Letters to the editor Jan. 26

Where is the humanity?

Thank you for publishing Mark Suppelsa’s “Thoughtful rebuttal” to David Myerowitz’ Jan. 19 letter “Let the libs beg for help.”  

I experienced abject revulsion reading Mr. Myerowitz’ letter but was much calmed upon reading Mr. Suppelsa’s answer. How did people fall so far?  Where is the humanity and sensitivity for the less fortunate?

If that humanity dictates being labeled a “lib” I welcome the moniker. 

And I also invite Mr. Myerowitz of Columbia Falls to visit my hometown where I would be happy to show him any area, any neighborhood, at any time of the day or night — his choosing, none made any safer by the misguided (and worse) policies of the Trump administration.

— Richard Straub, Chicago

We can coexist

I am writing today about strength and power. I just read two letters to the editor, one from Roger Hopkins and one from Mark Suppelsa. It was refreshing to see letters of opposition that weren’t hate filled and full of quippy little insults.  

As America moves forward in any direction it’s important for voices to be heard. After all, this country is made up of many opinions. I’m sure there are some faithful readers who have formed an opinion about me based on my writings. I’m comfortable with that and will answer to it.  

But I also had an amazing conversation yesterday with a good friend who identifies as a conservative Christian. Wow. We agree on 99.9% of everything. This was a breath of fresh air. It reminds me that there are many good people of many backgrounds in this country and our values align, especially when media bias is left out.   

So I’m not going to insult the ones who have fallen into that path. Today I hold an olive branch to remind us all that we can have different beliefs and coexist. I feel the media and social media is wrecking many of us. Let’s get ourselves back and come together. We can be the balance and for that we need two functioning sides.   

Stand up, be kind and help those in need. As former President Reagan said, “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”

— Jeremy Phillips, Kalispell

Reckless drivers

Today’s Daily Inter Lake (Jan. 23) brought yet another tragic story of an innocent, beautiful young lady being gravely injured by another allegedly drunk driver, who had stolen a truck and was eluding police officers while weaving dangerously in and out of traffic. 

He concluded his antics by T-boning a young woman’s car at an intersection where he had just run a red light. This young woman, a junior at Columbia Falls High School, is a veteran member of the cross-country team. 

The man who hit her has been arrested, according to the newspaper article, a total of nine times in the last six months between the Kalispell Police Department and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office. 

I am beyond frustrated at the reckless way many in this valley drive. From red light running, to flipping a U-turn in the middle of the highway just because you want to, to menacing behavior because we are doing the speed limit but the person behind you thinks you should floor it, and last but certainly not least of all, you thoughtless drunk and or high drivers. 

Some of us who are forced to share the road with you are beyond frustrated with you and the lax laws around here that don’t nail your drunk hide to the post the very first time you drive under the influence. Driving is a privilege and not a right. You do not have the right to get behind the wheel of a vehicle and endanger the rest of us just going about our daily lives. 

I hope the book is thrown at the driver who injured so grievously this beautiful young woman. I won’t hold my breath though as the Flathead County court system here has a way of coddlng the guilty and neglecting the innocent.

— Jill Williams, Kalispell