Missoula and Western Montana speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Oct. 11, 2019
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Missoulian
Donald Trump is obviously an authoritarian. Who can dispute this? His brand of governing is labeled as “authoritarian populism.” Trump clearly has at least 35% of the population as followers. That would mean at least 350,000 Montanans.
The mythical “American exceptionalism” within many, tends to allow them to believe that an American dictatorship would be different, and better from any other. Harvard law professor Cass Sunstein, although believing in the resilience of democracy, warned us in March of 2018 about American authoritarianism, saying “not Hitler, it’s not Mussolini, but it’s something that Americans should concern themselves about.”
An American dictatorship may be slightly different, but any substantial benefits would go to a few. In many African dictatorships, ardent supporters may glean some minimal benefits, at the expense of the country as a whole. However, they are also heavily exploited (stolen from) with the rewards to a very few elite.
A good article can be found by Stanford Graduate School Of Business Insights from Jan. 1, 2007.
Dictators may rule by fear, or as in the case of most, by corrupt kleptocracy. This "authoritarian grass" is definitely not greener to most.
Erwin Curry,
Missoula
What planet is Roger Koopman living on? Kids are taking the initiative, as politicians obviously are not. What don’t people (mostly Republicans) see about climate change? They should get their heads out of the sand and observe the facts.
The kids are taking a stance on saving their future; something Koopman and other Trumpites cannot do; they will not have to live with it, the kids will. More power to them and to education and facts, scientific facts, not just Republican, conservative non-fact-based spins. Greed is not all this world is about.
The future matters and just because we have a bunch of politicians with heads in the sand only looking for money and re-election, the kids are doing the planet a favor. More power to them. And kudos also to the educational institutions that are allowing such discourse.
Hoping for a future healthy planet,
Nancy Browning,
Bruce Beckwith,
Missoula
I am writing as a homeowner on Sixth Avenue to heartily thank the City of Missoula and the Missoula Bicycle and Pedestrian Program for the re-striping of Fifth and Sixth avenue between Russell and Higgins, as well as the re-done sidewalks along these streets to make them more accessible.
As a bike commuter, this re-striping makes me feel safer because of the buffer between car traffic and the bike lane. It is an incredible relief while commuting during morning and evening rush hours. I am also a driver, and I still appreciate the single lane traffic to help slow us all down in our cars and trucks.
Drivers: Still please look to your right before turning to make sure there is not a cyclist in a blind spot near your door or wheels. We all want to share the road responsibly and respectfully.
Thank you to the leadership at the city to make the routes safer for drivers, bikers, and folks who live in these neighborhoods. It has been years in the making!
I've noticed it's been a learning curve for some folks — but it certainly is a positive step in the right direction for Missoula.
Kirsten Gerbatsch,
Missoula
I read where Gov. Steve Bullock has temporarily banned electronic cigarettes, AKA e-cigarettes, vaping, etc., according to the Associated Press, because “at least 18 people have died and more than 1,000 people have been sickened.” I am assuming these are national statistics.
If the governor was so concerned about our health, why hasn’t he banned all motor vehicle usage, as so far there’s been 145 fatalities on Montana highways this year?
But let’s get really serious. If the governor wanted to save lives he could ban all handguns, as they were used to kill 7,032 people in 2017. (Who gives a crap about the Constitution when you’re a Democrat?) Or how about baseball bats and the like; they killed 467 nice folks. Or what about knives, which bled out 1,591 innocent lives.
Governor Bullock doesn’t really care about those poor unfortunate souls who passed due to vaping. (They probably weren’t vaping legal products anyway.) Instead he’s trying to make a political statement so he can be someone’s vice presidential running mate.
The ban is temporary; that’s so no one will challenge it in court, as the legal process grinds too slowly. Plus, he’s picking on a minority population with no political clout (users of e-cigarettes). The article also claims 22,000 Montanans who are between the age of 12 and 18 (most can’t vote) use vaping products.
Well, kids, let this be an important lesson for you. Notice this Democrat governor placed a ban on selling vaping products without first taking any legal action to prove the harmful effects of the product.
Democrat presidential candidates have already stated they want to seize your guns. In the past 100 years governments have killed 89 million unarmed citizens. Do you want to be next?
Norm Johnson,
Polson
I like beef and my father raised beef, but I wonder about Donald Trump’s beef deal with Japan.
It may be good for those in the beef industry to now have an agreement, even with cloudy details. However, by Trump dropping Barack Obama’s (the last word is key) Trans Pacific Partnership, which went into effect in March of 2018, 19 months ago, a loss of markets occurred in an agreement with 12 nations signing. Seven nations, including China, were in negotiations in the TPP.
An article I just read indicated that the Japanese are now enjoying the choices of more Canadian and Australian beef with the TPP. The Trump agreement is only with Japan. A web search indicated agreements with Vietnam for beef with the TPP. Now a lateral agreement will need to made with Vietnam and other 11 countries in the TPP not to mention the other countries involved in negotiations.
The TPP was dropped in January of 2017 by the Trump administration. That is 33 months ago. So at this pace, how long will it take to get an agreement with the other countries? I thought a "businessman" president would speed the wheels of government?
Erwin Curry,
Missoula
Readers, are your eyes open? Be honest!
How can a civilized country actually kick and scream about a legal elections outcome? Sounds like Hitler tactics are at work in the USA.
We will take your guns, the government will take care of you, tax the rich, free free free everything. What would be the outcome? Really? Only the truly ignorant do not see that this scenario has played out 90 years ago.
Yes, Hitler's manifesto is used by the Democratic Party today and people are like lemmings going off the cliff. Really? Nothing is free. Hard-working people who got educated, worked hard, took risks, etc., deserve to be rewarded financially. People who just go with the flow have not worked for a "better life."
America has offered everyone with motivation and sound social upbringing an opportunity to achieve whatever level of lifestyle possible. Success comes from correcting failures. Learning from everything life throws at you and not repeat failures like the Democrats are preaching today.
If you do not like election results, work hard and show positive results you have done in the past to make America great again. So far the only thing I hear is crybabies mad that their "mommy" was not elected. Thank goodness, as her past was filled with corruption, deceit, greed and only Clinton advancement and power as her driving force. Just ask the dead Benghazi diplomats, soldiers, raped women, questionable (35) deaths, financial skimming from their foundation, stealing from the White House, charging millions to stay in the Lincoln bedroom, selling U.S. uranium to Russia, etc.
The solution is simple, people. Vote with eyes open. Do an honest background check. What I see today is everything that had been promised to the USA in the past and vote on results not false promises.
Ron Albrecht,
Kalispell
I take exception to one of the comments in the column by Karen Wickersham and Chase Gay on Oct. 3.
In it they say that the city reduced taxes by 3.9%. At a quick glance this may be true but it is only because property values increased and the city received more revenue as a result. Had property values remained the same and the city funded its departments the way it did in the new budget, we probably would have seen another seven-hour budget meeting where the city had to "borrow" from the Missoula Redevelopment Agency to make expenses and refused to make any cuts to get in the black.
Missoula doesn't have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem.
Greg Tollefson,
Missoula
Please join me in supporting Amber Sherrill for City Council.
Missoula is changing at a pace few imagined just a decade ago. Change is providing extraordinary opportunities, like expanding local businesses, higher-paying jobs in safe and healthy work environments, and community infrastructure improvements. Change is also presenting challenges, like congested roads, a scarcity of skilled labor and higher housing costs.
The demands on our local leaders are great. Navigating the issues of our time and moving us in a positive direction has never been more complex. Amber Sherrill is a leader who will serve Missoula well on City Council at this important time. She has the ability to learn about the breadth of issues we face. She will work well with others to deliver good outcomes for the community. She will do the right thing even when it’s hard.
Your vote matters, and if you’re considering your vote in Ward 4, you will be served well by a vote for Amber Sherrill.
Grant Kier,
Missoula
Roger Koopman, one of five Montana Public Service commissioners, recently wrote that the student protests regarding our current climate crisis is a leftist plot. Koopman, when did science become a leftist plot?
Science created the car you drive, other modern amenities and electricity that you supposedly regulate. This same science is saying that we have saturated our atmosphere with the wastes of over 100 years of industrial development. This science says that this is warming our earth especially the oceans to make it unlivable. This science says we are creating extreme weather events and making portions of the earth unlivable for the millions that inhabit it.
The only scientists (about 3%) denying this are paid by organizations funded by oil interests.
Koopman, with your bias toward science you should not be regulating our public utilities that provide our electricity and making decisions about wind and solar-generated electricity that do not add to our climate crisis.
Bruce Bender,
Missoula
I enjoy reading the "World of Wonder" page in the paper, but I prefer that it be accurate. If you would double-check the data before it goes to print, it would present a more clear and accurate picture of the story that you are presenting.
The Native American peoples in Alaska are varied culturally and ethnically. They include the Aleut, Eyak, Yupik, Inuit, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian peoples and 11 different Athabaskan groups. To put them all into the two groups, Inuit and Indians, is to leave out a huge chunk of Native cultures and to not recognize the many unique cultures that make up the Native peoples of Alaska.
Secondly, the Northern Lights are visible throughout Alaska during the fall and winter months, not just from Fairbanks. Spend some time north of the Arctic Circle in December and watch their colors dance and hum straight above you in the sky. They are as beautiful and unique as are the many Alaska Native cultures.
Finally, the population of Juneau is greater than that of Fairbanks. These two cities, along with Anchorage, are the most populous of Alaskan cities, Anchorage being substantially larger than the other two. Facts matter.
Susie Menegat,
Missoula
Worldwide: The United States provides the best medical care that nobody can afford.
Ed Chaberek,
Superior
I do not know Koopman so I cannot speculate on whether he is ignorant of how political protest is supposed to work in this country, or if he just hates the idea of high school students being smarter and better informed than he is.
The founding fathers of this country repeatedly made statements encouraging the population to hold the government's feet to the fire when they felt that the government was going in the wrong direction. This is our birthright as Americans, and to suggest otherwise goes against everything that this country is about.
Koopman also seems to think that these students are not very intelligent, and are so easily swayed by adults that they will blindly do what they are told. Anybody who has ever raised a teenager knows how wrong this is. Today's teenagers are more intelligent and well-informed than ever before, and are trying to save their future from people like Roger Koopman, who are only interested in taking what they can to enrich themselves, without a care to the future of coming generations.
Roger Koopman, you should get out of the way of these young people. They are smarter than you, and unlike you, they are concerned for their future.
John Rosett,
Missoula
Roger Koopman writes a truly frightening opinion in the Oct. 2 Missoulian.
He berates schools and parents for permitting students to participate in the recent worldwide marches and demonstrations protesting inaction or slow response to the almost universally accepted threat of climate change.
He offers the bare-faced lie that “the best of America’s scientists have been honest and courageous enough to say that this crisis is world-class hogwash,” while in truth it’s recognized by over 98% of leading climate scientists to be perhaps the largest and most dangerous threat to the earth and mankind ever measured.
He says schools teaching climate change “indoctrinate” our students with “only one side of the man-made climate change debate,” although there is no valid “other side” to the implied “debate” except the lies heard from the chorus of willfully ignorant deniers, who, like Koopman, call climate change concerns nothing but “activity organized by out-of-town leftist activists.”
Most frightening is that this ignorant, dishonest hack is a member of our Public Service Commission, with power to rule against “leftist” plans for renewable energy, but favoring the continuation of Montana’s feckless coal dependency. He must be replaced, and soon.
Bill Boughton,
Missoula
According to statistics published in the Missoulian, cattle prices have dropped about 16% from a year ago. All of the media tell us that many dairy farmers are going bankrupt or are in dire straits.
Yet when I go to the market, beef products appear to be higher than they were a year ago. I always thought that milk or cream was a major ingredient in ice cream but some of the ice cream that I purchase is higher priced than a year ago.
It would be nice to see those producer lower costs passed on to us consumers.
Peter Daniels,
Polson
Roger Koopman's commentary in the Oct. 2 Missoulian so angered me that I yelled obscenities at every sentence.
Koopman thinks students should not skip one day of school to demonstrate against climate change — a deadly peril threatening all life on this planet.
Actually, their rally participation is far more important than any month of school attendance.
Koopman indulges in Trumpian name-calling, but it is even worse that (like Donald Trump) he blatantly lies: Koopman calls climate destruction "world-class hogwash" that "the best of America's scientists" have somehow disproved. That claim is a jaw-dropping fabrication. Who are these great "scientists," sir? Why could you not name a single one of them?
An overwhelming majority of true experts agree that human-caused warming is making our climate degrade further by the hour. Time magazine devoted its entire Sept. 23 issue to this frightening topic.
Yet a scoffing Koopman claims that he and his fictional "best" scientists somehow know more than anyone, and that students are wasting their time by taking to the streets.
Koopman, maybe kids could stay in their classes were it not immeasurably more important that they protest the appalling, outrageous climate ignorance people such as you have displayed.
John Russell,
Missoula
On issues that surface in the news it is always proper to go back to the Constitution and see exactly what the law says. Currently, there is an issue about a whistleblower and those who helped the whistleblower write the complaint against President Trump.
Amendment VI of the Constitution reads: "and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him."
Therefore, the whistleblower and those who helped write the complaint should be identified publicly.
Gary Carlson,
Corvallis
In his (online-only) letter to the Missoulian tagged "Impeachment and civic responsibility," Erwin Curry admonishes his audience to be responsible citizens and participate in "straw votes" on their politician, or issue of choice, at the proverbial water cooler or whenever and wherever they can.
Merriam-Webster defines the "straw vote," often referred to as a "straw pole," to wit: "an unofficial vote taken (as at a chance gathering) to indicate the relative strength of opposing candidates or issues."
Besides our own incoherent "straw vote" encounters, the members of U.S. House of Representatives are engaging in their own straw votes which are often an aberration, appearing out of the swamp, headed nowhere in particular and thus a complete waste of time.
In the meantime, we voters needn't spend our time in one straw vote after another, spilling our guts and cleaning up the vomit. In the meantime, we can nurture wisdom by keeping our tongues bridled, patiently waiting for our voices to be heard in the quite serenity of the voting booth come November 2020.
Donald Bergoust,
Missoula
$80 billion is expected to be collected by U.S. tariffs in 2019. In the first quarter of 2019, tariffs made up around 3.6% of all federal government revenue, compared with just 2.2% in the same quartered of 2018 and 1.8% in 2017. Much of the boost is due to higher tariff rates on Chinese imports, the U.S.’s top trading partner. The U.S. is considering an additional tariff increase from 10% to 25% on Chinese goods.
All of this money is deposited in the general fund of the United States. Eighty billion dollars could pay for a lot of infrastructure improvements, better funded municipal grants, improved mass transit and more. Since it is deposited into the general fund, none of this is assured.
I have contacted all three of my congressional representatives asking that they find a way to direct this money towards the improvement of the general welfare of our American society. I hope others will join me.
Paul Pacini,
Helena
Although there are at least six different historical accounts on the burning of Rome on July 19, 64, most put blame on Emperor Nero in variations from intentionally having the fire set to only singing (no violin) about it. The main "moral of the story" I that grew up with was the dishonor of Nero’s indifference to tragedy and destruction of the city he was responsible for.
There are currently 250 Republicans in the United States Congress: 53 in the Senate and 197 in the House. At this time only one Republican House representative from Michigan has gone on the record against the unlawful acts Donald Trump.
Other than vocal support of Trump by a few ardent supporters, there has been only silence from the Republicans. One can hear a pin drop over the cricket chirps. Unlike Rome in 64, there is no actual fire at this time, unless you consider man-made climate change, but our Constitution is being heated like tinder by the anarchy of the Trump administration and full ignition will soon result and the nation will be recognizable.
There are 249 Neros, two of whom represent Montana in Washington, D.C.
Erwin Curry,
Missoula
I support Amber Sherrill for City Council in Ward 4. Her history of volunteerism, nonprofit work, and endorsements by the Democrats, labor and conservation, clearly shows that Sherrill cares about the future of Missoula.
Not only do I believe Sherrill will be an important asset to Missoula, but I have major concerns about her opponent, Alan Ault. During the recent City Council candidate forum, Ault said he doesn’t want organizational endorsements, but he is endorsed by the Republicans and something called Team Liberty. Has he rejected those endorsements? Nope. He called himself a Labor Democrat/Moderate Republican but he filed with the Commissioner of Political Practices as a Republican.
As a "Labor Democrat," he plans cutting the municipal workers' healthcare coverage. I guess Ault believes that city employees do not deserve quality health care and he does not understand that their coverage is a part of a collective bargaining agreement. Before preaching transparency in government, Ault needs to apply honesty and transparency to his Ward 4 campaign.
Amber Sherrill has worked hard in Missoula to improve our lives and our community. I urge Ward 4 voters to support real transparency and thoughtful governance by voting for Amber Sherrill.
Loren Pinski,
Missoula
We are writing in support of Gwen Jones for Ward 3 city councilor.
Four years ago Jones was elected to this position and has since proven her competence and dedication. She has dug into issues through research and one-on-one conversations with experts to educate herself before deciding her vote. She understands that issues which may appear simple on the surface can be far more complicated underneath. Jones is always readily available to her constituents to explain such issues in a clear and concise fashion.
Her hard work on specific legislation and special projects has benefited our community. The Registered Apprenticeship Bid Preference helps growth in the trades in Missoula. Jones has served as one of two City Council liaisons on the Fox Triangle Working group to create a good vision for the development of a dormant asset in Missoula. Additionally, Jones has spent time educating herself on the intricacies of our property tax system and state laws, enabling her to understand ways the council may affect legislation toward tax reform.
We’ve known Jones for over 15 years and witnessed her diligence and hard work firsthand. She treats others with respect. Please join us in voting for Gwen Jones.
Lori Webster,
Missoula
I'm not a climate denier; I'm a believer in climate change. I believe that the climate is getting colder and has been for the last few years.
I've been here for 72 years and I've never seen such long, cold winters, springs, summers and now fall. It wasn't even October and we were getting snow.
I urge all you alarmists to do some research. Please google "NOAA fraud." Please don't just gullibly believe all that the media and the liberal professors feed you. Think for yourself.
Phil Christensen,
Missoula
Can anyone believe the corruption in our government with foreign leaders? Our forefathers would have had a few lynchings.
A whistleblower is very concerned about the dangerous activities going on between the president and a foreign leader; withholding money as a threat so that the foreign Ukraine leader will come up with dirt on Donald Trump's opponent. Totally corrupt Mafia tactics, and yet the cards are stacked in this administration with crooked players who don't abide by the law. This administration is so corrupt it makes Al Capone look like a novice.
The whistleblower law protects those who have some important information but don't want to be maligned and degraded or even threatened.
Voters beware, we are treading on very dangerous ground never before seen in the history of our country. Someone has figured out how to destroy our democracy and I don't think it is our President Trump; he is not that bright.
We do have a problem with the electoral college setup — it can also be tainted, but we must vote and get the word out to everyone. Our lands, our climate, our health, both financial and otherwise, depend on our loyalty to our country.
Kay Gervais,
Corvallis
Of course President Trump has every right to confront and interview his accuser.
Therefore, I hereby reveal that I am the infamous CIA whistleblower, though I prefer the handle "trumpet blower."
Furthermore, I must confess that I hired professional help in drafting the slick Ukrainian phone call complaint.
Gene Bernofsky,
Missoula
Friend or foe? We need to get it straight.
This is a pop quiz all citizens should consider carefully. Our survival may depend upon the right answer.
A major problem within the United States now is the agreement between political parties of who is a “friend” and who is an “adversary.” This chronic dysfunction is endangering the nation’s sovereignty and freedom. Is this accidental or some evolution of political thought, or is it a result of corruption? Who is a friend or a foe is a vital subject which the two political parties need to agree upon. The actions of the Trump administration only muddy the water additionally.
Which of the nations below are “friends” and which are “adversaries”? One must remember and consider our history over the 20th and 21st centuries.
Russian Federation Y/N?
Democratic People's Republic of Korea Y/N?
Islamic Republic of Iran Y/N?
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Y/N?
People's Republic of China Y/N?
Syrian Arab Republic Y/N?
Republic of Cuba Y/N?
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Y/N?
Canada Y/N?
Federal Republic of Germany Y/N?
French Republic Y/N?
Kingdom of Denmark Y/N?
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Y/N?
United Mexican States Y/N?
Erwin Curry,
Missoula
Of major historic note: The universities in the great state of Montana have now had head basketball coaches named Tinkle and Sprinkle. Top that!
Beth Kennedy,
Missoula
Montana Attorney General Tim Fox, Republican candidate for Montana covernor is touted as “centrist,” and his milquetoast persona lends itself to that impression. This persona can also be reflective of a lack in character, including spinelessness and willingness to compromise for personal promotion.
Which aspects of milquetoast does Fox’s record support? Three facts come to mind. He promoted unnecessary 2019 legislation that codified into law narcotics-prescribing practices that were already being followed, promoting the sensational false narrative that compassionate physicians are the cause of the opiate crisis, leading more physicians to abandon suffering pain patients. Typical spinelessness to go after law-abiding citizens rather than kingpin providers of narcotics: drug cartels (shipments from China) and the dark web.
Even more odious and reprehensible, Fox did not take a stand against red flag gun confiscation laws during this year’s session. Fortunately, Montana legislators and other citizens took action and stopped it.
Also notable, Llew Jones enslavement caucus Republicans endorse Tim Fox. What do the enslavement caucus and Fox have in common? Both promote growing government at the expense of individual liberty.
Say “no” to government toady Tim Fox.
Annie Bukacek,
Kalispell
As a lifelong Republican who has never voted for a Democrat, I still believe that Barack Obama was the worst president up to his time, but those faults are dwarfed by those of President Trump.
I am amazed daily how the members of the Party of Lincoln have become the lackeys and apologists of the most corrupt U.S. president ever. It is unbelievable to hear one Republican politician after another tell bold-faced lies as they become lackeys of our crooked president.
Where has their sense of honesty gone? Are they dishonest or simply ignorant?
It is increasingly clear that Trump is a pathological liar, a failed businessman and a functional illiterate who is corrupt, narcissistic, does not have the intellect to understand his job and is totally clueless about climate change. He is a wannabe dictator who needs to be impeached and removed immediately.
All Republican politicians who support him should also be voted out of office for what is obstructionism and even treason. The worst thing is that the whole Republican Party is going to take a drubbing in the next election and the Democrats may swing the pendulum too far the other way. He must be removed immediately!
Art Whistler,
Polson
The concerted efforts of many people saved my life Sept. 10.
Firstly, at 9 a.m., two women responded by my situation, turned their vehicles around and came back to Eddie Lane where I was helpless on the ground. I don’t know who you are, but I do know you are attentive, kind and compassionate. Thank you!
Brad Johnson got me from home to St. Patrick Hospital. Thank you.
Many people at St. Patrick’s contributed their coordinated life-saving abilities. Thank you!
The result is that I am still alive and mending.
Thank you, all.
Cathy Ream,
Clinton
My husband and I ranch 50 miles south of Malta on an operation that has been in the family for 102 years. We are the fourth generation. We are also contiguous neighbors to the American Prairie Reserve.
Their recent (Sept. 29) guest column mentions their scaled-back application to the Bureau of Land Management, which represents their commitment to being a good neighbor. Doesn’t that mean they are admitting that they have been a bad neighbor? They have been here since 2001 and after 18 years they decide it is time to be a good neighbor. Wow, it only took that long to realize they had an image problem with their neighbors.
Also, according to their website their mission is “to create the largest nature reserve in the continental United States, a refuge for people and wildlife preserved forever as part of America’s heritage.” Yet their guest opinion claims they want to work with Montanans to protect the economy, heritage and conservation legacy that is vital to our future. Nowhere in their mission statement does it say anything about protecting the economy or conserving our grasslands. Creating a nature reserve does not necessarily imply that either.
APR’s sincerity is too little, too late.
Perri Jacobs,
Malta
I became disillusioned with liberal philosophy, whatever that means, attempting to be an open-minded citizen with belief in benevolence and equity, yet also adherence to some commonly shared, evenly enforced laws. So, in spite of the fact that I am a direct descendant of John F. Kennedy, from a staunchly Democratic family, whose grandfather was the chairman of the Montana Democratic Party in the '50s and the mayor of Townsend in the '60s, I decided I needed to try to become a Republican.
I like Donald Trump (whom I call “Larry”) for his honesty and his hyperbolic voice that rises above the phony politically correct din, which few can substantively argue against, since he speaks the “American Dream.”
So, I tried to be a Republican. I connected with the director of the Republican Central Committee of Missoula County regarding my vision, which I believe had a freshness and passion, somewhat different than their group. I helped man their booth at the Western Montana Fair. On the whole, it was a positive experience. I didn’t attend the gun show, as I do not like them. I went to the Lincoln-Reagan Dinner. It was a little stilted, but the food was tasty. I love to sing, learned to do so at church and I belted out the National Anthem after the pledge at the outset with the best of them.
Anyway, I am disappointed. Although I am vastly different from these heavily connected power brokers of our community, I bonded with them, as I am human. I volunteered for their homecoming committee and spent several hours of my valuable time planning the float. They warned me that the candidates rarely participate in planning but show up at the last minute with their decorated trucks and their family to celebrate the day and their family. I expressed concern that the planning committee should formulate a vision regarding the party as a whole, which makes an impact on attendees, something that provides the candidates with a backdrop that showcases them within the party’s message. I thought they heard me.
I was injured on Sunday; bad fall on the ice in Hot Springs, head injury, broken and sprained hand, you name it. I regretfully told my committee that I could not help to decorate the float that I thought we had planned. The other two committee members offered their thanks and condolences.
Yesterday, I noticed that I was healing better than expected and read a desperate plea from the committee leader and the director, that nobody had responded; they had no political signs and almost no participants. I jumped into action and said that given their plight, I would show up to help no matter what. I ran around, purchased the necessary materials to flesh out our vision and returned home to confirm that I would show up Saturday morning early to decorate the float. I was told harshly that none of what I had done was necessary; candidates were showing up in droves and people I don’t know had done things outside of the committee to negate what we had planned.
They had previously planned a Trump presence, a masked individual in a limo with Secret Service men. The candidates, undoubtedly in light of the Ukraine controversy, said yesterday that they did not want Trump associated with their presence in the parade. I told them that I must opt out. An hour prior, I had told them that I can’t participate in a party whose candidates don’t commit to participation, and also won’t endorse or be associated with their party’s president and candidate.
Trump is terribly astute, and I believe he has extensively studied the American constitution and law. I believe he made the Ukrainian call to make a statement, knowing they cannot prosecute or impeach him without quid pro quo. His relationship with friends at the Ukraine has vastly improved under his leadership. He merely called a friend in the Ukraine and asked some questions, his right as an American citizen who happens to be the president.
Happy Homecoming! Enjoy the parade.
Tami Williams,
Missoula
I wanted to thank all those very self-aware people who believe a snake is a service animal. It is easy to appreciate the medical services a hedgehog can bring to a person’s disability, and how much a rat can help out too. Bringing certain species on a plane could make a frightening movie plot, but in all reality, did you think about those who are really suffering and in need of assistance to even get there?
Personally, for the sake of my multiple disabilities, I prefer an animal with a mind large enough to understand spoken language, perhaps one that can differentiate blood sugars, or rapid seizure onset and low medicinal levels; perhaps even an animal strong enough to pull me upstairs or support me when I am passing out, like a very intelligent and kind American pitbull breed, who is emotionally capable enough to understand my feelings on this very fomented subject. I am not referring to your untrained, unsocialized bully here. No, it’s not just a vest.
So, to all those who like to take advantage of the kindness of American laws, for the sake of snakes on a plane, I just wanted to let you know just how much I appreciate all the confusion and duress you have placed on those who really need a service animal to get along in society. Your self-awareness has made it impossible for disabled to travel.
Having read the recent Department of Transportation final ruling toward air carriers on the issue, thanks for nothing. Perhaps you did not realize, as your need for self-expression overruled the rights of the deserving and needing, but really, what medical services does your snake provide, and what psychological disorder do you suffer from that requires a hedgehog to redefine your very selfish needs?
Jacques F. Boulet,
Butte
Because of an absurd rule, written most likely with ulterior motives, not found in the United States Constitution, about a president’s immunity to indictment, impeachment, a political process, is the only remedy to remove an unlawful president.
This coming process appears to be a certainty now. What will the results be? The past has shown that public opinion is the ultimate jurist. It is up to the public, you and me, in the near future. It will up to each one’s aptitude, and impartiality when shown evidence, to tell right from wrong. This ability, that most have learned from our parents, caregivers and mentors will be tested. And to flee and not answer the question, in order to not create waves at work, or with friends or within families will indicate a lack of civic responsibility.
People volunteer to the military to fight for our security. And all in the nation accept their sacrifice with gratitude. But to be an American requires more than gratitude to the military. It is up to each of us to volunteer to state our very notion of right and wrong, and to demand for true justice to prevail.
Erwin Curry,
Missoula
I have recently learned of Big Sky High School’s annual trip to Japan for some of its students, and of C.S. Porter’s trip to Washington, D.C. For political, social and environmental reasons, I am outraged about these “educational opportunities.”
Last week students held a climate rally, and this week their teachers and school administration are acting as if flying across the Pacific, or across this continent, is justifiable. What it actually teaches students is that continuing to use commercial air traffic is acceptable. Further, it places an undue stress on the many parents who are not making six-figure salaries, relegating them to the status of financial aid recipients, or saddling them with peddling coffee or other donated items to raise funds.
I’m in agreement with these trip planners that traveling is a great learning opportunity. How about taking a bus to the U.S./Mexico border and learning firsthand about immigration policy? How about a trip to our northern neighbor to see how health care and First Nations policies are different or similar to ours? Such trips would encourage learning through how we are connected to others countries. That would beat wasteful tourism by a kilometer or mile.
Alexandra Koelle,
Missoula
I’ll be right there with persons like Roger Koopman (guest column, Oct. 2) in mistrust of ideologues who speak ex cathedra on any topic; the tyranny of the left detection is part of my feeler gauge toolbox.
That being said, Koopman clearly defines the fringe lunatics who have been here all my 77 years, but have been aptly consigned there until recently. They, and their Dainsian, Gianfortian, Stapeltonian, DeVosian avatars — inchoate, triumphalist believers that unfettered, predatory capitalism has answers to the climate crisis. Nor have the tin gods he sets up as “courageous scientists.”
I’m wholeheartedly opposed to demagoguery such as his, and the incongruity of him on the Montana Public Service Commission is truly a head-scratcher.
The times they’re a-changin’, brother Roger, and those 16-year-old "pawns" you don’t spend enough money on, well, ouveur and out.
Bill Shea,
Missoula
It is nice that the city of Missoula is adopting a Zero Waste Initiative. Unfortunately, waste is inherent to our economic principle of ever-increasing profits.
Equilibrium in such an economy is not just a matter of money-in, money-out; there must also be a demonstrable level of surplus money which increases on a steady basis.
In order for that to happen, an insatiable appetite must be generated to drive that economy. In such an environment any effort to reduce waste will amount to nothing more than a shift in the form of waste, not a reduction of waste.
Our economy cannot exist without generating enormous amounts of waste and as profits increase, so does waste. Zero waste initiatives won't have any effect on that.
If sustainability is really the issue, we'll have to decide what it is we want to sustain and what we're willing to give up to accomplish that.
Jim Watts,
Missoula
I am fuming. A corrupt President Trump and his men are attempting to hold money over the head of the Ukrainian president, if he will jeopardize and corrupt our democratic elections, finding dirt on Trump's opponent.
But what really blows my mind is that the National Rifle Association is backing Trump with millions as long as he doesn't go ahead with background checks on guns.
The NRA that pays zilch, nada, zero, in taxes, claims tax exemption. The NRA needs to have its tax exemption taken away when they are not working for the good of the country.
Wayne LaPierre, the head of NRA, is living like a king, spending millions on himself and his wife, and backing the gun lobby with Trump, Russian oligarchs, and Russian spies like Anna Chapman, who was arrested.
The NRA used to be a reputable corporation that really cared about the gun education of our people. It has been corrupted by people like LaPierre and mob-type individuals like what we have in the White House.
I'm a vet and I fought many years for this country to be free of this kind of corruption.
Joseph Gervais,
Corvallis
