Letters to the editor Feb. 18

Vaccine ban

I was horrified to read in the Inter Lake that some of our state representatives have introduced a bill to ban the use of mRNA vaccines to prevent infectious diseases. 

The technology was used to develop the Covid vaccines which saved the lives of millions of people. This technology was developed after decades of legitimate research, and is safe and effective. 

If you don’t want to get a vaccine, then don’t. But don’t prevent me from doing it. Please contact your elected representatives and demand that they vote against this dangerous and misguided bill.

— Irene Stone, Kalispell

Traffic lights work

My observations about the proposed roundabout at Batavia lane.

First of all, my original letter had an error. The little yellow sign with the circle says 1,000 feet not 100. Therefore, you have about 10 seconds to go from 60 mph to possibly a complete stop with almost no warning.

Regarding Paul Fifield comments, I have to disagree. I traveled through 18 different countries in Europe and never did see a roundabout on a highway. Maybe they exist and I just missed them as that is always a possibility. Where I did see them were in towns and villages.

Mr. Fifeild says that with a school speed will not be a problem. I drive past that school two times a day every day. When I slow down to 45 mph I often have a vehicle behind me that is so close to me I think that they may end up in my trunk. The only reason that they slow down is because I am in front of them and they have to.

Traffic lights do work. They work at the junctions of U.S. 93 and Montana 82, U.S. 93 and Montana 40, Montana 40 and U.S. 2, Montana 35 and Montana 206, and at Rose Crossing on U.S. 93. They have warning lights to let you know when you may have to stop. Traffic lights save lives.

I read that we all need to slow down. Tell that to the drivers on U.S. 2 that pass in the fog, on blind corners and in no passing zones. I say take the money saved and widen U.S. 2 west of town. Include some passing lanes so that the speed freaks can get where they are going 10 seconds faster without a head-on collision. My biggest fear on my commute isn’t deer anymore — it’s the other drivers.

— Jeff Van Fleet, Marion

Bloated government

With amusement I read the article of around 100 people in Kalispell protesting Elon Musk and DOGE. How in the world is ferreting out government corruption and fraud worth standing outside with signs on a bitter cold day. 

News flash, these 19-year-old kids already have security clearance because they work for Musk. They weren’t after our personal info as Democrats would have you believe; in fact, they came prepared with algorithms. 

For example, at the Social Security office they simply to root out anyone over the age of 100. Surprise, there’s a ton of dead people still getting checks, the oldest is 150 years old. In my world that constitutes fraud. 

Before you go off and set up a protest, I’d recommend doing a bit of fact finding, then you can verify if Rep. Maxine Waters or Sen. Chuck Schumer are pulling your leg. They are spazzing out because USAID was full of pet projects no Americans should be fine with. 

I think we should all sit back and set what algorithms in each government department yields. I think it’s long past time to shrink the bloated corrupt Washington, D.C. machine. I think we will be amazed at amount of fraud and corruption that has been going on, quite possibly for decades.  

— Janna Weldele, Whitefish