Protesters’ bullying antics shameful and misguided
Roger Roots and John Lamb are educated, experienced politicians, who, presumably, understand better than most of us the constitutional framework undergirding our system of government. Roots has a law degree, too, so his level of sophistication with the detailed mechanisms government has to enforce the rights it guarantees us is quite developed.
So, what do these experienced, grown men do when they disagree with Matt Kelley over the legality of health ordinances? Do they go to court, the route our government gives us, and challenge their constitutionality using their minds and crafting legal arguments? Do they publicly demonstrate outside government offices? No! They protest right outside Kelley’s home, when his wife and little children are inside. Why? So they can try to intimidate him into submission by scaring the woman and the children he loves. They choose handwritten placards over legal briefs to terrorize the vulnerable.
Do you think Roots’ and Lamb’s mothers would be proud of how they are using their knowledge and demonstrating their character in their sensitivity toward the families of others? There are many words available to describe this behavior. None are complimentary.
Tom W. Stonecipher
Bozeman
Protest at Kelley’s home is selfish grandstanding
It is with consternation and disgust that I have read about the so-called protest outside of health officer Matt Kelley’s private residence. If this is the libertarian idea of democracy I believe they are ill advised and sadly mistaken.
Instead of promoting a free exchange of ideas (essential to a functioning democracy) these so-called “libertarians” appear to be trying to intimidate our health worker in charge who is carrying out the best science we have at the moment to protect all of us from a once in hundred years pandemic. While they are on their bullying mission, my brother has been sitting for over a month in his room in memory care as the only precaution that can be taken against covid because too many people in our county, like the protestors, refuse to help out our community and wear masks and stay at home.
Their selfish grandstanding is in my view a shameful failure. I take comfort in the knowledge that they in no way reflect our Montana values. I advise them to go home and stop making a ludicrous spectacle of themselves. In my view it’s downright un-American to try to intimidate the Kelley family and neighbors by showing up at their private property. There are 3,000 Americans dying a day.
Wearing a mask until we have a vaccine seems a small personal sacrifice to help our fellow Montanans.
Janine Baker
Bozeman Daily Chronicle Letters to the Editor 12/13/20