Focus on U.S., not Third World countries
Debt cancellations are a good thing. Many countries are impoverished and most are run by their greed, for their own gain and power. As an American citizen, born and bred here in this great country we call the USA, I’m glad we can assist other countries. Why, when our own go hungry? Social Security is falling apart right before our eyes.Are our debts ever cancelled? Has the government cancelled any debts regarding this mortgage slump that has struck us right between the eyes? We need to focus on ourselves. New Orleans has not even been cleaned up. Cities all across America need drastic measures to clean them up. Our schools go on without books and computers or necessary equipment just to play sports. Teachers have to buy supplies and any extra tools they may need. I think that is intolerable. Teachers do not earn enough money to do all that’s required to teach a class.
It’s about time we give other countries a lesson in “tough love.” That’s what we are told to do when kids go wrong. Show them some tough love. If these countries do not have the money to repay the loans, do not lend. There comes a time when lending has to stop. Take care of us first. Charity begins at home.
We do this all the time. It’s time the people take back our country.
Trudie White, Missoula
Facility is working to be more inclusive
In response to the spate of recent letters to the editor addressing turmoil at the Missoula Senior Center, the public should be reassured that there are at least as many members who are in favor of the direction the board of directors and I have pursued since I arrived at the center in October, 2007.One of the changes we have been striving to implement is to operate the center in accordance with our bylaws, one of which stipulates that decisions at the center are made by committees composed of members. But, for some, even this is seen as a controversial change. It has always been our goal to accommodate all members of the center.
Meanwhile, our bylaws stipulate that one of the purposes of the center is “to attract the largest number of older persons to participate in the activities and benefits of the center.” It has been disappointing that a group of individuals has been so unwilling to share such a tremendous resource with the rest of the community.
We understand how some members may struggle with change and, as always, encourage those members to work with their peers toward finding solutions.
Randal Wolfe, Executive Director, Missoula Senior Center, Missoula
Have workers target unleashed dogs
A couple of years ago I observed a neighbor’s dog running down the street at full tilt with Animal Control in hot pursuit.The dog made it to the fence of his backyard and dove to safety. Also watching this spectacular feat was an old German shorthair in the next yard. Not willing to leave the scene without a prize, our Animal Control officer coaxed the old shorthair out of his resting place and promptly arrested him for his obvious lack of required attire (leash). He wasn’t out of the truck for more than two minutes.
There are two reasons I’m telling this story now, long after Mr. Shorthair has passed. I read an article about the cost of energy and its effects on our city budget (Missoulian, May 29) that prompted yet another memory of a recent conversation I had with a person from Animal Control.
I had called to inquire as to why nothing was ever done to enforce the leash laws in place on local trails, my thought being that the officers could get their daily infraction quotas and some exercise at the same time. I was informed that “my people don’t have time for that” but if I could get a picture and a name they would be happy to pursue the leads. (I need to make it clear here that I spoke to a person that I now know is not in charge of this department).
As walking the trails or biking seem to be out of the question, how about they park at the head of trails and wait? They could still get their quota, wouldn’t have to be out of the truck for more than a couple of minutes at a time, and save some gas, thus helping the city stay within budget.
Brian MacDonald, Missoula
Be considerate to others on the trail
Being a responsible, in-town dog owner requires one to think with three levels of respect in mind.First, respect your dog and get it outside. Being a dog owner and runner, I know that many Missoulians are successful at this level of thought.
Second, respect the other people and dogs attempting to do the same thing. I don’t want to be stopped in the middle of my run or walk because an unleashed dog aggressively approaches my pet. This is my time to be with my best friend after a long day and find some peace. Unfortunately, more often than not, I am distracted from this retreat by a growling dog running up to my dog’s face. This action is usually accompanied by an, “It’s OK, she (or he) is friendly.” I am writing this letter to let you know that it’s not OK. My dog is tired of it and so am I.
Third, respect Mother Nature. As I’ve stated previously, I’m a runner. I see all the dog crap around town; it’s disgusting. If your dog was on a leash you would know when it was going to the bathroom and you could use one of the dog bags - provided free-of-cost throughout town - and clean up after your pet.
We live in a beautiful community in which you are not the only member. I am asking you to please think of the other people and dogs who call Missoula home.
Michael Straw, Missoula
White-dominated state ignored holiday
Once again white American states and cities have ignored the celebration of Juneteenth.You will not find any information about Juneteenth readily available at the Missoula or many other Montana libraries.
The ignorance to diverse cultures in Montana is a sad statement to a state that was once rich with Native American, black and other cultures. Black newspapers in Montana included:
• Helena Colored Citizens (Sept. 3, 1894 through Nov. 5, 1894)
• Butte New Age (May 30, 1892 through Feb. 7, 1903)
• Helena Plaindealer (March 16, 1906 through Sept. 8, 1911)
Gov. Brian Schweitzer did not declare any type of recognition or celebration of Juneteenth. Neither have other Montana city, county, state or federal representatives. The predominantly white-run newspapers and media in Montana should be embarrassed by their lack of coverage of Juneteenth.
Montana businesses and the hospitality industry continue to bring in employees from other nations, refusing to reach out to the inner cities of the U.S. There is a clear of exclusion of African-Americans by white-owned and -run businesses.
Montana continues to be a state that has excluded minorities and with a long history of embarrassing treatment of Native Americans that continues to this day.
Donald Iarussi, Missoula
Poor campaign, not sexism, lost the race
For the life of me I do not understand where the sexism was in Sen. Hillary Clinton’s failure to get the Democratic nomination. Also, I am really bothered by the suggestion (allegation, really) that all of this supposed sexism was Barack Obama’s doing. The New York Democrat’s loss and the vote counts are legitimate and are the result of her own campaign failures.I am a woman who was supposed to be in Clinton’s demographic. I have to say that I was never a supporter. Her claims of more “experience” when she was in the White House as first lady and yet her disclaimers on her roles in things such as NAFTA bother me. Her claims about starting the health-care debate, which carried with it a good deal of clumsy mismanagement, too, which she also refuses to acknowledge.
I did some work for the Obama campaign after his appearance in Missoula. The thing that clinched my support of him was his statement at the rally that he will restore the Constitution; that he knows the Constitution and has taught it. He knows that it is not American to incarcerate people without charges for months and years. He knows that it is not American to spy on people, read their mail and listen in on their conversations without warrants. I heard nothing like that from either Clinton or John McCain. I am deeply worried that Bush’s power grab into the executive branch would not be given back if McCain is elected.
Finally, I have to say that whenever I was in the Obama campaign headquarters or on the phone with someone employed by the campaign locally or nationally, I never heard one negative comment about Clinton. In fact, several people who tried were reprimanded. That happened without exception.
Carolyn Walker, Missoula
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