Letters to the editor Oct. 16

Access to health care

The recent “Montana Perspective” on Sunday, Oct. 8, in defense of Senate Bill 99 by Jason Ellsworth and John Fuller is misleading. SB 99 denies a small minority of Montana children access to health care. It leaves them at increased risk for suicide. Such a bill is cruel and unreasonable.

A transgender child and their family seeking medical care usually have a team of health care professionals. These include primary care providers, psychiatrists, endocrinologists and counselors/therapists who all work together to determine a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and establish a plan of treatment.

Transgender children represent less than 2% of Montana’s population, yet they deserve the same access to medical care as others.

SB 99 does not protect transgender children. It leaves them at increased risk for suicide. See “Suicide in Montana” at the DPHHS website.

— John Lavin, Kalispell

A review of treason

Retired Montana Supreme Court Justice James Nelson is a lawyer’s lawyer. His letter portending to argue the case that General Mark Milley, the recently retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is not a traitor to his country serves as a reminder of how little someone can say in so many words.

He starts off burning 300 words that add nothing to the discussion except detailing what an oath is. OK, got it, feed me some meat please! Instead, another 300 words on what an oath is from General Milley.

Six hundred words later, I think we’re good. Let’s hear Justice Nelson’s argument as to why Milley upheld it. Only one paragraph simply stating that he “stood by his oath,” and an inference that the death penalty is fabricated by Trump?

My hopes for a persuasive argument have been shattered once again.

So let’s review “treason.” Article III, Section 3 of the Constitution defines it, among other things, as giving aid to the enemy. 18 USC 2381 then defines the penalty as death or at least five years imprisonment. That’s all black and white.

General Milley admitted in an interview to have called his Chinese counterpart on two occasions. According to the book “Peril,” he called to “assure” the Chinese that “we are not going to attack” and that “if we’re going to attack, I’m going to call you ahead of time.”

Does a promise to provide advance warning of an attack aid the enemy? I’d argue that one every day in Justice Nelson’s court.

Also, I’m under 300 words.

— Dave Ritchey, Bigfork

Indoctrinated and decieved

We are in a battle for our children. The culture says it’s the woman’s right to kill them. Now we see and hear how they are systematically being indoctrinated and deceived into believing they can choose their own gender. This lie is being taught from kindergarten.

We can sit comfortably in our home and say “not in my house, not in my school.” It’s time for all of us to stand up and speak up for truth

Don’t wait for it to be in your house or your school.

To win a war, soldiers fight battles, they don’t stand back and allow the enemy to enter their land, and neither should we.

— Georgia Branscome, Kalispell