Letters to the editor Feb. 20
Protect mRNA technology
Just when I think I have seen the most brazen and stupid political moves, a new idiotic law is proposed, this time in the Montana Legislature. I am referring to House Bill 371 introduced by Republican Rep. Greg Kmetz of Miles City banning the administration of mRNA vaccines in the state of Montana.
This was not the first foray of Mr. Kmetz into the medical arena having unsuccessfully proposed a bill calling for anyone vaccinated against Covid to be charged with a misdemeanor if they attempted to donate blood, a perfect way to decimate an already limited resource. Fortunately, this bill went down in flames, a fate likely to befall his latest venture outside of his area of expertise.
Prior to serving in the Legislature, Mr. Kmetz owned a welding and machine shop. While a laudable occupation, I doubt it provides him with any unique insight into vaccine benefits and side effects. Of course, many of his bill’s declarations of truth, such as the vaccines can be shed to others and be incorporated into DNA producing genetic changes, are totally absurd, but I doubt the study of welding gives him a basis for evaluating the science and genetics of mRNA vaccines.
The mRNA vaccine technology holds the promise of not only protecting against respiratory illnesses, but has potential applications in cancer immunotherapy. There are side effects and complications with vaccines as there are with any medical therapy. Each medical treatment must balance risks vs. benefits, and, in my opinion, mRNA vaccines pass that assessment.
I suspect this bill will also wind up on the trash heap of bad legislation proposed for political ideology, whether by liberals or conservatives.
— Dr. David Myerowitz, Columbia Falls
Fox News delivers happiness
A letter on Monday calls my standing up for President Donald Trump a skewed view. The writer is stating things about Trump and about Jan. 6, 2021 that are not true, about Capitol police being killed and about Trump putting an army of revenge on the street. These are not true.
However, if you watch the mainstream media (MSM) this is what they will tell you. The MSM lies to you, they promote hate of anyone they oppose, irrational fear of what their opponents are doing, and making up lies about what their opponents will do and promoting division.
About 12 years ago, I stopped watching the MSM because I realized this. And it has only gotten worse. I now watch Fox News and listen to KJJR talk radio out of Whitefish.
I do not hate my political opponents, I do not fear the changes that are taking place and I look forward with great confidence and happiness that our country will be better, safer and stronger in four years. I am not a radical, nor racist. I have a good understanding of reality and of world events.
For those readers who hate Trump, are afraid of what is going on and are unhappy, I suggest you take my course of action and stop watching the MSM. Watch Fox News instead. It will be difficult for you because you will begin to realize that what you believed was true is actually a lie. Stick with it. In a short time, you will stop hating and be more understanding, your fear will dissipate, you will embrace the changes going on, and you will be a happier person.
— William Fry, Kalispell
Editor’s Note: One Capitol Police officer died of a stroke following the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack and two officers died by suicide in the days afterward.