Letters to the editor May 6
Evergreen’s rep
Now that the 2025 Montana Legislature has adjourned, a question remains: Who does Rep. Lukas Schubert think he represents?
Schubert’s saddest moment this session was a failed resolution urging President Trump and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to pardon the dirty cop who is serving hard time for murdering George Floyd in broad daylight on a Minneapolis sidewalk.
Why is this worth legislative time? Does Schubert have a soft spot for extra-judicial police execution of private citizens? Or does he enjoy ripping the scabs off of national wounds that have only begun to heal?
Schubert also introduced a (failed) resolution “acknowledging that Christ is king.” I am happy for Schubert that he has apparently found Jesus as his personal lord and savior. Such faith gives meaning to millions of lives around the globe. But that’s his business and no one else’s. Just as his religion is none of my business, yours and my religion is none of his. I do not recall Schubert campaigning on creating a theocracy, and nor do I recall voters clamoring for it.
Killer cops and government religions are among the most un-American, un-patriotic things I can imagine. Schubert is an eager and ardent young man and I appreciate anyone willing to give time for public service. But he needs to learn more about what really makes America great, before he can truly represent such a fine piece of Montana as District 8.
— Ben Long, Kalispell
Optimistic for the future
Kids these days. Often times when you hear that it’s followed by some sort of complaint.
But I have a different experience. As I sit around at the softball fields and watch all of the kids play on the field and the kids interact in the public area, all I see are great kids. I see kids concerned when a member on another team is injured and I see kids using sportsman like conduct. I see kids going over and playing on the other team when the other team has an injured player or is not able to play because they don’t have enough players.
It’s refreshing to me because these kids are our future. They are happy and cared for. I am very optimistic about these kids growing up and being leaders eventually.
So I’m not sure what people mean when they say “kids these days” if it isn’t something positive! It’s great to see so many parents so involved with their kids. It really shows.
— Jeremy Phillips, Kalispell
Spring runoff
May is here, which means that several of our canoeists and kayakers and rafters are getting ready to die.
Every year, glorious spring sunshine and the sparkling river freshness of the Middle Fork and particularly the North Fork lure visitors and locals alike to push the season straight into the embrace of sweepers and strainers and thirty-two degree snowmelt.
Folks, please give the professionals at least enough time to chainsaw the winter downfall, and keep your eyes peeled for later run-off debris. And don’t take off your life jacket when the sun gets hot. May river immersion cold shock will nail you in three to five minutes or less.
Happens every year.
— Andy Palchak, Kalispell