Letters to the editor June 30

Nurse stands with union effort

I am writing in response to the recent article regarding Kalispell Regional Healthcare and the nurses asking for a union vote, and in response to Dr Andy Palchak’s letter.

I am a RN who has worked here 40 years with 20 coming and going as a travel RN. I am of a fifth-generation Montana ranching family. I have always felt KRMC was one of the best and it holds my nursing heart.

I am so saddened by the words expressed recently. I have seen attempts here at unionization in the past and have not supported it. I now stand firmly with this effort. I see RNs whom I have the utmost respect for in tears, attempting to do more with less, having no real voice in what they are required to do.

Dr. Palchak, you say “give the CEO a chance” and I say, give nursing a chance. Nursing is a large part of “local mores, aspirations and hometown care” you speak of and does not seek to change that; but rather have a voice in the big picture. I say to Mr. Lambrecht that nursing does not seek to sacrifice the hospital’s autonomy, but to have a voice. For you and those who say that the nurses organizing will “sacrifice” is simply taking away the place at the table we seek. You speak of providers not wanting to work here, but not of nursing caregivers who have left or are seeking to leave due to the work climate here.

As a travel RN, I have worked at many union houses, there are positives and negatives; and I will say the current union seeking representation here is one I have seen much positive from for all! Nursing does not “seek to jeopardize our independence” but rather to build a stronger environment.

—Anne Gray, Elmo

Accomplishments of 66th session

What passes for evaluation of the last legislative session by writers to the Inter Lake has devolved into character assassination of individuals who have put themselves on the line to protect and defend the constitution of the state of Montana and that of the United States of America. Montana has a pretty unique constitution and if one hasn’t read it, you might want to do that. We really and truly are different. I will not mention attackers by name as I don’t know you or anything about you. However, I’ve known Frank Garner as a devoted public servant who has actually placed his life as well as his reputation on the line. Bob Brown is Montana’s senior Republican. He is so scholarly, he’s almost legendary. So complainers, you have the right: but why not take your turn in the hot seat and see if anyone would support you?

The 66th legislative session was a win for American political process. Things got done! This Legislature worked for the future good of Montana and minimized the posturing which takes away from doing the people’s business. The 66th Legislature prioritized education, began the important process of infrastructure rebuilding, moved to protect a targeted group of native women and girls, and addressed health care for firefighters and, almost 100,000 other neighbors.

This is the Montana we know and love. Now that we remember how it’s done, perhaps next time we can address relief for communities where the livelihood depends upon degrading the environment.

— Donna Maddux, Whitefish

Let kids be kids

I am a first-grade teacher and I would not have approved of the story choice that was read during storytime at Kalispell’s library. I would have kindly asked the librarian to choose another story choice.

I’m going to state it very simply: It’s not about homosexuality or heterosexuality. Stop promoting sexuality to our children. Period. Let kids be kids. Furthermore, this is a subject area I don’t want on my plate as a teacher.

—Eryn Calobeer, Whitefish

Consequences of wireless technology

In the June 16 article “Screen Time,” I was distressed to see no mention of the dire health consequences of wireless technology in wide use in our schools today. Wireless networking technology (WiFi) uses radio waves to provide high-speed internet. Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are invisible electric and magnetic forces that emit radiation. While the human body and the earth itself create low-level EMFs, cellphone tower technologies create artificial EMFs which are millions of times more powerful and more dangerous.

According to bestselling author Doctor Andrew Weil, “Electromagnetic pollution may be the most significant form of pollution human activity has produced this century, all the more dangerous because it is invisible and insensible.”

Global Research states that “For the last couple of decades, countless scientific studies have been warning us of the serious damage being done to our brains and bodies as a consequence of our excessive cellphone habits. The radiation literally fries our neuron, alters our DNA with fractured strand breaks, and causes rising rates of brain cancer, tumors and associated other life threatening diseases.”

In Ripon, California, after two young students were diagnosed with cancer, thousands of parents and community members signed a petition to remove cell towers near their schools. Now we have cell towers located on or near our schools, where students, teachers and neighbors are bombarded with electromagnetic radiation and massive amounts of high-frequency (microwave) radio waves. The closer you are, the greater the danger. Known health effects include headaches, sleep disorders, depression, memory problems, joint and limb pain, cardiovascular distress, low sperm count and birth defects. Even the World Health Organization has acknowledged that radio-frequency radiation may cause cancer.

Millennials, the first generation to grow up using cellphones, are experiencing an unprecedented decline in health. Blue Cross Blue Shield released a study titled “The Health of Millennials”, showing double-digit increases in many medical conditions such as depression, hyperactivity, Type II diabetes, hypertension, psychoses, high cholesterol, cardiovascular conditions, endocrine conditions and more. And yet, the FCC has refused to update its own health and environmental guidelines, addressing only one aspect of potential harm from electromagnetic radiation – heat.

One solution that must be considered in schools is to connect tables and computers directly to the internet via Ethernet cables. Without this remedy we are exposing our most vulnerable population to countless health risks daily.

—Lauralee O’Neil, Kalispell