Letters to the editor Nov. 5

The gift of normalcy

As parents of Glacier High School cross country runners, we have grown accustom to arranging our fall schedules to travel the state to watch our son and daughter run. Like so many with high school athletes, our house adopts an in-season life which pulses to the rhythm of practices, team events and competitions, both at home and away.

However, this year was much different. Due to COVID-19, spectators were greatly limited. Generally, we were not allowed entrance into races in other towns and waited anxiously for a post-race recap call from our daughter. Because of such limited spectatorship at away events, we are even more grateful for home cross country meets. It seems appropriate to thank those individuals and groups that made such events possible.

Thank you to the athletic departments, coaches and administrators from Flathead and Glacier High Schools for organizing four cross country meets, as other school districts around the state canceled competitions in the face of COVID-19. Thank you, School District 5, particularly Superintendent Micah Hill, for having the courage to allow spectators, and even allowing expanded spectatorship at district held meets, which permitted our daughters’ grandparents to attend some races.

Finally, thank you Rebecca Farm! Rebecca Farm allowed the use of their beautiful property during four cross country races this fall, including the Montana state cross-country meet for all classes. Thank you to the Broussard family and everyone at Rebecca Farm for the generous use of your world-class equestrian facility as a perfect venue for fall cross country, even when winter arrived unexpectedly.

Much like unexpected weather, 2020 has been a year of unexpected events. Despite our ever-changing world, we thank those people in our schools and community who have provided our family with a rare gift this fall: the gift of normalcy.

—Nick and Hanni Hanson, Kalispell

About ‘lies and fabrications’

In answer to the letter titled “Lies and Fabrications” in the Oct. 24 from Mr. Keith Regier, it would seem to me sir, that with all of your political experience you should know by now that neither the Democrat Party or the Republican Party in this state or country has a corner on the market when it comes to making up “lies and fabrications” about the other.

—Janan Beller, Kalispell

Nurses’ union

I congratulate our nurses for their courage and character. They have well-earned our pride in them.

I was a member of a strong union. The consequences are that I retired on a comfortable salary, and I have no concern about health-care costs. Unions have no connection with socialism. They are apart of capitalism, and they have spilled over into public enterprises but have kept their character. One of the principles that underlie unions is that workers are as vital to company success as capital. With equal to equal bargaining, productivity climbs as does service to the customers. Americans work together. Everybody gains. A country that is desperate can return to sanity and pride.

—Robert O’Neil, Kalispell

Learn about climate before you preach it

Lordy, Lordy. Another MD who thinks he is a climate physicist. Dr. John Cole (Nov. 1) links you to his climate-malpractice prescription for climate change, signed by 4,300 MDs.

You can learn the truth about climate change, in non-scientific language, in Climate Miracle, Amazon’s #1 New Release in Environmental Science. A PhD physicist wrote it, and you can read it in less than 60 minutes.

—Ed Berry, Bigfork

Stuck on stupid

In August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina slammed the gulf Coast killing 1,800 people. One of the key recovery coordinators was Gen. Russell Honore who routinely briefed the media, public and politicians. One day, after fielding an unusual number of moronic questions he paused and said “C’mon folks, let’s not get stuck on stupid!”

Unfortunately, on Oct. 23, America hit 225,000 Covid deaths and an all-time record 83,000 new cases. Largely, this is because too many Americans have decided to ignore the proven medical science thats been effective around the world — avoid large gatherings, socially distance, and above all, wear a mask. Unfortunately, we’ve gotten stuck on stupid.

Covid-19 is a virus — a protein and fat coat wrapped around its RNA. It’s considered to be a nonliving organism so it needs a living host cell to grow and reproduce - your living cell, if you’re foolish or careless enough to invite it in by ignoring medical advice. Covid doesn’t care about you; it doesn’t have a brain or a heart; it isn’t empathetic; it doesn’t give a hoot about your rights. It’s a virus.

Covid isn’t Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, socialist or capitalist. It’s a virus.

Covid doesn’t know or care about the Constitution, Bill of Rights, life liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, or Pledge of Allegiance. All it wants is a welcome mat, an open door, and you waiting with open arms and no mask - a virus paradise.

In 1949, Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson wrote that, “The Constitution is not a suicide pact,” yet today, too many Americans are treating it as though it is — insisting that their constitutional rights take precedence over everything else, even if Covid infects and kills their family, friends and fellow Americans.

The nation’s medical experts say that given our present course, 200,000 more Americans will die by the end of January, but that if the majority of us would just wear a mask, 135,000 of those lives could be saved. Lets not stay Stuck on Stupid. Be an American Patriot - put on a mask.

—Brian Peck, Columbia Falls

Leadership on Covid

Covid in Montana continues to grow rapidly and seems out of control. Montana is now one of the biggest hot spots in the U.S. The number of deaths has risen to over 400. Total deaths were “only” in the low 20s several months ago. Record new cases have occurred many times in recent weeks.

Montana has been in the top four states for fastest rising seven-day average of new cases in the last several weeks. Montana has been no. 1 in the nation in rising deaths per 100,000 during some periods.

Nursing and elder care homes seem to be having too many cases and too many deaths. The state needs to provide more support, and probably more funding, for nursing homes. These homes and people are very vulnerable. They need more help. Our elders don’t deserve to be sick and die by themselves.

Where is our state leadership? I haven’t noticed good or strong leadership. Have Governor Bullock and Lt. Governor Cooney been spending enough time and effort on the virus? Or were they consumed by their political campaigns? Have they focused enough on the required state plans to distribute vaccines when they are available?

My view is that state leadership has let the virus get out of control in Montana, or at least had a hand in it. Election concerns and politics seem to be impacting what Bullock and Cooney are doing, and not doing.

My view is that the best thing for Montana would be for Bullock and Cooney to lose their elections, so that they could spend the rest of the terms doing the jobs they were elected to do, including providing leadership on the Covid.

—Jack Manning, Missoula

Incredible heroes

I am writing to say thank you to all members in good standing of the United States military — past, present, and future.

These incredible heroes have, do, and will continue to keep our country safe from all attempts by evil forces (both foreign and domestic) to do us harm. And because of the scholarly research done by my grandfather, I know the names, units and engagements of my family’s patriot ancestors who served, fought and bled for over 200 years from the American Revolution until today to create the United States and to keep her safe.

Each and every person who answers the call of our country is a hero. Indeed all first responders, no matter the occupation (fire, linemen, law enforcement, medical, military), are heroes who keep us safe. Heroes come in all colors, religions, genders, and ethnicities. There are no suckers or losers among our heroes. God bless each and every one of you.

Anyone who speaks disparagingly of our military heroes show vile cowardice. I also include in this group of scum those who have kept silent, and who have not spoken up to defend our valiant military. They are the suckers and losers. They truly are gutless cowards. I feel complete contempt and disgust for such individuals.

—Christina Granrud, Kalispell