Letters to the Editor
Voices from the community—reader-submitted letters sharing opinions, concerns, and perspectives on local and statewide issues.
OPINION: We aren’t mad enough about PFAS in Montana’s rivers
For many Montanans, rivers and lakes are more than scenic landscapes.
To save lives, change the culture - the gun culture
As a father I have reached the end of my tolerance for excuses as to why we can’t do anything about mass shootings. Two of my kids walk onto a college campus every morning while my youngest walks into high school. …
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Gun control will remain controversial and enforcement will remain problematic. Preventing school shootings is complicated and will require a wide mix of approaches.
Stop talking about what 'won't work'
I am frustrated by persons talking about only what “won’t work” to stop gun violence — the theory that gun violence is all about guns and helping with mental disorders won’t help unless we get rid of all the guns, …
Don't stigmatize the mentally ill; just restrict guns
By Jeanne Southwood
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It’s no surprise to read about another mass shooting in one of country’s schools — it’s become all too commonplace. So too are the responses: outlaw guns, more…
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Democrats touted how they wanted a “clean” DACA bill. But then they shut down the government by not approving interim funding in order to blackmail the citizen…
Bipartisan legislation seizes opportunity for local growth
Partisanship has taken hold of our political lives from Washington to right here in Northwest Montana. Despite all the political ill will, there appears to be one issue that Republicans and Democrats can agree on —…
Guns are not responsible for murder - people are
I feel it might be timely to remind everyone that the only time a gun is an “assault” weapon is when it’s used to assault. When used to defend, well, guess what — it’s a “defense” weapon. I want to be able to defen…
Blame Trump and GOP for mass murder
One year ago Trump signed his first piece of legislation — a stand-alone Republican, NRA bill to make it easier for the mentally ill to buy guns.
Indoctrination of violence
Sitting in my front room and getting ready to watch the Olympics on NBC and then comes a break into the program: “We interrupt this program to bring you this s…
The safety of our children and communities
Washington, D.C. is broken. Our representatives choose time and again to bend to the interests of lobbyists and corporate donors at our expense.
Taking a cold, hard look at mass killings
As a parent, I am terrified of the idea that my daughter’s life, or any child’s life, could be in danger at school. I’m heartbroken for the parents who lost children, students who lost friends, and the entire commu…
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It is easy to dismiss the budget cuts being considered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services as an easy way to save money. However, the latest …
Trump is an out-of-control egomaniac - got it?
“Treason” — wow! We’re living in the age of treason being defined as disagreement with Trump. How Putinesque. If you’re not one of Trump’s lap dogs, then you’re a traitor to the country? Being a traitor is inviting…
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Ratepayers in the Flathead Valley have been fortunate to have Jay Downen representing us on the board of directors of the Flathead Electric Co-op. Downen is no…