Focus on Family edict shows disconnect
I would like to express my gratitude to Focus on the Family’s Stuart Shepard for urging his flock to pray for “torrential rain” over Invesco Field during Barack Obama’s historic acceptance speech in Denver.
God’s answer makes perfectly clear, as nothing else could, that He is increasingly embarrassed to be a Republican. After supporting them through Iran/Contra, Dan Quayle and finally wiretapping, torture and a bogus war, God is fed up.
To those for whom the word “liberal” conjures visions of Mephistopheles, fear not, for God does not concur. As we all know, the Demon of Darkness bears an uncanny resemblance to Osama bin Laden. John McCain promises to “follow bin Laden to the gates of hell” but won’t go after him in Pakistan.
Wanda LaCroix, Arlee
Thieves only steel our resolve for McCain
I awoke this morning, after hearing Sen. Barack Obama accepting his party’s nomination last night, to find our 3-by-5 foot banner and two yard signs that proclaim our support for John McCain had been stolen. The thief or thieves had enough enthusiasm for their deed to come onto our lighted porch and remove the banner from our house. Thankfully, they did not remove our American flag also. I have also had a McCain yard sign torn down at my place of business.
While I do not blame the supporters of Sen. Obama, I do suspect them. This type of activity has no place in our democratic society. I may not agree with Obama and his supporters, but I do respect their right to express themselves. John McCain and I have served our country to help preserve these rights. Evidently, these thieves don’t believe that we have the same rights.
We will replace our McCain banner and yard signs with larger ones. Stealing our signs only adds to our resolve to support and contribute to John McCain’s campaign.
Ken Clizbe, Missoula
Obama is threat to Montana gun owners
A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision came down 5-4 in favor of our Second Amendment rights. That is razor thin. The judges that made up the four against are the kind that Barack Obama said he would nominate for justice positions if he were president. Gov. Schweitzer’s claim that Montanans have nothing to fear from Obama regards gun ownership and use is just plain false. Gov. Schweitzer’s backing of Obama is a given.
Barack Obama has a smooth tongue and is given to much rhetoric. But it isn’t just what he says that you need to know but what he does and how he votes; what he does matters more than what he says in a campaign speech. From his beginnings in the Illinois State Legislature to his two years in the U.S. Senate, he consistently votes anti-gun. Hence his F grade by gun advocates.
Of his many anti-gun positions taken was having served on the board of directors of the Joyce Foundation, perhaps one of the largest donors of money to anti-gun groups. Obama is most definitely a threat to Montana sportsmen and gun owners if he gets to the White House and has a liberal Democratic Congress to work with.
The liberals view the U.S. Constitution as a living document. Something living had a beginning, a birth, a span of life and then death. A little here and a little there.
Tim Gaertner, Missoula
McCain living the American dream
In reply to Ron Osborn’s letter to the editor, “Obama cares for all Americans,” I want to make several statements.
Barack Obama has two children that he sends to a private school, yet he is against vouchers for those of us who are not rich enough to send our children to a private school when their public school is failing. We begged, pleaded and fought for our children, who were diagnosed with ADD. We were told as long as we reach 90 percent of the children, that is all we can do. All others fall through the cracks!
Obama’s plan to raise taxes on those who make $250,000 will decimate small business owners, who make in the lower one-hundred-thousands. Much of the economy in Montana is made up of small business owners who hire a number of Montanans. What will happen to them?
John McCain married well. Cindy McCain’s father invested $10,000 in a beer distributing business which was very successful and made his family rich. Is this not the American Dream? Many of their houses are held in trust for their children’s future. Did you happen to see the aerial photo of Sen. Biden’s house? It must have at least 20 to 30 rooms, and they say he is the poorest senator in Congress!
Sen. Obama’s house was purchased at $300,000 below the market value, now valued at $1.3 million. This deal was in conjunction with Rezko’s purchase of the property next door, which he later sold a portion of to Obama. Rezko is now a convicted felon. Rezko profited to the tune of $14 million of taxpayer money through the political influence of Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton pointed this out in a primary debate. To quote George Will, “Obama’s promises are straight out of a fairy tale.” This year’s campaign is soggy with environmental messianism, deranged self-importance and delusional economics. “Where is the derisive laughter?”
Phyllis Thompson, Missoula
Cite riding scofflaws for all our safety
With all the hoopla about bicycling in the Missoula area, how come I never see a bicycle pulled over for not obeying the traffic laws and/or not using the bicycle lanes they have so vehemently argued for?
I ride a bike to town from East Missoula regularly. I use the 5-foot-wide path that extends from East Missoula all the way to town, which is paved, just like the highway. Yet, I constantly see people riding on the left side of the fog line in traffic, and riding side by side, with one rider in traffic, when there is PLENTY of room on the path made for them to use.
I guess bouncing off the hood of a truck seems more appealing than riding in a designated path out of the direct line of traffic. I also witnessed a vehicle turning right, when a bicycle approached from the rear and was cut off by the driver. The driver was then pulled over by a police.
If the bicyclists are supposed to obey the same laws as the drivers, why wasn’t the bicyclist pulled over and ticketed for trying to pass on the wrong side when there was a lane of traffic going straight, as he was trying to do? Apparently we, as drivers, are now supposed to yield to bikes approaching from the rear.
I recall an article in the Missoulian a while back that said the bicycles are supposed to be in the lane they would use if they are in a car to navigate any intersection. Missoula has made great strides to make the city more navigable for bicyclists. I thoroughly enjoy the trails along the riverfront and throughout town.
I know most cyclists obey the laws, but I wish those “elitists” who think they own the road on a bicycle, would use what is given to them, when provided, and give a little thought to the outcome, right or wrong, of the bicycle vs. car, truck, van, semi, even motorcycle confrontation.
Shawn Wells, East Missoula
Helena forest being mismanaged
After a pleasant visit to Helena, I can tell you that I am disappointed in the Helena National Forest supervisor and the Northern Region regional forester. The mountains surrounding Helena are in the middle of a mountain pine beetle epidemic, yet in three days I did not see one logging truck on the highways - nor did I see one new harvest unit in the distance. The epidemic appears to have been in progress about three years and I’m not sure that the Helena Forest has even decided to take the epidemic seriously or start NEPA work. The Forest Service is not “Caring for the Land” and appears to be only serving preservationists. National forests are not a national park and not a zoo, yet that seems to be the current level of management.
The Helena National Forest is in dire need of active forest management and the regional forester should take corrective action to see that it happens.
Larry Coryell, Troy
Time to follow the example set by VA
In this, “the richest nation on earth,” we must make the privilege of health care available to all. How will we do this in a way that we know is successful and we can support? Actually, we are lucky. We already have the infrastructure for it. The VA provides medical care for all veterans. It already works in a way that takes into account whether they are/were active military and how much income they make (i.e., veterans who have assets of a Bill Gates don’t receive the same benefits as a homeless vet). Given this, it ‘only’ means we need to extend VA medical care to every citizen.
Larry Stahl, Missoula
This town knows how to party on
Missoula - you make me proud! Thank you for supporting the third annual River City Roots Festival! It was definitely one to remember.
When the power went out at 7 p.m. Saturday night, Great American Taxi was just four songs into their 90-minute set. City police and fire, as well as NorthWestern Energy, responded quickly and worked hard to maintain the public’s safety. Meanwhile, Vince Herman and his band jumped down into the street and played acoustically for a long time.
It took us nearly three hours to track down a 200-amp generator (Thank you, Intermountain Diesel!) and get the stage powered back up. Sound technician Jay Straw and his staff performed some magic, and Sgt. Mark Horner and city officials allowed us to play late. Emmitt-Nershi was able to play their entire set.
What made me so happy and proud was the way our guests stayed, played and behaved. They were kind, compassionate and patient. I think people were happy to play in the streets despite the lack of music, and folks were happy to eat, drink and be merry.
We were fortunate to have nearly 50 Missoula businesses support the event with cash contributions and in-kind services, and we had nearly 250 volunteers staff the event. Generosity is alive and well in our community!
With great leadership and significant commitment and volunteerism from the Missoula Downtown Association Board of Directors, as well as amazing MDA staff members (Julie, Deidre, Susie and Jennifer), we were able to bring another outstanding event to the heart of Missoula.
I am proud to be associated with such an amazing group of passionate individuals and community-minded businesses who care so deeply about our city! It’s extremely fulfilling to be a servant for our community.
Hats off to all businesses and individuals who helped us produce the Roots Fest this year. It was certainly one to remember!
Linda K. McCarthy, Executive director, Missoula Downtown Association
Give me a Double Front man any day
I read in the paper about the opening of Hooters (Entertainer, Aug. 21) and they said something about Double Front Chicken being served by a young man with 5 o’clock shadow.
I don’t know about he rest of you girls, but I don’t want to go look at girls.
But wow, that 5 o’clock shadow that served me my D.F. Chicken, was worth looking at. Go check him out girls.
Angelene Miller, Deer Lodge
Price fixing is unfair, anti-consumer
The Aug. 25 Missoulian story about Washington milk got my attention. I find it ridiculous that we are supposed to pay higher prices for goods such as milk just to protect certain industries. I also find it hard to believe that Steve Merritt could say with a straight face that they are just looking out for the consumer by seeing that they get the best quality product.
If you believe that, I have some oceanfront property out my back door for sale. What he really meant to say is that he is just making sure that Montana producers get the most profit they can by eliminating competition. If it is possible that Washington milk can be processed, packaged, shipped and delivered for a lower cost to the consumer than that of Montana milk, Montana producers are making a handsome profit at our expense.
Apparently, the Montana Department of Livestock has influenced politicians to pass laws protecting Montana dairy producers and ensuring they can charge higher than market prices if the! y see fit. This is protectionism at its finest. Screw the consumer struggling to pay higher costs of living, protect those who give us a nice contribution come election time. I have no problem supporting local business as long as they can supply a quality product at a fair price, but when I can buy milk produced in Washington for 20 to 25 percent less and of the same quality, I will do so and no government shill should be able to tell me otherwise.
It is time to send a message to our elected officials. They are supposed to be looking out for, we the people not big business.
Chad Krahn, Lewistown
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