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Photo misrepresented who was angry during exchange

Sometimes, news articles and photo captions are so inaccurate that a correction is necessary before they take on a life of their own. An AP story on April 21 falsely referred to me exchanging "heated words" with Rep. John Parker, when in fact, I was merely the recipient of Parker's wrath. Throughout the session, the Great Falls Democrat has taken personal offense whenever I utter the word "liberty." On that particular day, he totally lost it, and no amount of peacemaking on my part was going to cool him off.


 During the floor debate on House Bill 2, I pointed out that such a massive increase in the size and cost of government reflected a lack of faith in the principles of freedom and a free society. My colleagues are accustomed to these kinds of comments, and know they are neither personal nor partisan in nature.

However, Democrat floor leader Parker became furious, and tried to cut off my right to speak. His reasons, I suspect, were two-fold: (1) discussions about liberty cut certain legislators like Parker to the quick, and (2) my freedom appeals were having an increasing impact of the way some legislators voted.

I believe there is no place for anger or personal attack in the legislative process. Throughout my life, I have always focused on ideas, not personalities or petty partisanship. So when the House adjourned, I immediately approached Rep. Parker in a spirit of friendship, put my hand on his shoulder and tried to assure him that my comments were idea-based, not personal.

Unfortunately, Rep. Parker began yelling at me, along with two other Democrats. My continued attempts to calm the group down were to no avail. At that point, Rep. Alan Olson suggested I leave, which I gracefully did. The press photo was snapped just as Alan put his hand on my shoulder to guide me away. At no point did I display the slightest degree of anger.

If anyone should be angry, it should be the taxpayers, who have just seen their family incomes further eroded by an addition one-billion dollars in state spending. If that's not an attack on liberties, I don't know what is.

Rep. Roger Koopman

R-Bozeman

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