About Fightin' and Drinkin'

G. GEORGE OSTROM / For the Hungry Horse News

Thirty nine years ago, one of Montana's U.S. Senators challenged and knocked down a U.S. Capitol policeman. That is a happening worth discussing.

Per capita, Montana may have sent a higher number of "effective" U.S. Senators to Washington than a majority of states. Have briefly covered careers of several here over the years. Of course the most infamous was Mike Mansfield, but history also records notable accomplishments by James Murray, Burton Wheeler, Thomas Walsh, and the man I served under, Lee Metcalf. Lee was a WW II combat officer, leading American troops across Europe. After the shooting stopped, he used extensive legal background in Allied prosecution of Nazi war criminals at Nuremberg. Also helped draw up Germany's new democratic constitution before returning to Montana and becoming a Congressman. Much has been written on his leadership roll in national health care legislation, the wilderness bill, and other vital issues.

In accurately recalling the complicated and driven man, Lee Metcalf was, historians must consider the physical and emotional demons that haunted him after the war. Have discussed that subject before, but last week found an old Missoulian column by well known newsman, Chris Walterskirchen. It deals with an incident I had completely forgotten. Here is part of what Chris wrote in a 1996 "Flashback":

"25 years ago (1971) *Lee Metcalf, Montana's junior senator, has been getting a lot of mail concerning his altercation with Capitol Police. On May 3 Metcalf broke through a police line surrounding a peace demonstration to complain about officer's treatment of anti-war demonstrators. In the course of interceding, Metcalf knocked down a Capitol Hill police officer. The mail has been running over 85 percent against his actions with numerous calls for his resignation. Metcalf received one letter suggesting he run for President. He said later, the incident gave him as much national attention as he would ever get."

Lee may have gotten thousands of letter, from practically every state in the Union, giving him hell; but in the next year's election the voters of Montana sent him back to the U.S. Senate for a third term. We knew he was a decorated war veteran who led the first American tanks across the Rhine River into Germany. He had certainly demonstrated at all levels, his willingness to fight for just causes. We voters also understood Lee's belief that all citizens have the right to peacefully express criticism of their government.

Lee Metcalf in his heart was like most of us, a peace loving man; however, thinking back on it, maybe he would have given me a pay raise … if Iris would have let me clobber that arrogant Nazi we saw strutting near the White House.

Also noticed in that Walterskirchen column a reference to 1971 issues arising from the State Legislature's proposal to lower drinking age from 21 to 19. They eventually did lower it to 18 for a few years and it seems a bit scary to recall oldest son, Shannon, and his high school senior friends could legally go to the bars and have a beer … "once in a while." As I recall … he smiled.

The drinking age is a complicated socio/legal issue. Always has been. Though it's back up to 21, problems still remain with numerous teenagers unwisely abusing alcohol. Anyone following the news knows this presents problems for some parents, for all law enforcement, and sadly … for a number of teens themselves. One argument for 18 year olds drinking says, "People old enough to vote and fight for their country are old enough to drink." That reasoning isn't completely valid, primarily based on emotion, and difficult to logically justify.

Age isn't nearly as important as an attitude of common sense, i.e. moderation. Thankfully a majority of young people, in one way or another, learn to deal sensibly with alcohol … there are some adults who never do. I certainly have no easy answers and feel lucky Iris and I got four kids through those transition years without serious problems. Now get to worry about the grandkids.

I did some drinking in the service mainly overseas and mostly beer, probably because only officers got a hard liquor ration. Going in the army at 17, I still had some learning to do but was forced to figure it out fast. Got back home at age 20 and couldn't buy a beer. Bartenders explained, "Northwest Montana now has a very strict State Liquor Inspector." They were talking about my Dad.

Life is complex … but interesting.

G. George Ostrom is a Kalispell resident and a national award-winning Hungry Horse News columnist.