Letters to the editor May 16

Campus protests

I have written previously of the famous German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller’s quote, “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist. The they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews — and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew.   Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.”  

Though Niemöller supported the early Nazi regime, he spent from 1937-1945 in Gestapo prisons after realizing and openly criticizing the true nature of Nazism.

We have allowed our colleges to become caldrons of anti-White, anti-male, antisemitic, pro-socialist and anti-American anger, fueled by woke liberal faculty who have indoctrinated our youth with virulent, self-defeating philosophies that if left unchecked will destroy our country.

Supported by rich liberal billionaires like George Soros and the Rockefeller Foundation (whose “charitable” foundations likely funded campus riots), and largely unopposed by the progressive-hijacked Democrat party in Congress and the administration, the rioters’ support of despicable terrorist infant murderers and rapists like Hamas and their call for the destruction of Israel, the United States and essentially Western culture cannot be tolerated.

When Jews shout “never forget” in reference to the Holocaust, it is just such times as we are now experiencing that they reference. Astounding as it is, our college campuses and big city streets seem eerily similar to early 1930s Germany. Now is the time for all of us, conservative as well as liberal, Republican as well as Democrat and independent to stand up and support Western culture including Israel and the USA.

If not and this insanity is left unchecked, when they come for us, who will be left to speak?

— David Myerowitz, Columbia Falls

Illegal immigration

Our father immigrated from Norway in the early 1920s and did so legally, i.e. he was proficient in writing and speaking English, had the minimum $30 in his pocket, proof of necessary vaccinations, paperwork and a sponsor (an uncle in North Dakota) who guaranteed him a job, room and board. 

The family that just arrived at Glacier Park International Airport came from where? Who bought their tickets? Who do they expect to take care of them here? 

According to reports, they are here illegally and as such are criminals and should be arrested, jailed and deported. 

Our Sheriff Brian Heino is the official enforcement officer for Flathead County. He has sworn to uphold our Constitution and laws of the state and county. This I am sure he will do. Once again, any person not legally in our county is a criminal, should be arrested, jailed and deported. 

Just because our president and his open border policy breaks the law does not entitle us to do the same. I trust there is no taxpayer money or benefits being granted these criminals and justice should be served. 

This illegal immigration issue could escalate into what has happened to our forest industry. 

I remind you, in 1973 there were over 15 sawmills in the Flathead, several large logging companies and thousands of workers providing lumber for the benefit of our economy. We had a sustainable allowable cut of over 125 million board feet of timber, we built roads, cooperated with the forest service to manage the production of timber, assist in fire suppression so as to ensure this valuable renewable resource way into the future. 

Then came the spikers and tree huggers protesting any and all timber sales. Initially their protests were ignored, just like the immigrants here illegally when we say, “Oh, just a few won’t matter.” Look at the timber industry today: three sawmills, less than 20 million board feet annual allowable cut and thousands fewer jobs. The result now is “burn baby, burn” and let the smoke ruin the health and lives of all and especially our babies and young folks. 

Speak up. It doesn’t take much imagination to see what impact any number (one to a thousand) non-English speaking immigrants here illegally would have on our local economy. 

Like your taxes now? Let us solve our own homeless problem before we allow any immigrants to infiltrate our little piece of paradise. It may not be the right way but as John Wayne said, “it is the cowboy way.”

— Dale Haarr, Kalispell