Let’s drop the labels

by Deborah Tilden, Darby

Reading my first edition of the Bitterroot Star, January 5, 2022, I appreciated the varied opinions of local residents on a wide array of issues.  

However, one in particular from Mary F.T. I found a bit disturbing in relationship to how she compared hardworking, caring, compassionate God-fearing American patriots to Nazi Germans, because they honor and fly the American flag? 

Veterans, their family and friends and our grateful nation, in large part fly the American flag to honor and remember the sacrifices of generations past who paid the highest price and sacrifices to preserve the very freedoms even Mary has, to publicly exercise her First Amendment free speech right to her opinion.  

I would also say, her half-quote of Ryan Zinke at a recent Ravalli County Commissioners meeting, coupled with her own version and interpretation of his statement about patriotism. She admittedly “missed the exact words but understood them to be ‘the national anthem’ and/or ‘the Pledge of Allegiance.”  

I’m not sure what Mary has against either the national anthem or the pledge of allegiance?

Mary, those you are criticizing are your own neighbors exercising their own First Amendment free speech rights to fly our flag or recite the pledge of allegiance – DO NOT equate to Nazis.  

As you are exercising your right to write and criticize them, assuming to know the intent of their hearts.

Perhaps they lost a grandfather or great-grandfather in WWI or WWII? Or, an uncle, brother, or father in Vietnam? Or, even lost loved ones in the war in Afghanistan?   

Perhaps instead, as you mentioned in your own opinion piece, you could be a “safe…kind” person who “cared about other people and what really seems right…”  

In closing, Mary, your generalization about your fellow Americans, and Montanans, who honor our nation’s flag and those who fought for your freedom to speak your mind isn’t very kind or caring. Nor is your generalization of the “patriots who stormed the Capitol Building in Washington, DC, a year ago to prevent our elected government from functioning…with the encouragement of a man whose only loyalty is to himself” is a talking point that the lamestream media establishment wants you to believe. The divisive nature of these comments do not reflect a kind or caring attitude towards your fellow Montanans, or fellow Americans.

I was in DC the week of January 4th-7th, 2021, for meetings and events, along with nearly one million fellow Americans who were there exercising our First Amendment Right to PEACEFULLY ASSEMBLE and exercise our Free Speech. I’d love to share my pictures and video of the events of the week, including the afternoon of January 6th. Where 99.9999999% of those attending were there PEACEFULLY.

There were approximately 400, according to my own Congressman, out of the close to one million, who stormed the Capitol. That’s .0004 percent of those in attendance, hardly the majority. Those who broke the law and committed criminal acts should receive the consequences of their actions. Why did the Mayor of DC, and Speaker Pelosi reject President Trump’s offer to provide 10,000 national guard troops to make sure order was kept. Have you been to DC for events?

The BIG LIES of some leaders, and their partners in the media are divisive, hateful and dangerous to us all, and to all of our freedoms.

To generalize, label and make accusations against law abiding, God fearing, kind, caring and compassionate fellow Americans who care about protecting and preserving our Republic, standing for our United States Constitution and honoring the fallen across the generations from all races, tribes and tongues, is hardly productive, kind or caring.

Let’s drop the labels, generalizations, hyperbole and political talking points.