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Letters to the editor Aug. 20

| August 20, 2020 1:00 AM

So now many liberals want us to support “Black Lives Matter, Inc”. I don’t wonder why. It is so blatantly obvious that BLM is just a euphemism and a vehicle for the leaders of this “cancel culture” movement who desire to tear this country apart and redo it under their codified versions of socialism and communism. It certainly isn’t about individual black lives as is so painfully obvious when Chicago had, over one weekend, over 100 shootings with 14 deaths, all black without hardly any mention of it in the press. It’s really not about black lives but rather attracting liberal votes and It has been that way ever since Obama was elected and made everything about race. In reality, It’s all about the Democrat political machine — that’s why nothing changes.

The leaders of these groups and in particular our left-leaning press and news organizations refuse to acknowledge what BLM, Inc means to most of the American public: Robbers, thugs, looters and anarchists burning down towns. This is who you want us to support? Not on your life. And please, this isn’t about race — it’s about culture. Most Americans don’t care what color you are, white, brown, black, pink or purple, there is no excuse for actions like we see perpetrated by these BLM adherents. Most of us don’t want anyone associated with that type of ignorant, vile culture around our community and we will fight to guard our town, our citizens, our businesses and our statutes from those types of people.

In addition, the BLM (and Antifa) movement strikingly resembles the “Brown Shirts” employed by Hitler during the 1930s. His group took over the press, castigated and maligned all those who disagreed with them, outlawed the country’s police and finally, instigated riots and general anarchy to give Hitler an excuse to impose his party’s (The National Socialist’s) agenda on everyone. Sound and look familiar?

The vast majority of us from both sides of the political spectrum agree on the goal of positive change for those unfortunates who have to live among the inner parts of our deteriorating major cities. But the BLM movement is so deeply flawed and distrusted it will never enjoy the support of the majority of Americans. In that regard it has become part of the problem, not the solution. Let’s find better ways to accomplish our mutual goals.

—Mark Agather, Kalispell

I recently submitted an opinion to the Daily Inter Lake and it was printed. The response has been as diverse as the current influx of people into the Flathead. People over 50 have given me positive

feedback. A close friend told me “what up? I have to live here also.” We are all entitled to our opinion. The largest response came from folks who live and/or love the North Fork. MY BAD! For some reason I thought they were all citizens of Montana and for that privilege they follow the same rules as the other folks that are lucky enough to be here.

Kudos to all three opinions published in the July 16 issue of the Inter Lake. For this grumpy old guy I would say, well done. I have enjoyed Mr. Holston’s thoughts since moving to the Flathead in the late 80s (he was on local TV - remember antennas?)

Be smart, stay apart.

—Jim Lackey, East Flathead Valley

According to the Montana Governor’s office, “Bears are encroaching on human habitat like we have never experienced before as these populations continue to recover.” This smacks of the same assumption of human privilege and prejudice that drove grizzly bears down to 2% of their former numbers and habitat in the lower 48 states as people claimed the grizzly’s domain for themselves. The meager recent gains in bear populations and reoccupation of bear habitat is barely a blip on the chart of their demise and yet it is being touted as “recovery” while being complained of as “encroachment.”

The privilege and prejudice expressed by the Governor’s Office makes one wonder whether the recommendations being written by the Governor’s Grizzly Bear Advisory Council will be used for anything other than political spin for perpetuating this privilege and prejudice against grizzly bears. We urge the council to abandon consensus on its outstanding issues in order to present the Governor with a more realistic picture of the diversity of opinion in Montana.

To forge consensus through browbeating at this late date will simply present the Governor with a false narrative by which to perpetuate the longstanding human prejudice against grizzly bears.

—Keith Hammer, Kalispell

Our criminal justice system is rooted in racism. In Montana, our Indigenous populations make up only 6% of state residents, but 23% of our incarcerated population. Probation and parole are advertised as necessary, but without the resources to avoid recidivism, parole violations remain a significant stressor for many of those working to rebuild their lives. Most Native Americans that return to prison are not actually committing new crimes, but are violating impossible parole conditions.

The cost and scarcity of treatment programs on reservations means that burdening addictions and mental health problems go unaddressed. This can negatively affect people’s efforts to meet additional reentry obligations, such as finding a place to live and work. Supervision requirements, such as attending check-ins, taking drug tests, and staying in work release programs are all the responsibility of the individual, and there are not sufficient supports to make that possible. Our system as-is puts offenders at a lower ability to escape poverty than before they were arrested.

Montana should increase investments in mental health and addiction services and expand access to services to reduce recidivism. We need our government to establish tribal reentry programs and holistic defense systems for Native Americans on probation and parole.

—Amber Ellison, Missoula