by Rick Franklin, Hamilton
Alan Lackey’s recent letter defending the John Birch Society is what you would expect from a man being managed and directed by Theresa Manzella: divisive and dishonest. This is clear with Alan’s laughable comparison of Representative David Bedey to Joe Biden. I have known Dave all of his life, he is a man of the highest integrity with a strong conservative record and a solid understanding of our Constitution.
Alan’s attachment to the John Birch Society and its questionable reputation should be concerning. The JBS besmirched its own reputation by conspiracy mongering in the 1960s and continues in that same vein today. (If you don’t believe me, check out its “Myths vs. Facts” podcasts on the origin of the Civil War.)
He continues by doubling down on the Bircher obsession with “nullification,” an interpretation of the Constitution no reputable legal scholar supports. Instead of attacking our Founding principles, Alan and the other “Manzella followers” should commit to the hard work necessary to enact law within constitutional bounds.
Finally, Alan questions Representative Bedey’s legislative record. I have followed Dave’s record over his three terms in office and I know that Dave has been among the top legislators when it comes to passing bills into law. Among those bills were ones that supported county veteran service centers, ensured local elected officials play a prominent role in responding to emergencies, strengthened the security of vote counting machines, expanded school choice, and subjected legislators to the same ethical standards that apply to other state and local officials. He has consistently supported pro-life bills and defended the 2nd Amendment. And, contrary to Alan’s misrepresentation, Dave’s HB 402 would not have legalized voting by noncitizens. Had this bill passed, Montana would have been the first state in the nation to CONFIRM the citizenship of those registering to vote. But Alan’s friends in the Legislature collaborated with progressives to kill citizenship verification. Why is the John Birch Society against verifying voter citizenship and why do they continue to lie about HB402?
Alan Lackey is a prominent member of the Ravalli County “Republican” Central Committee that purports to be the voice of “We the People.” But in reality, its leaders prey upon the anxiety and anger many people are feeling today. It does not speak for this Republican. The citizens of Ravalli County should be grateful that there are still Republicans like Dave Bedey who won’t bow to extremists.
John Grant says
Helen,
Your praise of Rick Franklin’s piece is appropriate, well stated and for you, blessedly short. You can’t seem to help yourself toward the end however, when you toss that heavy wet blanket over any who would express opinions different from your own. Lumping John Birchers and Democrats into the same pot of human beings void of “values” is a pretty high and mighty disparagement of any who see the world differently from you not to mention a galloping overreach. While you consistently demean the “values” of others I would encourage some introspection as to your own. It must be exhausting to so “correct” ALL of the time and maddening that so many of your neighbors are so “wrong” ALL of the time.
Helen Sabin says
This was well written and true as to every point you made. Thank you for doing so. The Central committee also does NOT speak for this Republican or the many that I know in the valley. Let’s purge them by bankrupting them! Do not attend their fund raisers and donate ONLY to Bedey, Rusk and Binkley when elections come up. The rest of the candidates running are either Birchers or Democrats which are about the same in terms of lack of values, actions that will benefit only them, not the valley.
Bedey is one of the best legislators I have ever seen and I have seen many state legislators in actions.
Thanks for supporting him.