Letters to the editor May 3

Rep. Mitchell’s comments

“It’s pretty clear it’s enjoying it.”

Read that again and let the meaning sink in. The “it” the author of these words is referencing is not a savage animal or a monster emerging from a swamp — something less than human. This hateful comment is aimed not at some loathsome beast but at a fellow human being.

Those are the words of Columbia Falls state Rep. Braxton Mitchell, recorded in an interview with Daily Inter Lake journalist Kate Heston for an April 30 article on the reaction of Flathead legislators to the silencing of transgender state Rep. Zooey Zephyr. Mitchell took the lead of other state Republican legislators who intentionally misrepresented Zephyr’s gender in a petty and hurtful way to demean her. Such is the mentality of our “family values” political majority in our state.

This is a moment of truth for Republican legislators of integrity, if there are any left. Their tender ears were so burned by Zephyr’s “blood on your hands” comment that they levied a punishment that had not been used in half a century. As learned folks know, the phrase has been so widely used over the years in literature, film and politics that it is considered a toothless cliché, as the Inter Lake’s recent editorial documented.

Representative Mitchell’s “it” comment is, by any standard of measurement, much more egregious. All that remains to be seen is whether Montana’s Republican leadership will have the courage to censure him or will this shameful incident just get the customary wink and nod. Meanwhile, the state suffers another national embarrassment.

— Mark Holston, Kalispell

Medical decisions

I am writing in solidarity with Rep. Zooey Zephyr’s statement that legislators banning gender-affirming care would have “blood on their hands.” Is she misrepresenting either her constituents or misrepresenting the facts? Gender-affirming care has been shown to improve mental health and lower suicide in articles by the NIH, JAMA, and the Journal of Adolescent Health to name a few. Zephyr’s statement is factual and is supported by scientific literature.

House Speaker Matt Regier stated that the cancellation of the legislators meeting on Tuesday “is a dark day for Montana.” t is an even darker day when legislators silence free speech while interfering with the physician/patient relationship by imposing their myopic personal agenda on a demographic that they were elected to serve. The citizens of Montana expect our state representatives to defend free speech and public debate. Medical decision making should be between a patient and their physician, and not dictated by a legislator.

— Dr. Karl Oehrtman, Kalispell

Dangers of Mifepristone

Retail pharmacies are now selling medical abortion pills. This abortion practice has actually been in use for some time with pills distributed by health care professionals, not retail employees.

This two-drug process uses Mifepristone to reject the baby from receiving the essential progesterone and then misoprostol to expel it from the uterus. This is not a simple “treatment.” The FDA’s decision to promote this product by retail pharmacies is irresponsible and extremely dangerous for women.

This abortion is brought on by the voluntary intake of drugs, often done in secret, making mental trauma very high. There is tremendous pain and loss. It’s difficult for women to come forward.

When there is a choice between birth and abortion, we pray for birth, not just for the child, but for the parents as well. This is always the best decision for the mother and child.

Unborn babies should be protected in our Constitution. Genesis 1:26 and 27 record the creation of human life. We were made in the image of God after his likeness. This makes us special. We are made in the image of God as triune beings (body, soul and spirit) and like God we were given the power to create life and have dominion over all of the earth.

We create life after our likeness by way of a loving relationship with another person. At conception the likeness of each person is combined in a baby who lives and grows inside the mother. The father who is equally responsible for the baby provides love, time and support during this exciting time.

When there is an unwanted baby there are three people involved. Two of those people may have been irresponsible or even guilty of committing a crime. However, the solution is never to take the life of the innocent person. Other options are available such as adoption.

Jeremiah 1:5 confirms that life begins at conception: …” before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; … before you were born, I consecrated you.”

— James Cutler and Verdell Jackson, Kalispell