Letters to the editor Jan. 29

Cooperate with ICE

Regarding the article on the county commissioners meeting Jan. 27, I agree that we all want to feel safe in our own community, but to suggest, as many did at that meeting, that we not cooperate with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security, is not the way.

As we’ve seen in Minneapolis, it is that lack of cooperation that invites unrest, possible violence and is at the very root of that chaos. I applaud Commissioner Brad Abell who reminded the crowd, we are not a sanctuary city or state and must abide by the rule of law. If you don’t like it, the best way to protest is with your vote at the ballot box.

Other states who have cooperated with immigration laws and officers are not experiencing that vitriol and madness we see being promoted in Minneapolis.

Ms. Frisbee stated at the meeting that her children were afraid they would be snatched out of their homes or picked up at some point by ICE officers. I offer two pieces of advice for her and for others: 1) Turn off the TV and monitor your own and your children’s amount of social media you watch, so you are not inundated with such hatred. 2) As a parent and adult, we need to continue to provide examples of support and respect for law enforcement in any form, which is, at best, a thankless job.

Thank heavens this beautiful place I’ve called home for over 50 years has not succumbed to a sanctuary for the illegal criminals to hide and infiltrate the very freedom and safety we enjoy by living here.

— Nancy Ross, Kalispell

Minneapolis perspective

I’m a Minneapolis resident that spends a lot of time throughout the year conducting business throughout the Kalispell area and other cities throughout Montana.

After reading the post and some of the comments, I felt I’d share my experience of this operation from my perspective and what I’m witnessing real-time in my community.  

I’ve had two friends, both U.S. born citizens, that have been detained by ICE for being people of color and witnessed people being run off the road and pulled from their vehicles. What’s taking place here in our city should concern everyone that values our constitutional rights, regardless of party affiliation.

While I fully support our law enforcement and come from a military family, I’m deeply disturbed that our rights as Americans are being infringed upon by this administration’s reckless tactics that are being carried out by unqualified individuals.

— TJ Beadle, Minneapolis

No common sense

As a military veteran and former law enforcement officer of nearly 30 years, I think I am qualified to respond to the numerous fools who question and criticize the ICE officers in Minneapolis. 

Common sense should tell a person it’s not smart to drive your car into a heated demonstration, argue with law enforcement about moving on, and then try to run over an officer with whom you disagree. Likewise, it’s really asinine to take a loaded gun to a demonstration. What did that fool plan to do with his gun at the demonstration? The ICE officers’ responses were justified in both cases. 

As for Ms. Susan Cahill’s comments in her letter and the stupid threats made by two Florida nurses and others towards ICE officers; doesn’t anyone have any common sense? It seems there is a shortage of that now days.

— Greg Burns, Kalispell

Comply with orders

Not complying with law enforcement isn’t just a bad idea, it’s a criminal act. Did you really want our citizens to be in the same situation as Minnesota? Tell people in this area to comply with orders from any law enforcement and avoid riots and shootings.

— Velvet Rogers, Columbia Falls

No congressional response

After reading the responses from our senators and state representatives, I wonder if they saw the same footage that we saw plastered all over the news concerning Ms. Goode and Mr. Pretti in Minneapolis. Ms. Goode was turning away from the officers and Mr. Pretti had a phone in his hand. No guns were drawn. 

I reached out to Sen. Tim Sheehy, Rep. Ryan Zinke and Sen. Steve Daines. Oddly enough, no reply. Rep. Troy Downing’s website said that I couldnt leave an email because of my ZIP code. Is it too much to much for these guys to say, “Hey, we were wrong in our support of ICE in this incident?” 

The people that were murdered were innocent and lawfully protesting. It would be refreshing if our politicians could make a few decisions that supported normal people and not the party line.

— Lewis Moore, Rollins

Political agenda

I’d like to take a moment to ask why we are even having the ICE conversation in Kalispell. This is beyond ridiculous and I feel it’s a political agenda. 

Those who are protesting do not know the severity of the illegal immigrant situation they support. Illegal immigrants are just that … illegal. Many of these illegal immigrants are bad people, and yes, some truly are refugees, but regardless they are here illegally.

As for the protests because of the Minneapolis situation, I beg those protesters to spend a day in the shoes of the officers who are only trying to protect us. 

As far as holding community meetings, why don’t we hold them after business hours when we, the working class, can actually attend them and voice our concern? Again, we the people are busy earning an income to support families, unlike those who protest ICE. 

I’m all for peaceful protests, but this is absolutely ridiculous and people need to better police themselves rather than worry about everything else.

— Mike Dahs, Kila

No sanctuary city

I make it quick and simple. We can’t ever be a sanctuary city or a city filled with drug zombies. I support our ICE officers and law enforcement officers. Our borders should have never been open in the first place.

— Rachel O’Brien, Kalispell

Rein in ICE

Montanans never voted for a police state. Montanans treasure our individual liberties and appropriate limits on government power.

Imagine if our city police or county sheriff’s deputies suddenly took to wearing masks to hide their identities. We wouldn’t put up with that. Why should we tolerate that with ICE?

Montanans value our gun rights. Recently in Minneapolis, ICE tackled, disarmed and then shot a man who was merely filming them from a sidewalk. Authorities labeled him as a “domestic terrorist” because he had a legal, properly permitted handgun. The man was merely exercising his First and Second Amendment rights.

If police can grab a man and execute him simply because he is recording on his cell phone from a public sidewalk, what keeps them from persecuting people for what they say, the church they attend, the clubs they belong to or how they vote? Nothing. If one political party gets away with this in the present, what keeps another political party from doing the same in the future? Nothing.

This is not the America we want. Nor does it represent the ideals so many fought for. What happens in Minneapolis can happen in Montana. Police are supposed to protect our rights and keep us safe. ICE is doing the opposite.

Montanans want law and order. That includes from the police. It’s time for Sen. Steve Daines, Sen. Tim Sheehy and Rep. Ryan Zinke to rein in ICE, before more blood is shed and more rights are squandered.

— Ben Long, Kalispell

Don’t radicalize Kalispell

Please don’t make Kalispell a sanctuary city. There are not enough places for locals and native Montanans to live right now, let alone bringing in illegal immigrants.      

We are trying to find a place to live and having a difficult time. Don’t destroy the last best place by radicalizing the people and the city.    

If you get people coming in that believe you can fight law enforcement, then we are losing the goodness and freedoms that Montana has. Please, don’t succumb to California or East Coast beliefs. Look at their cities. They are a wreck. We don’t want that.   

Please, please, don’t bring in radical beliefs. Keep Montana free from the riots and violent protesters. Once you lose that you don’t get it back.  

— Joy Corwin, Great Falls

Paid activists

The paid and organized activists who impede officers doing their job only exacerbate a very difficult job. Activists are increasing the likelihood of harm to citizens and officers. Given the opportunity these paid activists will take advantage of any weakness they perceive

Don’t go down that path. Assist the federal officers whenever possible to limit unnecessary confrontations between citizens and officers.  

No sanctuary for criminal aliens should be provided.

— Dean Hiatt, Kalispell