Letters to the editor Jan. 10

Domestic violence

Domestic abuse that resulted in murder.

This was unfortunately the first thing in my newsfeed this morning about a tragedy that happened during the Christmas season to a beautiful lady and mom of 4.

“Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse that’s seen in abusive relationships. It’s the act of manipulating a person by forcing them to question their thoughts, memories, and the events occurring around them. A victim of gaslighting can be pushed so far that they question their own sanity.”

To those that question why women are in these relationships in the first place...

They don’t typically start out with obvious abuse. It creeps in little by little over time. He makes her feel good and says he loves her. But in actuality, after yelling abusive things or hitting her, he apologizes and “swears never to do it again.” (A blatant lie). The woman may doubt, question and even blame herself for her partner’s reactions and abuse. By that time she’s invested years into the relationship and may have children with him. He may have threatened her or told her she’s no good and would never make it on her own. Also withholding money or shaming her to the point where she feels worthless, powerless and unable to leave.

Woke: “alert to injustice in society.” Woke is increasingly used as a byword for social awareness.

Too long is how long domestic violence has been swept under the rug. Hidden from society until an act of murder occurs. And even then doling out the minimum punishment to the offender. Not OK. What is it going to take for our Senators and government to wake up and enact stricter laws against those who are repeat offenders against, not just women, but men and children too? When will our government be “woke”?

—Mindy Johnson, Kalispell

The ‘right’ news

In Wednesday’s Daily Inter Lake, the Associated Press headline says, “Hundreds of Trump supporters flock to D.C. ahead of vote.”

I saw with my own eyes in a video tens of thousands of people filling the streets, and singing our National Anthem. (Wish I could have heard that in person!)

The first sentence of the article begins: “Hundreds of supporters of President Donald Trump descended on the nation’s capitol Tuesday to cheer his baseless claims of election fraud...” The AP articles printed in the Inter Lake since the November election have continually referred to Trump’s “baseless claims.” Maybe those who make this baseless claim will hear some of the mountains of evidence if they listen to the “right” news today.

—Nancy Ivy, Kalispell

Vaccine side effects

I was raised by a strict father who believed that a healthy diet and regular chiropractic adjustments could ward off disease and that vaccines were unnecessary. Unfortunately I was one of the last children in Iowa to be diagnosed with polio. Luckily my paralysis was not long lasting. Now, at 69 I deal with weakness related to post- polio syndrome. Just think of the thousands and thousands of children saved….

Hoping to avoid the nightmare of a ventilator that so many polio sufferers experienced, I chose to receive the Covid vaccine that was available to me as a health-care worker. I didn’t listen to the advice of Dr. Bukacek. And now I’m suffering the consequences. I’ve had horrible side effects including sudden cravings for hugs, a strong desire to travel and see my grandchildren, booking restaurant nights out with my wife. If only I’d listened…..

—Dr. Randy Beach, Whitefish

Jumping the line

What a surprise! Guess who is jumping the vaccine line? Of course, the D.C. legislators and their swamp staff along with that brilliant front-line healthcare worker, Dr. Fauci, a man who has never treated a patient.

They claim they are trying to set an example for the rest of us. I am going to throw the BS card on that one. I didn’t see them lining up to be volunteers to take one of the vaccines, but now that we know it is safe and effective, they are jumping the queue.

In my book, they should be at the end of the line, perhaps right after prisoners. But the elite always seem to look out for themselves whether it is with our money or our vaccine. I guess if insider trading is OK for them, then stealing we the people’s vaccine for themselves should come as no surprise.

— David Myerowitz, Columbia Falls