Letters to the editor Jan. 14

Free speech

Do we live in China or North Korea, or Iran?

Unless you live in a cave or on the moon, the social media outlets have banned not only President Trump but other conservatives. You may recall that China does not allow its citizens to access Facebook, Twitter and the other social media outlets.

In Iran, their regime has spent at least $4.5 billion to build a domestic intranet that would further tighten restrictions on everyday Iranians’ internet access. In other words, Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok, Amazon, and You Tube are acting like and have the power that the Chinese Communist Government or Iranian Regime have over the people they choose to shut down.

If I lived in China or Iran or any other like-country this letter would not be permitted. Apparently, in America this type of letter may be banned sooner than you think.

—Jack Sollars, Kalispell

Wolverine lawsuit

On Jan. 3, the Inter Lake published a letter to the editor by Mr. Butts. This letter was not based in fact, but rather sounded more the tired right-wing rhetoric that denies the reality of climate change and makes those who seek to protect our natural world the enemy of the people. In reality its people like Mr. Butts by his rhetoric and ignorance of the natural world that want to try and convince people, without facts, but innuendo, about how organizations that fight to protect wildlife are somehow the enemy.

Wolverines are an endangered species. Like so many species climate change is taking a serious toll on their chances of survival. Who is the bully? In fact it has been the disastrous environmental record of President Trump and his orders to agencies to do anything to stop protections for wildlife to aid logging, livestock, mining, coal and oil and gas special interests, not protect wildlife. Such actions speak for themselves and thankfully will end soon.

Litigation is often the only tool groups have when faced with the tsunami of bad, reckless removal of environmental regulations, agencies that are politically driven and refusing to use sound science.

The very reason for litigation is to protect wolverines; sadly some people cannot understand that people and groups dedicate themselves to working for the protection and co-existence with wildlife. We do it because we understand the importance of all creatures and because in the last 40 years we have lost 52% of all wild animals across the globe, some estimates are even higher. We are simply demanding that wolverines not join that group of species caused human exploitation of resources and ignorance. Our thinking is based in science and love for all things wild. Not profit or selfish, self-interest.

— Stephen Capra is executive director of Footloose Montana

Legislative update

The 67th Session of the Montana Legislature began Jan. 4. Kicking off Monday’s events was the swearing in of legislators, both House and Senate, beginning new terms.

Covid-19 is creating a new challenge to navigate, with leadership continuing to evaluate the best way to handle the issue.

Several Flathead legislators have been placed in committee leadership positions: Mark Blasdel SD4, President of the Senate; Carl Glimm SD2, Vice Chair Appropriations Health & Human Services Joint Subcommittee; Keith Regier SD 3, Chair Senate Judiciary; Bob Keenan SD5, Chair Senate Legislative Administration and Vice Chair Senate Public Health,Welfare and Safety; Bob Brown SD7, Vice Chair Senate Fish and Game. Matt Regier HD 4, Chair House Appropriations Subcommittee Health and Human Services; Amy Regier HD6, Vice Chair House Judiciary; Mark Noland, HD 10 Chair, House Business and Labor; Derek Skees HD 11 Chair House Energy, Telecommunications and Federal Relations as well as Rules Committee.

Notable bills thus far include HB102, “Permitless Carry,” heard in the House Judiciary committee. This bill would allow for the statewide concealed carry of firearms without permit, minus a few exceptions. Another bill of note, SB 65, “Revise civil liability laws” addresses limiting liability for businesses in regard to Covid litigation.

—Rep. Amy Regier, R-Kalispell

Socialism and Democrats

Unfortunately, these days everyone attaches unflattering labels to anyone with whom they disagree. An example is when a Republican calls a Democrat a “Socialist.” It is evident these people do not understand Socialism.

According to the dictionary, Socialism is any variety of economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods. It is a system of a society or group living in which there is no private property. When was the last time you heard anyone, including politicians, advocate that our government own and administer the means of production and distribution of goods made in the U.S.? Who has said there should be no private ownership of businesses or property?

The United States does have social programs that are available to its citizens. These programs have come into being because of local, state, or federal laws. They include schools, roads, police and fire protection, unemployment benefits, food stamps, stimulus checks, benefits for women with children, Social Security and Medicare, among others. If a politician supports “Medicare for all”, for example, that does not make him or his supporters Socialists. Rather, he is an advocate of a social program. No one is required to also advocate for this social program.

During this pandemic which of these programs are you willing to give up? Remember that if you do not qualify for one of these programs now, you may in the future. If you believe that supporting social programs makes one a Socialist, does your acceptance of a stimulus check or unemployment benefits make you a Socialist? Of course not. You are simply someone who is using and is in favor of a social program.

Next time you want to label someone, make sure your label is correct. Being a registered Democrat does not make someone a Socialist.

—Linda Carden, Kalispell