Letters to the editor Dec. 15
Second Amendment limits
A short look back at some of our history as Americans:
We helped stop Hitler’s march across Europe. We were threatened with communism on many fronts, but we conquered that. We have a virus, we are gaining control of that by various means.
We nearly lost our peaceful transition of power after an election, we are working on that.
We have school shooting that kill and terrify our children — our most precious thing — and we are just letting that happen, if not daily, weekly or monthly. Now we feel unsafe in any Walmart, mall, church or just walking the streets.
Giving Second Amendment rights, unchecked, also takes a certain kind of right and freedom from us all. We know statistically injuries and deaths were lower during the assault weapons ban from 1994-2004. Why can we not come together and conquer this blight?
Sadly, we don’t seem to have a gnat’s chance in hell. What kind of country are we?
— Vivienne Montague, Kalispell
Patriotism among youth
Recently on Halloween, I enjoyed the tradition of the young children in costume going door to door trick or treating.
On my front porch is a large, flat stone. It has a red, white and blue star carved on it. Also, the following phase is chiseled on the sculpture, “Proud to be a veteran.” The words are painted a brilliant blue color. It belonged to my husband who was a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient.
I was humbled by the number of young people who made positive comments on the veteran stone. Their respect and patriotism for our country was obvious to me. I appreciate the youth of today and the values they are being taught.
— Mary Adkins Meister, Kalispell
Good at heart
“Prejudice is the emotional commitment to ignorance.” — Dr. Nathan Rutstein.
The increase in racism, incivility and violence in recent years is a cultural swerve that is not only disheartening but morally egregious.
Thanks to the Port Polson Players and a stellar cast for bringing “The Diary of Anne Frank” to center stage as a timely reminder of the Jewish Holocaust. The wisdom and love of a 15-year-old girl shine a light of hope during this holiday season.
Listen to her voice: “Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy. In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit.”
It’s time we came together as Americans. Thoughtful people everywhere are hungering for a return to a grounded moral compass, decent behavior, and political moderation. The beautiful hodgepodge of different faiths, ethnicities and lifestyles makes us diverse and unique.
We are all “others” to someone else. Let’s celebrate that!
As young Anne told us, “In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
— Nancy Teggeman, Polson
WWJD?
Perhaps I’m being too simple-minded, but in regard to the Supreme Court deciding what to do about the latest clash of religion and gay rights — it seems to me that if someone claims to be a Christian they would leave the judgment of the people in question to the God they claim to believe in. We all have opinions, but do we stop to consider the hurt we cause by acting on them?
What would Jesus do? Let that be the answer.
— Shirley Reynolds, Columbia Falls