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Why is it OK to separate children from U.S. citizens, but not from immigrants?

Thank you for providing such good coverage of Sen. Tester’s talk in Whitefish. However, upon reading the article I find myself confused and am seeking help in trying to understand why he feels “…separating children of suspected illegal immigrants from their parents in federal detention facilities reprehensible.”

This practice is the norm at all law-enforcement agencies throughout the United States. If the parents are jailed, the children are turned over to Child Protective Services or a similar agency until the parents are released from jail and a judge determines the children can be returned to their parents.

If this practice is acceptable for U.S. citizens, why is it “reprehensible” for non-citizens?

I would appreciate any help that your readers can provide to enlighten me as to why there should be a dual standard. (Of course, it could just be politics, but then we all know that Sen. Tester is above that type of policy). —Dale B. Heldstab, Columbia Falls

Whitefish clinic is welcome addition

Here in the Flathead Valley, we are fortunate and blessed to have the re-opening of All Families Healthcare with two highly qualified health practitioners who supply quality health care to women, family members and others in our community regardless of their financial circumstances.

The primary commitment of Susan Cahill and Helen Weems is to the health and wellness of all members of our community. Their services include general wellness, along with family planning by supporting their clients with affordable health care and much needed contraceptive options.

Fortunately for us, they provide a choice not to add to the ever-growing number of more than 4,000 unwanted children that are in foster homes in Montana, more than 350 homeless children in our two local high schools in Kalispell, and the many children in our community who live in situations where drugs and abuse are prevalent. Clearly, there are too many children in our community whose basic needs including love, security and nurturance are not being met.

With all that Susan has gone through, she continues to come from her heart and stand by her convictions to be of service along with the help of Helen Weems. We, as a community, should be supporting their efforts with gratitude and respect.

Perhaps those individuals judging other people’s choices might be of greater service by opening their homes as foster and/or adoptive parents through the Caring Bridge (406-837-2246, www.caringbridge.org), and/or helping to fund the Sparrows Nest for homeless children (sparrowsnestnwmt.org), and the local Planned Parenthood (406-751-8150) to provide good parenting education and adequate birth control for those in our community.—Carla Hannaford, Kalispell

Is Tester tooting his own horn too often?

Would it be OK to let you know I have suspicions about Sen. Jon Tester’s reasons for tooting his own horn? I’ve noticed his excellent portrayal of himself in his online and newspaper writings. It’s truly a good thing for a public servant to let his people know he’s serving them, if he is.

BUT I hear many suspicious things, including:

- Jon Tester has forgotten who sent him. He’s in the pocket of the bigwigs.

- Jon Tester votes the Democratic ticket 100 percent. (I do realize he’s a Democrat.) He evidently loves to spend taxpayer money, though he claims to have gotten a LOT of money for Montana projects, needs, and wants.

- Jon Tester claims to have Great Influence in matters that are no-brainers. Those agenda items would’ve gotten done without his help, so I hear from other lawmakers.

- Jon Tester is putting on a big show of being a public servant when he is just really a PROFESSIONAL congressional member now.

I know he’s very proud of being the ranking member on several congressional committees. But I’m suspicious of all professional Congress people. I personally believe in term limits.

Jon Tester was not respectful of the United States or the president at the State of the Union Address. I was honestly surprised to see him remain seated along with other Democrats. I didn’t know he was such a groupie and I don’t respect his behavior there.

I’d like to bring to your attention that professional Congress people profit greatly after getting into office and many of them would like to stay there the rest of their lives. I don’t plan to support Jon Tester for the U.S. Senate in November. —Dianne Hansen, Fortine

Fix Whitefish Stage

There are three basic north-south roadways between Whitefish and Kalispell. They are U.S. 2, Whitefish Stage, and U.S. 93.

Whitefish Stage between Reserve and Montana 40 is a complete road hazard. The road is deplorable. There are deep ditches on both sides of the roadway, the road surface is loaded with irregularities, and the road surface is uneven.

This means that one third of the north-south roads between Whitefish and Kalispell are in horrible condition. The state needs to take action. —Bob Sadler, Kalispell

Dogs being given too much respect these days?

Dogs were always part of my family. Only in the last few years have we been without a dog.

Even though I love dogs, I see a breakdown of boundaries with dogs intruding into our personal spaces. I don’t appreciate dogs in restaurants, grocery stores and other once dog-free spaces. Last week, I saw dogs in the aisles of two big stores in Kalispell. Their owners seemed oblivious to the possibility their dogs might be intrusive. Some of us have pet allergies and don’t always trust their own safety around canines.

Last year, I received a call from Delta Airlines, asking my permission to change seats to meet the needs of another passenger. I agreed. When arriving on my flight, I noticed a dog in the seat I had so graciously relinquished. When asking the flight attendant about it, she explained my seat was for an emotional support dog.

Seeing a dog in my personal space always brings back a terrifying event where my young son walked up to a dog on a leash. The owner remarked how much her dog loved children; he never hurts anyone. My son walked slowly, holding out his hand to stroke his neck. The dog growled, jumped on top of him and bit the side of his face. The woman jerked back on his leash but it was too late. Blood spewed everywhere. After 10 stitches to close the wound, the scars on his face continually remind me of that awful day.

I am asking dog owners to be more respectful and considerate of others. Not everyone wants to be in the forced company of your dog. Please keep your dog out of stores and public spaces such as restaurants, grocery stores and airplane seats. —Carol Santa, Marion

D’Souza is not worthy of anyone’s respect

I find it very troubling that according to the Daily Inter Lake the extreme right-wing author and filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza was very popular with so many of our conservative Montana leaders and ones desiring to become political leaders.

I also read with dismay that while the Daily Inter Lake was permitted to cover D’Souza’s lecture, reporters from the Missoulian and Montana Public Radio could only speak with attendees outside.

To the leaders and ones desiring to be our future leaders, the state of our present political discourse does not need to be fed by this convicted felon who mocks Florida students after the recent killings. In my opinion he is vile, hateful, and loves to share his far-right historical views with very little facts to support them …. as long as he can blame the liberals.

I truly hope that our conservative leaders and future leaders find better ways to “support each other,” and I request that they find their moral compass somewhere else. —Leland Walbruch, Kalispell