Schweitzer should follow other Dems on environment

An open letter to the governor:

Dear Gov. Schweitzer:

Now that you have been re-elected, and are safely tucked away in the Governor's Mansion for another four years, and you are term limited from running for governor of Montana again, you might consider behaving like a true Democrat instead of a DINO (Democrat-In-Name-Only).

Why not consider taking a Democrat's viewpoint on the environment now? It is no longer necessary for you to turn your back on the threat to wildlife and their habitat in Montana out of fear of not being able to get yourself re-elected by a populace of red-necked animal killers, loggers and snowmobilers anymore.

You can still be a hunter, gun owner, member of the NRA, supporter of Montanan's Constitutional rights to hunt and opponent of gun control legislation, while still using your considerable political clout/prestige to oppose grizzly bears, lynx, wolves, wolverines and bald eagles from being de-listed from the protection of the Endangered Species Act, in order that they can be hunted into extinction.

Now you can always hide behind the fact that the National Forests within the borders of Montana are not within your jurisdiction and province, but that does not stop many special interest groups in Montana, and some Republican politicians, from waging a war against the Endangered Species Act and fighting with all their might to get these animals de-listed, in order to destroy their habitat in the name of Republican capitalism. As my Democratic governor I look to you to rebut/repel those efforts.

When we have had this conversation in person, in the past, you turned around and walked away from me in mid-sentence. But now you are safely re-elected. It is time to do the right thing. I want you to actively participate in the efforts of true Democrats in Montana who work so tirelessly as the minority of the populace that loves wildlife.

If appealing to your love of animals does not work, how about an appeal to your Republican (DINO) capitalistic bent? There are 10 million tourists that visit Montana annually. The vast majority of them visit here to view wildlife, especially grizzly bears. Do the math. When I visited here over a 25-year period, prior to moving here seven years ago, it was to view and study grizzly bears and I spent over $2,000 per week in Flathead County and Glacier National Park each trip. In fact, Flathead County counts two million vehicles visiting Glacier National Park annually. My guess is that it represents an average of four people per vehicle. Is that not enough money to make an impression on you? That money is being injected into Montana's economy to view wildlife, not to kill them. Of course, now that you stand on the sidelines, uncommitted to political action, as new law will allow loaded guns in Glacier National Park, do you believe the tourists will continue to visit here?

Bill Baum is a resident of Martin City.