Letters to the editor
Bullying is bullying
There seems to be a lot of concern lately about bullying. We focus on the event at our schools, make reference to it in the work place, but seem to totally ignore it in the course of our daily lives when it’s related to our dealings with all of our various governments and the multitude of departments and agencies they spawn. We grant them the right to bully us at will; their will.
Exactly how is it okay for public servants or elected officials or commission appointees to exercise unofficially assumed powers over us at the expense of our rights and dignities while it’s morally wrong when experienced by our children in school? Why do we find one outrageously grievous and the other acceptable?
It seems to me that wrong is wrong, across the board. Bullying is bullying whether it’s done “in your face” or behind your back. How do we give the bullies our permission to perform their act of oppression? Beats me; I personally just watch the charade until it conflicts with my orbit and then I deflect it’s path away from me. What’s your technique; do you even have one? Or, do you just expel a breath, shrug your shoulders and let it happen; again and again and again, until any sense of resistance would be futile in your mind.
Maybe, just maybe, there’ll come a time when we stop painting our outrage for things we do not accept with a narrow, fine-point artist brush and begin using the 6” handyman’s version with wide strokes.
You think maybe it’s time to acknowledge that all the white wash our Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission has put on their “last compact” is simply intended to hide their bullying tactics to push through our state legislature the worst “negotiated” agreement ever conceived or contrived by silver tongued devils, right here in the Flathead Valley.
When the State of Montana is ready to admit this attempt at negotiation has failed and want to perform a reset, let us know; we’re ready for some truth and constitutional protections.
Michael Gale
Ronan
Reduction from stress and loneliness
I used to get stressed out a lot, still do sometimes. I try to keep busy, it helps. Back home my business is called Roger’s Pies and I can hardly wait to start baking and selling again.
I still get lonely a lot. I was tortured with loneliness since I was just a little boy, probably from the age of eight up to the present age which is 60. I have a few friends here at Montana State Prison, but they are mostly just fair weather friends. And it is not easy living in prison. I have also suffered from much grief. I lost my mother back in August of 2010. She was Anna Lee Cowan, age 81. Really a loving and sweet caring mother. I still hurt from her loss.
My drinking and drunk driving put me in Deer Lodge. I’ve never married but with new hopes I hope a nice lady friend will come along when I’m back home again. And I can say that I have put the plug in the jug forever. Hopefully I don’t ever drink again. I consider myself a ‘living miracle’ and a loving caring person.
Roger W. Bordeaux
Polson
Currently incarcerated at Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge
Family Matters
The holidays are here, filled with celebration, and time with friends and family. But, for the families of the 87 people who were killed in Montana in 2011 in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, there are no joyous celebrations this holiday season.
You can help prevent this by being a responsible drinker. And please don’t put your children in the awkward position of having to get in the car with you or someone else who has been drinking. Plan ahead. Know who the designated driver is, and make sure they don’t drink. Children don’t want to confront adults about their alcohol intake, or ask that they not drive. Don’t put them in this position.
Please be safe this holiday season. Be responsible.
Julia Roberts
Polson