Judge backed agency
The Missoulian’s recent editorial on the federal court ruling that restored Endangered Species Act protection for wolves in the Northern Rockies (“Montana should direct wolves’ recovery,” July 29) suggested that judges “shouldn’t try to act as scientists.”
However, there was no judicial meddling with science in the recent wolf ruling. Far from imposing its own scientific judgments on the government, the court merely enforced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s own standard for wolf recovery, which requires “30 or more breeding pairs ... comprising some 300-plus wolves in a metapopulation ... with genetic exchange between subpopulations.”
While the Missoulian characterized the ruling as “ignoring the science,” the only party that ignored the science in this case was FWS, which tried to walk away from its own recovery standard. The court rightly stepped in to hold the agency accountable to the law.
Doug Honnold, managing attorney for Earthjustice, Bozeman
Reinhart is a blessing
I had the privilege of meeting and working with Michele Reinhart, Democrat, House District 97, at the MEA-MFT Summer Conference in Helena July 27-30.
Missoula, what a fortunate community you are to have such a knowledgeable, empathetic and charismatic leader serving your community.
Reinhart clearly understands the unique challenges facing Montana’s rural and urban citizens. She sees beyond party lines and truly represents people. It was obvious to me by observing her interaction with other state leaders that she is very well-respected in our state’s capitol. She is running for re-election, and in a second term, she will continue to successfully pass legislation that helps all Montanans.
Since I live out of her district, I can’t cast my vote for Michele on Nov. 4. However, I can encourage her lucky constituents in HD 97 to do so. On Nov. 4, choose Michele Reinhart, Democrat, HD 97.
Amy Miller, Ronan
Small acts make difference
About 500,000 years ago, people were more careful about the things they chose to do.
For instance, when they killed an animal they used everything in its body. The industries out on beaches that are killing thousands of sharks are just using their fins and throwing the rest back into the ocean, and that’s an example of how there keeps becoming more and more endangered species. An example is the penguin. The problem is all the pollution. For instance, if a penguin sticks its head through a ring in soda-can holder they start choking and they die.
I’m writing this note for an example of how we can help change the world. I don’t only speak to Missoula; I do not only speak to Montana; I speak to the world. So please, help change the world.
Thank you, Oliver Gill, age 8, Missoula
Driver was at fault
In response to the Missoulian story, “Intimidation alleged” (Aug. 1).
Who made Ron Running road cop? By pulling closer to the truck in the next lane, in an attempt to stop motorcyclists approaching from his rear from passing between him and the truck, he created a potentially deadly situation. The motorcyclists attempting to pass could have crashed and been killed.
I myself ride a motorcycle, and in my opinion, Running’s actions make him a dangerous road hog.
Why isn’t Running being charged with attempted vehicular manslaughter, or at the very least reckless driving? How did he know that the motorcycles approaching from behind were Hells Angles, and not just a lawyer or a doctor or even a local church pastor out for an afternoon ride?
As far as I know, it is not strictly illegal for a motorcyclist to pass between vehicles slowed by traffic jams by using the centerline when there is more than one lane going in the same direction. Montana law is admittedly vague on this topic. I quote from page 64 of the Montana driver’s manual: “In general, it is safest to drive in the center of your lane.” From page 15 of the motorcycle supplement to the Montana Driver’s Manual: “Lane sharing is usually prohibited, but not always.”
In California, motorcycles are allowed to use the centerline to get through stopped or extremely slow traffic in order to avoid passing out from the exhaust fumes or having their motorcycle overheat, and as we all know, once a law is enacted in California the other Western states follow suit. For example, the reduction from 0.10 to 0.08 for DUI, or the open container law just enacted in Montana recently.
If justice is to be done it will be Running who is in trouble with the law, and not the Hells Angels.
Ernie Woodman, Troy
Clinton’s was about lies
Recent letters have made a strong case for impeaching President Bush, arguing that no man is above the law.
I cannot more strongly agree. However, some have further argued that if we can impeach Clinton for “sexual peccadillos,” surely Bush’s crimes warrant as much.
One of the sadder achievements of the Clinton administration and the Democratic Party of that era was creating the illusion that he was impeached for his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. He wasn’t. He was impeached for lying under oath in the civil trial to determine whether he had sexually harassed Paula Jones. His attorneys had attempted to exclude testimony on subsequent workplace sexual activities but the judge ruled that, as in most other sexual harassment cases, a pattern of activity was relevant.
Clinton may or may not have sexually harassed Jones, and apparently did not harass Lewinsky, but he did lie under oath. He was disbarred for this. He subsequently settled out of court with Jones. (Read that as paid damages?)
Sexual harassment is not a “peccadillo”; it is a crime. Every person deserves a fair trial, even women who may have been ferreted out by Republican operatives.
Suzanne M. Parson, St. Ignatius
Let burn areas grow back
I was pleased to see the guest column by Richard L. Hutto (July 31) regarding the treatment of burned forests.
I generally keep my mouth shut on this subject because I am not a scientist and know little about it except for my own observation.
I will never forget mushrooming years ago in a severe burn area. In the part that had been logged, the soil was compacted to the consistency of cement. There was nothing growing, and piles of unusable wood were everywhere. The only movement was ashy dust floating on the breeze. Twenty yards away, where it had been left alone, the soil was loamy and already covered with all kinds of new growth. Some of the burned trees had new leaves and needles. It smelled good.
I’ve never been able to reconcile that day with all I read and hear about “logging burns for a healthy forest.” It was refreshing to see another point of view from someone with the education to back it up.
Ann Blair, Missoula
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