BisonHunters want herd to survive, thrive
Kathleen Stachowski of Lolo, a Buffalo Field Campaign volunteer referred to 12-year-old Wes King's bison hunt as "child's play." I guess I can only speculate on what she was implying, but being with that young man and his family that day I can assure you they all showed nothing less than overwhelming respect and admiration for the game King was in pursuit of, and he most certainly understood the magnitude and seriousness of the opportunity he was blessed with.If the BFC would truly accept hunting as a management tool for the Yellowstone bison herd in the future, they really should be embracing this year's hunt instead of belittling the sportsmen (and women, and children) who are participating in it in an attempt to portray us as greedy, bloodthirsty, unethical slobs. Many of the bison hunters - including King and me - are truly passionate about assuring this herd is managed differently in the future than it has been and would like to see some of the same goals realized in years to come as the BFC. Hunters are conservationists too, and although this year's hunt is small, it is a big step in the right direction in the management of this herd.
One BFC volunteer, an enrolled tribal member from Washington, blessed the young man in a ceremony as he stood over the bison he had shot. I think he surprised his BFC companions when he said this was "A beautiful thing" and this hunt should continue in the future. Volunteers like him are what the BFC needs if it really does want Montana to adapt a different management plan for the Yellowstone herd.
ColumnistDoggone writer Moretti misses the mark
I don't have a dog but after reading Angie Moretti's mean-spirited diatribe about unleashed dogs (Missoulian, Dec. 15) I think I had rather face a barking, crotch-sniffing dog with dirty paws than run into Moretti.Barbara Palmer, Whitefish
Stray author should find new home
Could we maybe get a Missoulian to fill up the back page of the Entertainer section? Or at least someone who doesn't hate dogs and love cats so much?I think some know what I mean.
Chris Morigeau, Missoula
Foreign affairs`Cool cause' against Israel not based in fact
After reading David Werner's letter in the Missoulian Dec. 16, I just felt weary. I've lived here for 15 years now and have answered a number of letters harping on "what's in it for the United States" in regard to Israel. I won't repeat those responses again. Those who agree with me know the reasons, and I have finally learned that those who don't agree with me don't wish to learn facts that counter their bias.However, in regard to Iraq, specifically, it was Israel that ensured that when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1991 he did not have nuclear weapons. In 1981, Israel, at great risk, blew up the nuclear reactor that France was building in Iraq. Had they not done so, the first Gulf War would have been nuclear.
Anti-Israel rhetoric is the latest "cool cause" of the far left. What I would ask Werner is: Why is your focus so much on Israel? In the Mideast, Muslims in Sudan have killed hundreds of thousands of Christians in a genocide-like war, but the far left says nothing. Women in most of the Muslim world are virtual slaves, but the far left says nothing. Poverty, illiteracy and no healthcare affect over 90 percent of the people in these regions while their oil-rich rulers build more palaces, and the far left says nothing. Israel is to blame for everything wrong in the region.
Finally, Werner fails to understand the value of the fact that Israel is the only stable Western-style democracy in the Mideast. Unlike the Arab dictatorships and monarchies, The United States knows that it can land its planes in Israel as long as Israel exists. (Think Iran, 1979) The United States counts on Israel as much as Israel counts on the United States.
Alan Abrahamson, Stevensville
Mount JumboSlobs are violating wildlife turf
How sad to read that hikers, dog walkers and snowboarders are ignoring the Mount Jumbo closure and disturbing the elk herd. Why don't these slobs just go out and buy snowmobiles? After all, the latest study done in Yellowstone National Park shows that snowmobiles do not disturb wildlife.Steve Schombel, Missoula
PoliticsJudge Burns, candidates on service
Politics is a full-contact endeavor. People will say whatever they want in an attempt to get their candidates elected. Often this dialogue becomes mean-spirited and one-sided. This seems to be happening in Sen. Conrad Burns' campaign for re-election.My family, who operated a cattle ranch south of Roundup, knew Burns and his wife, Phyllis, when Burns worked as an auctioneer in Billings. People in Montana's first industry know Burns as a man of integrity and honesty. You don't last long in the cattle business if you don't have a strong ethical backbone. In the words of my late parents and ranch families across the state, "Phyllis and Conrad are good people."
Burns has brought this same ethical standard to his work in the U.S. Senate. He has gained the respect of both Democrats and Republicans and has earned a position on the powerful Appropriations Committee. This position, along with Sen. Max Baucus' position on the Finance Committee, benefits every sector of Montana economy - medical, highways, recreation, small business and education, to name a few. Our two senators bring thousands of jobs to our state because of their seniority and the respect they have earned. Montana can't afford to lose these positions in the U.S. Senate.
The people who question how willing Burns is to face a tough re-election campaign should know one fact. Burns served with honor in the Marine Corps. Marines have never been afraid of conflict and do not leave a battlefield until the job is finished.
This campaign should focus on Burns' positions on issues and what he can bring to the table in service to the people of Montana. Montanans: Let your voices be heard and stand up for what is right. The time for action is today.
George Bailey, Missoula
Native journalismKeep Rave columns, news stories coming
Thank you, Missoulian, for hiring Jodi Rave and publishing the many fine articles that she has written on Native American issues over this last year and a half or so. Rave has performed an invaluable public service by informing the uninformed and making the usually invisible (in the media) people visible.I also appreciate most (but not all) of the other stories that you have published on Native people and issues recently by your other reporters. I hope that you will continue to publish the work of more Native journalists and writers and provide Indian perspectives on the broad spectrum of current issues in American society, besides those issues that more directly concern Native Americans. I hope this trend grows into a tradition and becomes normal practice in American journalism.
George Price, Dixon
Lighting ordinanceNew rules are unnecessary, waste of time
I felt it necessary both from a citizen's and business owner's viewpoint to address the proposed lighting ordinance being considered by Missoula's City Council. Rarely has something so unneeded been given so much news space and attention.The notion given at the council hearing that lighting does not hinder crime is laughable. We are told "barking dogs" do a better job than lighting? Does this mean I should turn the lights off at my business and tie a dog up outside? Would this be within the often discussed leash law? People who live in downtown areas are complaining about bright lights? What do you expect when you live in a city?
Customers at my business and I appreciate all the lighting they can get when negotiating icy streets, sidewalks, etc. here in Missoula. It can be depressing enough making it through a dark, foggy winter here in Missoula. I just completed a long and arduous commercial building process here in Missoula and must say our Office of Planning and Grants is overburdened already with many complicated and vague regulations. I pray I won't have to go back now and retrofit my already approved exterior lights even though I'm in a commercially zoned district. These lights are expensive and the installation is even more expensive. The small energy savings will never be realized in my lifetime.
I love Missoula and have enjoyed living here for the past 25 years, but am increasingly frustrated by the lack of common sense often exhibited by our leaders. Maybe they've been in the dark to long.
John Herring, Missoula
School fundingState could sue schools for misuse of funds
It seems the more I talk to people about the current school funding crisis the more I hear people ask, is more money the only solution they have? Yet when you ask people if they have brought this up to someone in the system, there response is always the same that if schools don't get the money our kids won't get a quality education. Everyone knows that our kids need a quality education. But the only solution is always we need more money - tell me who or what organization does not. So what do they do next when they feel they do not have enough? Sue the state or the people who employ and support them.Maybe it is time for the state to sue the school administration for misuse of funds. Have they changed the system that has been used since creation? Everyone should look around at the facilities, buildings, equipment, transportation, assets, etc. that are owned and used by the schools for less than a half of a year. What business could afford to shut down use of its buildings, vehicles, equipment and employees for six months and still pay the bills? How many people should have two homes, sets of vehicles, furniture, appliances etc. one for 180 days and one for the rest of the year? The point is why isn't the administration doing anything to use all the capital assets, employees for the full year?
Bottom line is it is time to change the system, rotate students and use all the facilities year around that the people in Montana have invested in. They always say that everything is for the kids, but I question if it is for the kids or the teachers to have holiday breaks and the summer off.
Mark Huelskamp, Missoula
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