Finally! The 'one-sided, uncivil' ranting that doesn't even pretend to be public debate anymore, on ANY issues arising in Ravalli County, Montana in recent months, is being countered by a new group, the
Bitterroot Democracy Project [BDP].
a nonpartisan working group aimed at injecting rationality into the local political discourse.
(more below the fold)
ANY issue:
...include zoning, streamside setbacks and the implementation of a wildland fire plan.(bold added)
Who could be outraged by wildland fire plans that identify areas (public and private) at risk of burning in years of high fire danger? Areas that could be targeted for thinning and other treatments to reduce fire danger? Areas that are identified to save wildland firefighters lives?
That'd be a group called 'Celebrating Conservatism' who organized
based on a set of beliefs and assumptions that [Bill LaCroix, founder of the BDP] says might as well be from a parallel universe.
LaCroix said that ideology first reared in the valley in the late 1990s and returned in force in 2008 as the county debated a growth policy. And the ideology, he said, is robbing valley citizens of true participatory democracy.
"We have been dealing with this militia ideology for the past couple of years, and really this year, and we just feel like the public needs a counter to the information they are getting," he said.
...
Not only have fringe groups dominated discussion on local issues, but they've done so in a manner that has discouraged middle-of-the-road folks from getting involved, LaCroix said.
Celebrating Conservatism made a bizarre move in January, presenting a a questionnaire to County Commissioners and the sheriff to force them to uphold the federal and state Constitutions, including such important items as
• The requirement of all federal employees and other U.S. representatives to obtain written permission from the sheriff with the support of the county commission prior to approaching any county citizen.
and
• Requiring the sheriff to form and command a county militia composed of able-bodied citizens 18 and older. "Women must serve, but not in a combat capacity unless the men are in danger of being overrun. It is understood that it is the sheriff’s duty to supervise the training of the militia for a minimum of three weeks every year," the questionnaire stated.
(I confess we had alot of fun with these: Does my husband get permission to talk to me each day before he comes home from work, or can he have a weekly or monthly permission slip filled out for his return home? And regarding women helping only when the men are in danger of being overrun...jeebus!) In any case, they may be ridiculed (and ridiculous), but they do show up. And as the article regarding the Bitterroot Democracy Project noted, they are overwhelming any attempt to have a reasoned debate.
The Bitterroot Democracy Project
will host forums, bring in speakers and help promote civil discourse about topics that need to be addressed for the sake of the valley, but that have been shouted down by individuals fearful of conspiracies and one-world governments.
This could not be happening at a more critical time. We are gearing up for the 2010 election. And we know they will be 'packing heat'.
As an aside, here in Montana, and in Ravalli County, we have an active human rights organization called (naturally)the Montana Human Rights Network. They are a great organization. We need them now as much as ever.