Letters to the editor July 11

Hate is not a laughing matter

The Daily Inter Lake recently ran a story that many of us may have seen, about 31 members of the white nationalist group, Patriot Front, being arrested on their way to “riot downtown” at a Pride event in Couer d’Alene.

That story was also posted on the Daily Inter Lake’s Facebook page. I find in interesting and somewhat concerning that Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Columbia Falls, thinks this story is funny, as indicated by his laughing emoji response. I’d like to ask him publicly, what exactly is funny about this article?

Is it funny that 31 members of Patriot Front, all dressed in riot gear, planned to disrupt the peace, harmony and celebration of Pride? Are you gleeful imagining what could have happened if the U-Haul they were driving had not been stopped? Are you imagining injuries to unarmed LGBTQ+ individuals caused by men dressed like a “little army”? What exactly is funny about any part of this article or the situation it describes?

People who identify as LGBTQ+ have a history of being discriminated against. Pride is an opportunity to celebrate and feel free of that discrimination and celebrate the freedom to be who they are.

Nothing about this event deserves criticism, hatred or prejudice. Nothing about the arrests in Couer d’Alene or the plans of Patriot Front is funny.

— Amy Weeks, Columbia Falls

Red flag laws

Though ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, “red flag” laws are being sponsored by the federal government as it moves to spend millions-of-tax dollars to bribe and coerce the 31 states that have not enacted such legislation to do so.

Like its refusal to secure the southern border, the federal government is breaking the supreme law of the land. “Red flag” laws are a direct assault upon our Bill of Rights and the due process of law. If there ever was a time to stand in defiance of such blatant tyranny, it is now. Any agent of the government (federal, state or local) who seeks to enforce such laws is violating their oath to the Constitution of the United States, and the unalienable right of we the people to keep and bear arms.

As we celebrate another 4th of July, perhaps the federal government should be reminded what happened the last time tyrants came for the guns and ammunition of the American people.

— Richard Grozik, Kalispell

Microplastics are concerning

The recent articles about microplastic in Foys and Flathead Lake got my attention.

Microplastics are ingested by fish, birds, and humans. The petrochemical cocktail that makes up plastics includes toxic substances that damage the reproductive systems of fish and disrupt bird’s endocrine systems. Harming wildlife in turn harms fishing, hunting, and tourism, limiting our ability to continue enjoying the Montana way of life.

We usually hear that emissions from fossil fuels are changing the climate, but the harms from the solid products of fossil fuels (like plastic) present compelling reasons to limit our consumption of them. This far reaching problem requires a far reaching solution — action at the national level — because the wind and water that transport microplastics do not recognize any political border. A solution is to put a price on carbon. This would apply to every economic sector, while maintaining America’s international competitiveness.

75% of Republicans under 40 support cashback carbon pricing. The American Petroleum Institute has also demonstrated support for carbon fee and dividend legislation. This plan would produce gradual, predictable price increases, while putting money directly into every citizen’s pockets, offsetting higher costs of fossil fuel related goods and services.

I encourage Senator Tester to vote for meaningful climate legislation in the budget reconciliation bill, and to support a price on carbon. Check out Citizens’ Climate Lobby to learn more about what you can do to protect ourselves and our waters from fossil fuel pollution.

— Luca Welle, Kalispell

Unacceptable

So it’s more important that assault rifles are accessible than seeing our kids alive? We accept that mass shootings cannot be prevented and if the law was changed and it saved one life it’s not worth it?

We have to start somewhere. I don’t accept this at all. Fight for the safety of our country and schools. Vote for sensible people that have common sense. Don’t give up.

Do you have your guns available for your kids at home or do you hide or lock them in a safe? Why bother if they’re just going to shoot them anyway.

— Andrea M. Goff, Bigfork