Letters to the editor April 14

Group chat

Most Americans are shocked and appalled with the recent security breach regarding Yemen. There is so much wrong that shouldn’t be ignored.  

Why was an unsecured phone used? Who made the orders for a strike when the president says he wasn’t involved? Why wasn’t the president involved?

Why wasn’t Admiral Christopher Grady included with the planning of an attack in Yemen?

Why didn’t others on the group chat, object to the technique used (Signal)? Or unknown recipient’s on the thread?  

Didn’t our national defense team have the insight to check the names and verify numbers before discussing sensitive information?

Members of the national security team lied to Congress. In addition, responses of  “I don’t recall” or “I don’t remember” or “not to my knowledge” are unacceptable and show a lack of respect for the position they hold. If our secretaries are unable to remember important issues, in such a short period of time, they don’t deserve to be part of the national security team.  

To make matters worse, Mr. Pete Hegseth lied to the public/media about the sensitivity of the chat. His inexperience isn’t an excuse for breeching protocol. Just because American lives weren’t lost, doesn’t give him a pass. His need to double down and lie, is a huge stain on American security and personal accountability.  

We can’t be gaslit into believing the text messages weren’t sensitive security information. We’ve seen the messages. Historically, we’ve relied on military personnel to be trustworthy and accountable for mistakes. This lack of character shows how little he understands and respects his position. Image isn’t more important than accountability or keeping America safe.

An investigation is necessary and people should be held accountable. The future of America relies on people with integrity to protect our country.

— Laura Gebhart, Kalispell

Clean energy

As our economy is buffeted by the looming trade war and businesses are unsure where, how and whether to invest, one way to provide a bit of stability is to support investments already made under existing law. 

That’s one reason it would be nuts for Congress to roll back the investment and production tax credits for clean electricity facilities, carbon capture, solar and wind energy, battery components and energy efficiency passed a few years ago. According to Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Virginia, “America cannot afford to turn a blind eye to how existing clean energy tax credits are actively helping our Armed Forces, small businesses, and everyday families.”  

Clean energy investment is estimated to add $8 billion to Montana’s economy in the next decade. If we are to meet our increasing energy demands, these tax credits are a wise investment that will pay future dividends greatly exceeding their cost. Please urge Sens. Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, and Reps. Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing to join the bipartisan efforts (including 21 house Republicans at last count) to maintain these investments, keep our utility bills low, support rural enterprises and keep Montana moving toward the future.

— Richard Harris, Charlo

Stop the tomfoolery

This is an open letter sent to Sen. Matt Regier.

You as an elected official should surely recognize the necessity of compromise and bridgebuilding to accomplish the people’s objectives in our hallowed Montana Legislature. 

This begs the question, why are you censuring nine members of your own party? Is it because these public servants value compromise and bridgebuilding? Is it because Gov. Greg Gianforte values bipartisanship and solution seeking? 

Your attempts to stonewall and exclude each of these elected officials in our great state Legislature is narrow minded, partisan and ill advised. Your constituents are watching and stunts like this could result in a poor election performance in the next cycle for you.

We the people elect you to cooperate together to jointly find workable solutions for your constituents to proceed in the business of state governance, not to suit the individual political ambitions of the few. Your ambitions are showing sir, and that is not becoming of a public servant. 

I have made a living in many varied workplaces and have not always agreed with every single one of my coworkers. It’s part of being a mature adult to learn to achieve results despite individual differences. My suggestion to you is to grow up. Stop this tomfoolery and start serving your state and your constituents for the greater good!

— Robin Vogler, Bigfork