Letters to the editor July 28

What fascism looks like

I am literally horrified by Larry Lautaret’s guest opinion of July 25. According to Mr. Lautaret’s words, all we need is one local official willing to “bravely” step up to “coerce” our community members into right thinking to solve our problems. 

Dang it, if only the Flathead Valley could be the first to have our local concentration camps and slave labor camps.

Look at his words. 

“Evil doers.” 

“Isolate clear wrongdoers.”  

“Involuntary housing.” 

“The sword.”  

“Engage them in meaningful labor.”  

After all, we all know about “Arbeit Macht Frei.” 

I have spent my most of my career initiating involuntary interventions with individuals that are a danger to themselves or others. I understand the need for enforcement in our communities. I have hopefully performed that enforcement task with respect, care, caution and concern for the individual who has placed us or themselves at risk. 

Within a full understanding and training in the constitutional rights we all have in this country -- rights that protect us all, not just those who believe or behave as we do -- protect not just those who make enough money to live like we want them to.

Let’s allow the corporations who addicted Americans to opiates get away with no personal responsibility. But let’s get those addict victims into “involuntary housing” so we don’t have to look at them?  

Kalispell community members, if you want to know what early fascism looks like it’s a small group wanting power over all if we don’t behave the way they want. This is it. Iced in religiosity.

— Jennifer Allen, Kalispell

The right thing to do

Not since George Washington has anyone done what Joe Biden is now doing. Not giving up, not resigning through weakness, but sacrificing the world’s greatest position of power simply because it’s the right thing to do.

If you have six minutes to spare, go to YouTube and search and watch “One Last Time Hamilton White House.” It feels predictive at this time.

This is the moment Washington tells the nation and the world that presidents truly are not kings, and that by saying goodbye when the time comes we teach America what it is we are, so that America lives on after we are gone. There is a moment in the video where Joe wipes away a tear.

President Biden has gifted all of us. This is a moment of truly American magic that won’t ever be forgotten. Showing us strength. Reminding us what is best in ourselves.

Let’s keep the magic going.

— Steven Martinez and Susan Cahill, Kalispell