Letters to the editor July 19

Labeled a traitor

It was disheartening to read retired Maj Gen Don Loranger’s letter (Fearful for the future of our country, July 12).

An influence piece penned by one who has reached the pinnacle of a military career, calling out nearly half the country as “traitors” also accepting of “misogyny, pathological lying, narcissism, homophobia, aversion to truth-telling, abject racism and wanton gun slaughter of innocent children” is a questionable tactic at best. At worst, it is the opening salvo of a direct attack on fellow Americans.

I did not participate in the Jan. 6 riot any more than I participated in the summer of BLM violence. I view the Jan. 6 Committee as political theater and a farce. I do believe the 2020 election occurred under strange circumstances and is worthy of discussion. I did agree with many of the previous administration’s economic and social policy prescriptions. I disagree with many of the current administration’s economic and social policy prescriptions.

Dissent from another person’s or party’s solutions to current problems does not mean I am a misogynist, narcissist, racist, liar, or slaughterer of innocent children.

Heaven help us if that is all it takes to be labeled a traitor.

— Chris Miller, Whitefish

Bear issues

I wanted to write and express my appreciation to the Daily Inter Lake and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for the excellent article about Justine Vallieres, the new wildlife conflict manager in the Flathead Valley.

Taking the time to introduce her and her work to local residents was well timed and helped us make the connection to her quickly as we residents living in the country deal with some bear issues this summer.

I highly encourage other residents with bear issues in their neighborhoods not to wait to reach out — quick action before bears get into unsecured garbage or non-electrified chicken coops can spare everyone (including bears) from dangerous consequences.

We are lucky to have such responsive and knowledgeable wildlife — Lauren Alley, Coram

Safer Communities Act

Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Matt Rosendale have done it again. They have shown that they have no concern for Montana or Montanans. They have shown over and over they have no respect for the U.S. Constitution or the people who live within our state boundaries. Exactly what is it that Steve Daines and Matt Rosendale object to in the Safer Communities Act?

To begin with, the very first thing they did after taking the Oath to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States” in January 2021 was to vote to overturn a free and fair election, contrary to the Constitution.

Then they voted against the American Recovery Act which would bring billions of dollars to our state. They voted against the Infrastructure Bill which would also bring billions to the state in much needed road and bridge repair along with enhanced internet service for our schools and rural communities.

Last December they voted against renewing the child tax credit that brought $300 per child per month to, according to MTN News, some 200,000 children here in the state. This money would help single mothers and those living at or just above the poverty level and now it cannot be renewed. They even voted against making insulin and other drugs cheaper which would save Montanans millions of dollars per year.

Their latest vote was to deny your children a safer school to attend. Both voted “NO” on the Safer Communities Act. I would like to know what their reasoning is. Are they afraid of the NRA? Do they fear that a safer community won’t elect them? Do they not want us to take care of those who have mental health issues? Or is it just because they are afraid to use common sense?

This bill does not go far enough, in my opinion, but at least it is something. We should have enhanced background checks, a limit on the number of rounds in a magazine, and no one under the age of 21 should be able to buy an assault weapon. I don’t think any of these ideas is terribly radical. I would like to see an assault weapons ban but that will never come about, at least not until we become a fascist country.

Not adhering to the Constitution should be punishable by law especially after you take the oath, but the oath apparently doesn’t mean what it did when I took it in 1968 and entered the Army.

It is truly sad to see this happening in our government and with the spineless representatives from our state. Please, Montana, be careful for whom you vote.

— Russell Stilwell, Kalispell

Endorsement rebuttal

If I may, I would like to offer a quick rebuttal to Don Kaltschmidt’s ringing endorsement of Ryan Zinke.

Do a quick Google search for Ryan Zinke and ethics, and form your own opinion.

Some food for thought. The two professions that are most hated by the American people for poor ethics and trust are: No. 1 politicians, and No. 2 car salesman.

Ryan Zinke is obviously in the No. 1 slot, and Don K evidently fits into both number one and two. Just saying.

— Jay Adams, Libby