Letters to the editor Feb. 23

This letter is in regards to the National Boy Scouts bankruptcy article published in the Daily Inter Lake.

As stated by our National Office Chair, approximately 90% of the pending and asserted claims against the BSA relate to abuse that occurred more than 30 years ago. The safety of children in our programs is the BSA’s absolute top priority and that one instance of abuse is one too many.

That’s precisely why over many years we’ve developed some of the strongest expert-informed youth protection policies found in any youth-serving organization. From mandatory youth protection training and background checks for all volunteers and staff, to policies that prohibit one-on-one interaction between youth and adults and require that any suspected abuse is reported to law enforcement, our volunteers and employees take youth protection extremely seriously and do their part to help keep kids safe.

Scouting is safer today than it ever has been.

Montana Council, and this district, offers invaluable opportunities for our scouting families to enrich youth experiences and important life skills through camping, hiking, water recreation, citizenship, science, technology, community service and a host of other activities. We’re moving forward with our program. We serve over 400 boys and girls in our district. As adults, they will be God-fearing citizens and leaders in their respective communities.

—Tom Sward of the Montana Council of Boy Scouts of America

Like most of my constituents in Granite County who make their living in agriculture, water and water rights mean everything to us. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by what I’m hearing regarding Sen. Steve Daines’ new bill to settle the CSKT water dispute.

As a Granite County Commissioner and someone who’s been involved in this for years, I’ve been pleased to see the progress on this issue regarding off-reservation water rights and the finality of the claims being relinquished, and the fact that water disputes can be settled by the state and not the feds.

For those of us who all but gave up after the legislature passed the original compact in 2015 and a federal settlement bill was introduced in 2016 , Sen. Daines’ changes to the settlement are courageous and represent a great step forward for Montana. There have been significant changes and improvements that have been sufficient enough for me to support what Senator Daines is proposing.

The most notable changes are the tribe’s concessions that affect folks in agriculture and off-reservation situations, like the people I represent. The tribes are relinquishing 97% of their water claims across the state with prejudice, which means that CSKT is giving those claims permanently. We would no longer have to live under a cloud of uncertainty regarding our water rights.

Furthermore, if water disputes do crop up, they can be dealt with within the state by people who understand what water means to farmers and stockgrowers.

The changes that are being made to settle this issue are significant. Commonsense folks should put politics aside, and get behind this plan. Senator Daines is saving Montanans from years and years of court battles and legal fees, and frankly, Montanans should be appreciative of his efforts. His negotiations have made settling this issue for good a possibility, and I’m confident this is the right thing for Montana.

— Bill Slaughter is a commissioner in Granite County

I watched the prayer breakfast with President Trump and this is how I would have started it.

“Our father who art in Heaven. Hallowed by they name. Thy kingdom com. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

“The words of the Lord are good enough for me. Nancy Pelosi, I forgive you and I will never bring the impeachment up again. SO let us move forward and make this nation God would be proud of and the world envious of.”

This is not being critical of President Trump, who is doing an excellent job.

— Mike Dey, Missoula

It is no secret that the president is a big time liar. It is also no secret that he cheats, in every aspect of his life. And, it is no secret that he steals; just ask contractors and other workers when he doesn’t pay them what they have agreed to. All of this and many more issues that are fully documented by a dozen books written by a most dazzling array of people who know the man and can document his life.

But what totally baffles me is the devotion shown to this corrupt man. This devotion has been called a cult by some, a cult which has taken over the Republican Party.

I am reminded of the early Israelites who had escaped Egypt and were dissatisfied by their conditions. They threw themselves into ecstatic frenzy over a new god, the “golden calf” which was going to rescue them.

Have religious people today, dissatisfied by their conditions, abandoned their foundation for flash and a con? You do know that there is an alternative to the leadership of the Republican Party, don’t you? The former Governor of Massachusetts is running for president, against President Trump. Former Governor Bill Weld is that man. A twice elected governor from Massachusetts, he has an exemplary record of governing. Gov. Weld is a conservative Republican who was able to govern by bringing together both Republicans and Democrats to govern for the common good. Gov. Weld is a respected intellect, an experienced lawyer, a man of honor, so different than today.

I would suggest that religious people out there drop the glaze from your eyes and abandon today’s “golden calf.” I refer you to Proverbs 6: 16-19.

—Daniel King, Bigfork