Letters to the editor Aug. 6

Drunk driving laws

The July 30 front page story featured families who have been affected by drunk drivers. Some were maimed and some lost their lives leaving a wake of unimaginable devastation behind.

There is absolutely no excuse for this state to not strengthen their pathetic DUI laws. If you do not pass laws that come down hard on drunk drivers then nothing will get any better.

The first DUI should sting. Real jail time, mandatory treatment, heavy fines, loss of driving privileges and more.

This is simply insane. So the Legislature here cannot find a way to write and pass new more stringent laws around drunk driving. Really? What is so hard about that?

God forbid this tragedy ever happens to a lawmaker’s family. What do they not understand about writing laws that have stiff penalties for drinking and driving? Not on your third or fourth DUI but on the first!

We will never stop some people from driving drunk. They think they should be able do whatever they please in their vehicle. That mentality doesn’t seem that uncommon here but things had better change because this lack of strict DUI laws and tepid enforcement is shameful.

Judges and prosectors should be forced to enforce the laws with mandatory sentences that they cannot wiggle around.

No one has the right to drink and then operate a vehicle. Sound too tough? Well ... too bad. Our right to live our lives trumps your right to drive impaired. Period!

Listen up Montana legislators and do something. There is a huge state surplus of funds so how about we build some more jails/prisons to get these menaces off the road.

— Jill Williams, Kalispell

No one is above the law

Letter writer Grace Larson stated that an article about the latest Trump indictment “was meant to take the focus off of the information coming out about the Bidens.”

The indictment of a former president is huge news that must be reported. The indictments include an abundance of evidence against Trump and much evidence is being provided by Republicans. If Trump did, in fact, commit these crimes, he must be held accountable, no one is above the law.

The letter also questions where the Bidens got their money. The Bidens have consistently released their tax information, something Trump never did. The Bidens made money on book deals and speaking engagements as many former politicians do. If they committed crimes, they should also be held accountable, but a newspaper should report the facts, not conjecture.

— Debbie Clark, Whitefish