Go online and see how thin Obama’s resume is
I was curious as to Obama’s qualifications, so I went out to the web - Google - and saw his resume. I would urge you to do the same.
He spent four years as a community organizer and then he spent 11 years teaching constitutional law. Of those 11 years he also was an associate attorney for a Chicago law firm. He was elected to the U.S. Senate and had all of 193 days of experience there when he announced his candidacy for the presidency. Wow - that is an impressive record. Most of my friends have more experience than that.
Charley Brekjern, Missoula
Calling Roy Brown a vegetarian goes too far
This time the mud-slinging has gone too far.
It’s one thing for operatives of one party to insinuate that a candidate from another party cannot be trusted because he has a foreign-sounding name, or that he “pals around with terrorists.”
But when an operative goes so far as to suggest a candidate from another party just might be a vegetarian - well, that is beyond the pale!
Roy Brown can deny it all he wants (“I am not now nor have I ever been a [member of the] Vegetarian [Party].” But once a bell is rung, it cannot be un-rung. Just ask the citizens who were “grilled” by Sen. Joseph McCarthy in 1953 and 1954.
Have you no sense of decency, Democrats?
Chris Barns, Lolo
Jeanne Windham has political and business experience
Writing as a 15-year resident and landowner in Lake County, there is only one person qualified to represent us as county commissioner, and that person is Jeanne Windham.
Jeanne has lived in, worked and paid taxes in Lake County for 17 years and, as a small business owner for more than 25 years, has both a personal and professional interest in doing what’s best for all residents of Lake County. As a former Montana state representative, she is already experienced with political ways and means and hence will be an effective commissioner from her first day in office. As the Lake County population continues to grow, with increasing numbers of people from other states seeking refuge in our part of the state, Jeanne is the only candidate with the experience and commitment to local government accountability and responsible land-use planning: balancing the good of all while maintaining individual land owners’ rights.
No matter what one’s party affiliation, if any, Jeanne Windham is the only choice for those of us looking to live in a Lake County that will be a safe, prosperous place to raise our families amid the growing instability of the rest of the country.
Vote for Jeanne Windham on Nov. 4!
Paula Chait, Arlee
Ravalli County voters, consider sensible growth
Predictions that record number of people who will vote this year indicate deep concern about the issues facing our citizens.
Here in Ravalli County, protection of our valley’s water and air quality and public safety, are critical concerns to all. Many good people have worked together in recent years to frame a policy statement for the protection of these resources. They then voted by a 2-to-1 margin to make our growth policy official. Now, some who oppose reasonable land use planning would attack this statement of community values as a way of avoiding any and all planning for our valley’s future development. It is my hope that those same good people who crafted our growth policy will “rescue” it from this threat by voting against its repeal on Nov. 4.
One further step to protect the Bitterroot Valley from haphazard overdevelopment would be to elect county commissioners with the experience and capability to further these values. We are indeed fortunate to have two such candidates. One is John Meakin of Stevensville. He has an advanced degree in public administration, with experience as city council member, mayor and planning commissioner.
The other candidate is Roger DeHaan of Victor. Roger is a sanitary/civil engineer in water supply and sewage treatment, with 10 years experience on the county health board, and 28 years in business as a mediator and problem solver. These two men show promise of working with other county commissioners to preserve our valley’s treasured resources while planning for sensible, sustainable growth. They, and our county, deserve your consideration as you cast your ballot on Nov. 4.
John A. Carbin, Stevensville
Democrats hiding their anti-gun agenda
Since Al Gore lost the 2000 election, Democrats have worked hard at hiding their anti-Second Amendment agenda. This election year is no exception.
The Obama ad on the radio by Ray Schoenke, the president of the American Hunters and Shooters Association, is just another example of Democrats trying to fool the voters into believing they support our right to own guns. In this ad, Schoenke claims that both McCain and Obama will both protect our Second Amendment rights.
I have been involved with gun control issues for nearly 20 years and I had never heard about the American Hunters and Shooters Association. Therefore, I went to the Internet and checked into the organization.
AHSA was created with the specific intent to provide political cover for anti-gun politicians by allowing them to claim support from a “sportsmen’s” group. In truth, the anti-gun credentials of AHSA’s leadership is well-documented. For instance, AHSA president, Ray Schoenke, has a long history of giving political donations to some of the most anti-gun politicians, including Al Gore, John Kerry, Barbara Boxer, Bill Clinton, Dianne Feinstein and Ted Kennedy. In 2000, Schoenke donated $5,000 to Handgun Control, Inc. (now the Brady Campaign) and the Ray and Holly Schoenke Foundation also made donations to the Brady Campaign. AHSA board member John Rosenthal remains the leader of Stop Handgun Violence, the Massachusetts anti-gun group. And one of the leading organizers of AHSA is Bob Bicker, who has been a paid expert witness against gun manufacturers in a number of reckless lawsuits.
Therefore, if Schoenke actually believes that Barack Obama will protect our Second Amendment rights he has had his bell rung one too many times playing football.
Allen E. Barr, Stevensville
This Democrat is voting for Republican Grimes
I was elected as a Democrat in Missoula to be one of the eight county delegates to write the 1972 Montana Constitution. I served on the Bill of Rights Committee and since then I have testified before many legislative committees on whether proposed legislation could be in conflict with our constitutional rights.
During that time I have observed Duane Grimes serving 14 years in the Montana Legislature both in the House and Senate. When he was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee I found him to be honest and willing to cross party lines to protect and defend the Montana constitutional rights that protects us all.
That is why I am voting for Duane Grimes for State Auditor, even if he is a Republican.
Bob Campbell, Missoula
Don’t just complain about change, get out and vote
Please let me begin by declaring my love of my country, my state and my fellow men and women.
The 2008 elections have captured my interest far more that any of the past election years. I look forward to casting my ballot this year and hope that many of my fellow Montanans will do the same. I truly believe that our votes count, and I encourage all of my family and friends to go to the polls to enforce their beliefs - whatever they may be. Voting apathy simply cannot be tolerated any longer. And I wish for the citizens of my hometown to really take this to heart.
If you really want change, get off your duff and utilize your right to vote.
My last, but not least, concern is the millions of dollars that our current presidential candidates have been able to raise. So many millions, it is beyond my comprehension. It makes me sick to my stomach to think that a candidate can come up with over $50 million in one month’s time, yet can’t figure out how to provide affordable medical care, aid to food banks, or take our Social Security out of the general fund.
I am sure that it is expensive to run a presidential campaign but, if they are so truly concerned about the economic situation of the American people, why on earth haven’t they directed some of their hard-earned cash towards programs that would help the working man in a more direct manner? I feel sure that they would still have enough cash left over to run their TV ads, mailer slicks, travel expenses and other “necessities.” Give me a break!
Christine Thompson, Florence
You know where John McCain stands
Please consider one more factor before you vote:
Barack Obama worked as a community organizer in Chicago and taught community organization principles there and in other cities and states. Community organization is not well understood in the rural West. I urge you to read “Rules for Power” by Saul Alinsky, the father of community organization, on the Web at www.semcosh.org. lt gives valuable insight into Barack Obama, his campaign message and his methods.
I am a registered Independent who usually votes for Democrats. I have researched issues, candidates and proposed remedies much more this year than ever before. Alinsky’s “Rules” cleared up many questions.
My conclusion: John McCain is a man of integrity, committed to serving his country. He is clear and open about himself, what he believes and what he proposes to do. He is not so set in his ways that he can’t listen or compromise. Love him or hate him, you know where he stands. He challenges Sen. Obama to explain himself and his positions, trusting voters to make their own choice. He fights hard and openly for what he believes. What you see is what you get.
Barack Obama is also a man of strong beliefs and deep commitment, but his style is much different. He believes he knows what is best for us, but doesn’t trust us to recognize it ourselves. He orates about bringing everyone together and fighting fear, then works to divide us and intensify our fear so he can ride to our rescue. He works on the premise that the end justifies the means. He continually deflects questions about himself and his proposals. He works to block John McCain from explaining himself and his proposals.
With Obama we can’t be sure what we see, much less what we may get.
dy Rominger, Havre
Palin unprepared and incites hate at rallies
When McCain chose Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate, it was a brilliant short-term political tactic that caused his position in the polls to soar. It was also an impulsive, reckless decision based upon personal political gain without the best interests of the country at heart.
McCain has had four surgeries for melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of cancer, and he is 72 years old. It’s clear Palin is not prepared to step in at a moments notice and serve as president. McCain put his campaign before his country. To paraphrase what Dave Letterman said, you really have to wonder if someone put something in his Metamucil.
Throughout the campaign, Palin has stirred up animosity verging on hatred at political rallies, slinging ridiculous accusations at Obama that were clearly just a diversion to avoid the real issues. When one man was incited to rage and shouted out “kill him!” Palin ignored his comment and continued her diatribe. In times like these, when there are wars and threats of wars around the globe, when nuclear arms are falling into the hands of insane despots, do we want a person who incites others into aggression, or one who calms, reasons and steadies?
When Palin “debated” Joe Biden, she cutely remarked that she did not intend to follow the rules. Time after time she didn’t respond to the question and just ran off about something entirely different. Is this what they mean by “maverick?”
Palin has been protected from the press for fear of what will come out of her mouth. In the one interview she did consent to do, she said her international experience was being a neighbor to Russia. As someone else remarked, “If you can see the moon from your porch does that make you qualified to be an astronaut?”
Beverly Hennager, Corvallis
Both Baucus and Rehberg should be voted out
Tuesday, Nov. 4, presents every registered voter in Montana with the obligation of removing two failed leaders from Congress.
Max Baucus has served five terms in the Senate; Denny Rehberg has served four terms in the House. These men were in office during the maturation of our financial crisis and we must not re-elect them. The only method of removing Sen. Baucus (Democrat) and Rep. Rehberg (Republican) is the casting of our votes for their most formidable opponents, ie. Bob Kelleher (Republican) and John Driscoll (Democrat).
This is not a matter of party loyalty, racial prejudice, gender bias or religious preference. No! This is the prudent removal of two failed leaders and a clear message to all politicians that our tolerance of incompetence is exhausted.
John Jennings, Huson
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