Letters to the editor April 6
Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent, and we’re still at it today. One writer in Monday’s letters column faults President Trump for the unchecked sweep of the COVID-19 virus across our country; another wants to blame Rep. Nancy Pelosi and her “far left main street media.”
Please.
Raging at the other side achieves nothing at this point. It won’t save a job or a life, won’t help a neighbor pay the rent or put food on the table, won’t help a parent get tested, won’t produce another ventilator or mask — won’t do a thing except prolong a ruinous war of words that sucks energy and focus from what necessarily must become a unified effort to confront the virus.
Right now, many hundreds of our friends and neighbors have no jobs and no income and won’t for a long time to come. Many hundreds here in our hometowns are likely to become infected in the coming weeks. That’s the new reality.
It would be wonderful if there were a calm, persuasive voice in the land that could instill in all of us the single-minded confidence to meet this threat. But we can’t wait for that. Besides, we probably all share some blame: complacency about what was going on elsewhere in the world; refusal to take the threat seriously; ill-advised travel despite warnings; simple arrogance; or the lazy assumption that someone would bail us out come what may.
We can’t change what’s gone before. We must instead do what we can, right now, to care about each other and support each other and provide for those with immediate needs.
Changing the political landscape to suit your dogma, if that’s your goal, can wait.
—Dan Black, Kalispell
I was stunned by the recent letter to the editor by Mark Agather (March 30). In this dire time of our nation’s economic and health crisis, I was surprised the Inter Lake printed such an insensitive diatribe, serving no purpose other than to fan the flames of divisive politics and mistruths.
Mr. Agather grew up in Libby and should be cognizant that a large share of the population currently has lung disease, due to asbestos exposure. An epidemic of the coronavirus would prove fatal if an outbreak occurs, (I hope I’m wrong), which is just a matter of time.
No one wants to see the economy in a tailspin. To put people “back to work by Easter Sunday,” was not only a stupid thing to say, but dangerous, reckless and irresponsible. It’s a moot point now, but for Trump to say such a thing does not fall under my definition of a “great job handling this emergency.” This crisis does have parallels to a war, especially World War II, and Trump has shown virtually no leadership by attacking governors, name-calling, ignoring health experts, and spending more time worrying about poll numbers than developing a coherent strategy to lead the nation.
He tried to duck for cover at the start of the outbreak by his usual lies and bluster, hoping it would somehow just “go away.” It backfired, and every time he opened his mouth, investors panicked due to the uncertainty brought on by him exhibiting his ignorance and incompetence, causing the stock market to drop a few thousand points each time.
Personally, I think Trump is sweating bullets about his re-election more than anything. If not re-elected, district attorneys in New York are going to have a field day with indictments and subpoenas for his cartel to come clean. Rikers Island could be the new Mar-A-Lago.
If Mr. Agather is so flippant about having to “sacrifice” the “younger generation” in the battle to resurrect our nation’s economy, I would only assume like in any war, he would put his money where his mouth is, and lead the charge!
—Tom Horelick, Libby
Obviously, it is very politically correct and cool to run around on the taxpayers dime and “study” lynx here in Montana. But with only 40 lynx living in thousands of acres it seems to me it would be more productive to do the study in Canada where they are so abundant that trappers are allowed to catch 20 or so per season per trapper. In fact I bet that those trappers could really tell you the score on lynx habits and habitats and save years of “study.”
Besides, if Montana has so much “prime” lynx habitat, why are there not more lynx living here? If I “study” sea lions in Death Valley and don’t find any, does that mean they are an endangered species?
Perhaps I don’t understand the true agenda.
—Gerry Hurst, Marion
The Daily Inter Lake ran an article on March 15, titled “County Mulls another Levy Attempt for 911 Services.” The article stated how the 911 Emergency Communication Center has a financial need and a request for a property tax increase could be on the November ballot. Property taxes are already high for most home owners in the Flathead; especially for the elderly on a fixed income. There are other alternatives to funding the 911 Center.
Land-line and cellphones that are billed monthly are charged a $1 fee for 911 services. If you have a land-line and a cellphone you pay $2 a month. Prepaid wireless phones are not charged the $1 for 911 services. Who said taxes were fair? The article quotes, “a significant number of people are abandoning major carriers to subscribe to prepaid telephone plans”.
In the 2013 Legislative session HB 509 would have included prepaid phones in the 911 tax at the point of sale. It provided compensation to businesses for their collection efforts and would have made an unfair situation equitable. There are thousands of prepaid phones in this state and the revenue collected could have replaced the need to run a mill levy request.
HB 509 was vetoed by Governor Bullock. In his veto comments the governor said HB 509 created a general sales tax. If that is true then those with a monthly plan should not have to pay as well.
There are options for 911 funding without putting more of a burden on property owners. It is also imperative that Montana elects a governor that is sensitive to the needs of its citizens.
—Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell