join us in the fight for our children’s lives and please contact us at montana@momschapterleaders.org. —Emily Lucas, Kalispell

A second look at scriptures on judgment and sacred life

Barbara Palmer, in her letter, addressed comments made by letter writers concerning acts of abortion performed by the All Families Clinic. Has, may I ask, Barbara ever read God’s comments regarding the subject? God’s statements regarding the sacredness of developing life in the womb? Psalm 123:3 — “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.”

Job 31:15 — “Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?”

Children are a blessing, not to be butchered in the womb. The exception may be complications developing during the pregnancy. If the mother’s health or life is threatened by the pregnancy. That’s another matter.

When listing a scripture it is always best to read the context of the scripture to gain an understanding of just how the scripture is being used.

Matthew 7:1 reads “Judge not, lest you be judged.” But Jesus explains further in verses 2-5, “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” If you point out the sins in others without considering the sin in your own life, that’s being a hypocrite.

BUT! Pointing to God’s judgments — is that you doing the judging? And pointing out how God feels about the unborn in the womb — is that being a hypocrite? That butchering human beings in the womb is condemned by God, that life belongs to God who created the process — is that being a hypocrite?

It has been pointed out before that other organizations exist that provide help but do not condone abortion. —Robert Tebeau, Kalispell

Lincoln Co. commissioners are wrong to blame state for enforcing law

A guest opinion by our Lincoln County commissioners about Hecla Mining and the state of Montana’s attempt to enforce the “bad actor law” in regards to their proposed Montanore and Rock Creek projects, bears some additional comment.

I will agree, with everything I’ve heard and read about Hecla, that they sound like they’ve developed a credible track record of a responsible and ethical mining company. At issue is the commissioners’ statement that, at the time, Chief Financial Officer Phillip Baker was “neither a principal or controlling member of Pegasus Mining,” which left the state holding the bag for millions at the Zortman Landusky mine in north central Montana.

I guess we could split hairs all day but a CFO, better than anyone else, has his finger on the pulse of the finances and future of a corporation. Declaring bankruptcy isn’t just something that you wake up in the morning and it sounds like a good idea. There is no doubt in my mind this was well-orchestrated and years in the making.

For salt in the wound, the corporate officers (which normally includes CFOs) walked away with giving themselves millions in bonuses while the taxpayers got stuck with a $32 million clean-up bill and $2 million annual water treatment tab, forever.

Personally, I think the “bad actor” law is a little odd, like locking the barn door after the horse is gone, but maybe its intent was to keep the next horse in before it runs away. But the law is the law and laying blame on the DEQ and governor’s office is wrong.

Lastly, what disappointed me most from the commissioners’ opinion is the disregard for Lincoln County history, once again tripping over themselves at all costs for a corporation to move in under the promises of jobs and economic prosperity, when it’s almost always a bust. In the meantime, small businesses and entrepreneurs who are keeping this place alive are largely ignored. —Tom Horelick, Libby