Letters to the editor March 21
Professional politicians
Like other constitutional conservatives, I’m frustrated by judicial overreach and activism. A district court in Lewis and Clark County is trying to impose its will on the Legislature, undermining its constitutionally defined authority and separation of powers. The court is telling the Legislature how it should conduct its business.
Senate Republicans are lined up and organized to fight this judge’s overreach.
But where’s Matt Regier? He’s supposed to be leading the House of Representatives, but he seems more interested in letting others lead while he puts his finger in the wind. Matt Regier was elected eight years ago, but judicial overreach has only gotten worse.
It’s time to stand up for the people, not bend to activist judges. We need strong leaders to represent our community in Helena — not professional politicians who are more weathervane than leader.
— Marquis Laude, Kalispell
Human impact on climate
Never thought I’d agree with Ed Berry, but his assessment the Montana Republican Party is messed up beyond recognition on multiple levels is spot on — however it’s not because they don’t agree with his amicus brief regarding Held v. Montana. Likewise while not a fan of Mr. Sheehy either it’s not because the average SEAL IQ is 110-115 and “good enough to be a grunt.”
Falling into the mentally “dull” category myself and having been a grunt too, I find that preferable to being condescending and arrogant. Grunts learn to stay alive, look up down and around, that one of the deadliest things in the world is a 2nd lieutenant with a compass, and to recognize a “theoretical physicist” can be even more so.
The natural world — Mother Earth — is in deep trouble. The best way to deal with this problem is not to “do nothing” as Mr. Berry once wrote. Doing nothing is the worst option. While few want to change their lifestyle or energy consumption — change we must. While the costs are high they are not impossible to pay and may lead to a better future for all beings.
On March 14, 2024 the CO2 levels in the atmosphere were 425.56 ppm — on March 14, 2023 they were 420.30 ppm — at the start of the Industrial Revolution they were about 280 ppm. CO2 is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. As these concentrations continue to rise the climate will continue to warm.
Nothing weakens us like self importance. Nothing blinds us more than clinging to our opinions. You don’t need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing and you don’t need to be a theoretical physicist to see the human impact on our climate.
— Dan Snell, Libby