Letters to the editor Nov. 9
Wear the dang mask
In these times of diminishing free speech privileges, and the co-morbid violence which accompanies such degradation, I am anonymously appealing to my fellow humans to consider the value of wearing a mask. I am neither Democrat nor Republican; I am neither conservative nor liberal. I am Everyman. I am outfitted with a miraculous DNA which promotes basic survival imperatives.
If I exclude my political persuasions, filter my spiritual leanings, and in general, remove any obstacles to transmitting my message, perhaps I stand a chance of getting your attention. Please spend the time required to read this weighing the mask question reasonably.
Do epidemiologists agree? Are experts aligned on the question of masks? If the mask proponents are correct, we protect our vulnerable citizens. If they are incorrect, we endure the horrific burden of sporting a mask.
On the grand scale of human suffering, wearing a mask may well be an American embarrassment when compared to worldwide human suffering. Wearing a mask is not an economic shutdown. It is an attempt to mitigate a virus. If it is 5% better than no mask, it is a small price to pay for the safety of the vulnerable.
The 30-year-old who knows no physical suffering is challenged to appreciate the 70-year-old’s innocuous cough, which quickly becomes an ICU admission.
Please wear your mask in public. If it turns out to be impotent, you have, at the very least, entered into the suffering (albeit American) of man, and that is never ignoble.
—Bob Auerbach, Whitefish
Abortion and politics
I just watched a YouTube video geared at pro-life Christians, claiming that there is no difference if you vote for Republicans or Democrats. I would am going to test this theory with the facts.
Democrats killed two key bills that would restrict abortions. The “Pain Capable Unborn Protection Act” which would protect babies of 20 weeks gestation and above from being ripped apart during an abortion since they feel pain at that age. This bill has exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother.
The second bill “Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act” would prevent intentional killing of a living child that survives an abortion, there are protections in the bill for the mother, as she is also considered a victim.
The lawmakers heard testimonies from adults who are abortion survivors. It is not just a hypothetical that a child can be born alive and survive an abortion; abortion is legal during all nine months in some states. The Republicans introduced and supported these bills.
The “Hyde Amendment” prohibits Medicaid from spending taxpayer money on abortions with exceptions of rape, incest or threats to the life of the mother. This amendment is targeted for removal by Democrats.
There has been pattern of persecution and prosecution of pro-life people by Democratic administrations, so the support of a President is crucial to their rights of free speech. “The Mexico City Policy” protects taxpayer money from funding abortions as part of an aid package to other countries. This policy was struck down by Obama and revived by Trump. Supreme Court Justices are appointed by the president, while there is disappointment in some of their rulings, it is obvious from the Democrats dissent they know the “Roe v. Wade” foundations may crumble because it is unconstitutional on its face.
—Marsha Graham, Kalispell