Valley Views

valley views We must address facial recognition technology

Our rights to not have our property or persons searched or seized without a warrant, to not be harassed by the government without good reason, and to conduct our own peaceful affairs with minimal intrusion are increasingly challenged by new technology. Our smartphones track our every movement, many personal conversations happen through electronic communications, and our health and financial data are increasingly stored on devices and in the cloud.

These digital records have become so involved in every aspect of our lives that we have essentially created an entire digital version of ourselves as individuals. That’s why the Montana Legislature has passed several laws in recent years to safeguard people’s digital information. To get access to someone’s location via their cell phone, the government needs a warrant. Same thing if the government wants access to your text messages or your computer. The media’s electronic communications are off-limits to the government so the press can perform its essential watchdog role for the people without Big Brother’s interference. All these protections for our digital information have been passed and signed into law in Montana. Voters will also have an opportunity to weigh in on this topic directly through a proposed constitutional amendment that I was able to get placed on the 2022 ballot.

But now, the line between our digital selves and our physical selves is getting blurry. Voice-activated devices can place orders for us. Smartwatches can read our pulse and feed the data to an algorithm that analyzes our health. Ancestry companies hold records of customers’ DNA and compare them to others in a vast database. And facial recognition technology is becoming more powerful and more widespread.

We don’t have to imagine what unchecked use of facial recognition might look like because China is already showing us. The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) claims its facial recognition system could scan the faces of China’s 1.4 billion citizens in just one second. The CCP is using facial recognition to track the movements of 11 million citizens who are part of an ethnic minority that it is oppressing, detaining, and abusing. The technology is central to China’s mass surveillance state.

In the United States, facial recognition technology is increasingly being used by law enforcement and other government agencies for a variety of purposes. Montana’s Frontier Institute confirmed through public record requests that several Montana government agencies have used facial recognition, although to what extent is not fully clear. Individuals frequently use the technology to unlock smartphones and tag friends in social media photos. Like any technology, facial recognition is a tool, and it can be used for

good and bad. The Legislature must address facial recognition to ensure Montanans can use the technology without sacrificing our privacy and our rights. As digital privacy has been a bipar Legislative tisan issue in Montana, biometric privacy should Notes be as well. Currently the Legislature’s Economic Senator Ken Bogner Affairs Interim Committee, which I chair, is studying the issue. We plan to bring legislation to the next session in 2023 addressing facial recognition technology. Throughout this year we’ll be taking input from Montanans on what that legislation should look like. If you have ideas on how facial recognition should or should not be used in the Last Best Place, please get in touch with us. Our contact information, schedule, and more information are all avail-

letters

Bigger than us

Editor,

As Congress deliberates voting rights, we should remind our representatives of just how bad things were in a “United” States that was segregated. I grew up, many decades ago, in Jim Crow Texas. My father was a schoolteacher with five children, but, because African Americans commanded insignificant wages, we could always afford a maid. I never knew a black person, except as a servant or laborer. Black people were not in my schools, not at church, not at gatherings, and not in my family. Lynchings were not talked about much, but they were part of life, and I remember adults talking about whether the civil rights workers somehow got what they deserved.

Today, this sounds almost too dystopian to believe. That is because of the difficult and dangerous work of the Civil Rights Movement - work that protected the right of African Americans to vote - and, in doing so, protected all of us.

Today, African American votes matter, and this group is participating in every aspect of American life. There are educators, journalists, attorneys, doctors, scientists, actors, musicians, and artists at work for the common good - and all of us are

see page 11 able on the Legislature’s website under the Economic Affairs Interim Committee.

Sen. Ken Bogner, R-Miles City, is the chairman of the Montana Legislature’s Economic Affairs Interim Committee

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richer for it.

This is how important the vote is.

It is not something to play politics with. It is not something to limit.

It is bigger than any of us.

We need to pass the Voting Rights Legislation. If this legislation fails on our watch, we may be living in a very different world - one we may not like very much.

Gail Trenfield St. Ignatius

Save our democracy

Editor,

There is a lot of talk about “Saving our Democracy.” My son told me about an especially significant article in Atlantic Magazine by Burton Gellman, a journalist and bestselling author. The article’s opening: “Trump’s next coup has already begun. January 6 was practice. Donald Trump’s GOP is much better positioned to subvert the next election.”

Gellman goes on to say: “Technically, the next attempt to overthrow a national election may not qualify as a coup. It will rely on subversion more than violence, although each will have its place. If the plot succeeds, the ballots cast by American voters will not decide the presidency in 2024. Thousands of votes will be thrown away, or millions of votes will be thrown away to produce the required effect. The winner will be declared the loser. The loser will be certified president-elect.”

We Montanans are independent, strong, levelheaded, and are people of action. This surely gives us something to think seriously about with grave concerns. It seems we must not only keep ‘hoping for the best’ but must each be working, in whatever way we can, to help save our democracy.

Bob McClellan Missoula

Editor,

On returning home to Polson, as I approached the Polson Hill on Hwy 93, I saw a disturbing red, white and blue billboard on the west side of the highway which stated “Forced Vaccines? My Body, My Choice. No Fear...Vax Off!” Is this any way to welcome everyone to our community of “heart and soul?” I think not.

Dana McClure Polson

Thank you Ronan

Editor,

I want to thank Ronan businesses and the Ronan Chamber of Commerce for putting together the Parade of Lights Raffle. I won first prize and it was very generous. I am so proud to be part of this community. Thank you so very much. Sincerely,

Wanda Turner Ronan

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communities. They make lasting contributions to our public lands. With your help this experience will be possible for the next generation of service members in Montana.”

For former AmeriCorps member Nicki Jimenez, connecting with local community members helped provide stable housing when she served in FoodCorps in 2012-2014 and completed important projects including sourcing local food to schools in Ronan and Polson. She’s proud that her work provided a foundation for food and garden education in local schools long after her term of service.

“I got super lucky because employees at my service site had housing on their property that they were willing to rent to AmeriCorps members for really affordable prices,” Jimenez said. “The kindness and generosity of Karl Sutton and Darci Jones and Will and Jan Tusick really eased my way to find affordable housing in the Mission Valley when I was a FoodCorps service member. I do believe affordable housing was something my fellow members struggled with. However, one antidote to this in my time in the Mission Valley was AmeriCorps members working together and supporting each other. In the communities of the Mission Valley, AmeriCorps members from various organizations - whether it was VISTA, FoodCorps, Big Sky Watershed Corps, Montana Conservation Corps, etc. - got to know each other and helped each other out with housing. I mostly lived with other AmeriCorps members and connected new AmeriCorps members to friends and possible housing opportunities.”

As a group, she’d recommend AmeriCorps members to landlords or hosts.

“I would generally recommend AmeriCorps members for placement in local homes or as tenants,” Jiminez said. “AmeriCorps members have chosen to subsist on a living stipend in order to serve their community. Thus, they are generally community-minded and caring individuals who would be conscientious tenants. Some may be willing to trade work for housing.”

To learn more about hosting and MCC member, visit this website: https://www.mtcorps. org/support/house-a-member. html

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sports Charlo sweeps Two Eagle River in double header match up

Story and photos By Rob Zolman / Valley Journal

CHARLO — In a battle between cross county and 14C conference rivals on Saturday evening, it was a clean sweep for the host school Charlo as the Lady Vikings overwhelmed the Two Eagle River Lady Eagles 59-11 and the Vikings outpaced the Two Eagle River Eagles 76-38.

After jumping out to an 18-0 lead about five minutes into the game, the Lady Vikings used that fast start to cruise to a 59-11 win over the Lady Eagles to net Charlo its eleventh win of the season.

Lady Viking Mila Hawk led all scorers with 20 points and posted eight steals and second-leading scorer Sidney Bauer booked 10 points.

For the Lady Eagles, Dayani Piapot scored a team high five points followed by Lah Tai Finley with four points.

In the boys’ game, it was a fast paced up and down the court affair that saw both teams twisted up at 9-9 at the midpoint of the first quarter.

A 13-3 scoring outburst by the Vikings put Charlo up 21-12 by first quarter’s end.

Charlo’s stifling defense held the Eagles to five second quarter points as the Vikings outpointed the visitors 20-5 in the second to take a 41-17 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Four players finished in double figures for the Vikings with Wesley Anderson, Hayden Hollow and Stetson Reum each scoring 14 points apiece. Keaton Piedalue finished with 10 points.

Thomas Spotted Eagle netted a game high 21 points for the Eagles.

Stetson Reum

Adult Education Classes POLSON SCHOOL DISTRICT

Winter Classes

January 30 - March 25, 2022 2022

Wood Shop

Students will have access to the shop and tools to work on projects of their choice. Students are responsible for their own materials and plans. Instructor will be available to assist students with plans, project construction, and safe operation of tools/equipment.

Instructor: Jay Sampson Contact: jsampson@polson.k12.mt.us Fee: $20.00 Date: Tuesday - February 1- March 22 Time: 5:30-7:30pm Location: Polson High School Wood Shop Room 214

Buff Babes

This 55 minute female-only fitness class will be held Monday mornings in the PHS weightroom from 5:20-6:15 AM. The class includes using weights, TRX straps, bands, balance, and bodyweight exercises to achieve a total body workout. All fitness levels are encouraged to attend. The weight room will be open on Thursday mornings during the same time period for “open lift” time. Please bring: clean shoes, a yoga mat, water bottle, comfortable workout clothing

Instructor: Deanna McElwee Contact: dmcelwee@polson.k12.mt.us Fee: $0 Class Size Limit: 10 Date: Mondays beginning February 3 ending March 23 Time: 5:20-6:15 AM Location: Polson High School Weight Room

Joy of Knitting

Join us as we spend eight weeks learning the basics of knitting. We will learn the following:

How to cast on a project, the basic knit and pearl stitch, how to read patterns and how to increase and decrease stitches. We will also practice how to knit on different types of needles (straight, double pointed, circular), and how to finish a project.

We will begin with a scarf. You do not need any prior experience, just a smile and willingness to learn! When you finish your scarf I can help you move onto another project! We will supply one set of knitting needles and one skein of yarn to get you started!

Instructor: Christine Ayers Contact: cayers@polson.k12.mt.us / 406-260-1176 Fee: $20 Dates: Tuesday - February 1- March 22 Time: 5:30-7:00pm Location: Linderman School Room 109

Beginning Hand Embroidery

Embroidery is the craft of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle to apply thread or yarn. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as pearls and beads. In this class you will make either an embroidery sampler or a simple pattern of your choosing. As well as, enjoying an evening of calming handwork and socializing. Learn how to: · Choose and work with thread · Thread your needle for embroidery · Set up your hoop · Transfer patterns to fabric · Use various stitches including the running stitch, couching, backstitch, feather stitch, satin stitch, blanket stitch, chain stitch, lazy daisy stitch, french knot, bullion knot, coral stitch, and many others. · Tie off your threads and finishing

Instructor: Bonnie Petersen Contact: bpetersen@polson.k12.mt.us (406)883-6333 ext. 503 Fee: $20/ plus supplies (there will be some available to get you started) Dates: Tuesday - February 1-March 22 Time: 5:00-7:00 pm Location: Cherry Valley Elementary Room #1

Line Dancing

Line dancing for everyone! No experience necessary. This class is perfect for beginners to advanced dancers and no partner is needed. Let loose and boogie down to a wide variety of music. Line dancing is also a great workout – get those steps in and have a blast doing it! Come join in the fun and learn many motivating line dance routines.

Instructor: Hazle Heth Contact: bazle@live.com / 406-529-3452 Fee: $20 Dates: Monday - January 31-March 21 Time: 6:00-7:00 pm Location: PHS Cafeteria

Everything Apple

Do you have questions about your iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac laptop or Mac computer? This could be a class for you. In this series of four classes, we will cover basic operations, iCloud, Photos, iTunes, App Store, etc., etc.; anything related to these devices. The classes will be tailored to the attending audience and their needs.

Instructor: Steven Alexander Contact: swasster@mac.com / 406-249-0008 Fee: $10 Date: Thursday- February 3, 10, 17, 24 Time: 7:30-9:00 pm Location: Cherry Valley Modular Building