Letters to the editor April 3

Bathroom restrictions

How do Gov. Greg Gianforte and our Legislature plan on enforcing the new transgender bathroom restrictions with “chromosomes and reproductive biology”?  

As crucial and relevant as this new law is, hiring a slew of genital inspectors or mapping chromosomes as you’re waiting to pee could be impractical. Because I can think of nothing more important than knowing exactly what everyone around me has between their legs, I propose a Mandatory Nudity in Public Spaces Law. This will ensure that no one can deceive anyone else as to what their true gender is. Think of the time and money we’d save.  

I’m so proud to be from a state that shamelessly tackles only the most critical issues facing Americans.

— Mandrea Stebbins, Kalispell

Congressional inaction

Over the last several weeks I have become increasingly concerned by the inaction of our Congress and their disregard of their responsibilities assigned to them by the Constitution. 

Once again, the House of Representatives has failed to pass a budget. In addition, they have allowed actions by the executive branch that are clearly assigned to Congress. Irrespective of whether you agree or disagree with the actions the president has taken, it is Congress’s complete disregard of the requirements of the Constitution that should definitely concern all citizens whether they are Republicans, Democrats or independents. 

Congress has allowed the executive branch to effectively eliminate congressionally established departments within government and ignore funding approved by Congress. If congressional Republicans believe the Department of Education should be eliminated, then they should propose legislation to do that. Instead, our congressional leaders cower, unwilling to accept their responsibilities. 

I do not believe that either Rep. Ryan Zinke or Sen. Tim Sheehy is a coward, but their actions do suggest that. At the very least, by their actions they show they lack integrity and do not have the courage to uphold the Constitution. Likewise, neither of our other two leaders, Sen. Steve Daines nor Rep. Troy Downing have shown respect for the Constitution.

I encourage readers to reflect, discuss and respond to the concerns expressed. We are all in this situation together and together we must resolve it.

— Chris Hagar, Bigfork

Industrial exploitation

My grandfather G. George Ostrom worked closely with Sen. Lee Metcalfe to draft the wilderness bill which was signed into law in 1964.

The Unleash American Energy executive order signed by President Trump does not mention wilderness specifically as a target for industrial exploitation, but we must remain vigilant and keep pressure on the Forest Service and other agencies to deny these leases if they are on designated wilderness.

Organization and collective pressure are actionable tools for denying illegal contracts. Companies who don’t follow the law or respect the act should face consequences. I and others contributed to denying mining company Heclas’s planned operation “beneath” the Cabinet Wilderness in 2018, highlighting incongruencies on their maps, showing a history of noncompliance with ecological rehabilitation standards in previous contracts, and providing evidence that waterways and other aspects of environmental health are impacted by such mining practices that were (and are still) being proposed.

There’s plenty of land to drill, mine and log in the United States, and while I don’t support all of those incursions on state or federal land either, consumerism drives industry and we caretakers of the environment have to pick our battles. 

I’m a consumer and as pro-worker as they come. I understand the hypocrisies of NIMBY (not in my back yard). However, we can’t allow companies to exploit these small, magnificent gems of untainted ecosystems, lest our rivers are poisoned and lands ravaged beyond repair.

Outdoor recreation accounts for $3.5 billion in annual revenue for Montana, so if anyone is worried about money, you’re not only subtracting from that industry, but ruining the aesthetics of what makes Montana the most beautiful state in the Union.

Wilderness should be off limits to industry now, tomorrow, and forever.

— Parker Duncan, Whitefish