Be informed about 'clean’ alternatives
The subject of alternative energy has recently been getting a lot of attention. It’s encouraging that statewide and national media, as well as presidential candidates, are focusing on large-scale biofuel, solar and wind projects. Interestingly, coal and nuclear power have joined the list of alternatives, prefixed, of course, with the word “clean” to make them seem more palatable. It is challenging to keep all the facts straight.
I was excited to hear on a recent radio commentary that the Alternative Energy Resources Organization has arranged with other groups to bring author Richard Heinberg to Missoula for a presentation on the limits of coal at 8 p.m. Thursday in Room 352 of the University of Montana Social Sciences Building. Heinberg will also be the keynote speaker at AERO’s annual meeting, open to the public, on Nov. 1 on Flathead Lake. Both of these talks are an amazing opportunity.
Conservation, energy efficiency and locally owned renewable energy production, in that order, are the cheapest and cleanest ways to move us out of the energy crunch, economic nose dive and climate catastrophe that embroil us. Becoming more informed is a good place to start.
Judith Fraser, Hamilton
Obama’s gun record tells truth
Ray Schoenke, president of the American Hunters and Shooters Association, says we don’t need to be afraid of Barack Obama’s claim to protect the Second Amendment. His actions and rhetoric tell all.
If you bother to look at Obama’s record in the Illinois Senate and U.S. Senate you will see the truth. (But most Democrat backers are not interested in the truth).
In 2003, on Illinois Senate Bill 397, Obama voted to ban almost all rifle ammunition.
Obama also supports the current Senate bill sponsored by Joe Biden that will outlaw almost 200 models of rifles, shotguns and handguns.
He is also against any right to carry for self-defense and protection.
The list of Obama and Biden’s anti-Second Amendment attacks is almost endless.
So remember, a vote for Obama is a vote to eliminate your right to keep and bear arms. Which means hunting, sport shooting and self-defense/protection.
Look up his record at www.gunbanobama.com.
Dennis Sain, Missoula
Obama will bring Soviet-style schooling
Barack Obama wants to bring change to America - total change. Most people don’t have a clue what that means. At the very least, it means socialism.
He said in the Oct. 15 debate with Sen. John McCain that we (his government) need to be sure that “children are ready for school.” Sounds like the days of the Soviet Union when preschoolers were brought up by the state and what is still done in communist countries and some Middle Eastern countries. Don’t let 5-year-olds stay home and play; teach them social reform, injustice and, oh yes, don’t forget to teach them about their body parts.
William Ayers was hired by Chicago public schools to train teachers, distribute monies to so-called school reform projects, social justice-themed schools and schools organized by ACORN. As chairman of the board of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, Obama distributed large sums of money to the various efforts. Hoping for revolution to bring down our way of life, Ayers teaches resistance and rebellion in America’s future teachers. As a college professor, Ayers assigns political indoctrination readings of his favorite communist tyrannies. Recently, Ayers was appointed vice president in charge of curriculum of the American Education Research Association, the largest organization of professors and researchers.
If Obama is elected in November, his brand of change will extend from preschool right up through the public school system. Please reference the Oct. 16 Wall Street Journal’s opinion page article on A15, “Ayers is no education reformer.” We’ve been told Ayers is just a guy in the neighborhood. Yes, so is Louis Farrakhan. Birds of a feather? What you don’t know can hurt you and your children.
Tim Gaertner, Missoula
Obama no defender of children
What happens when you tell an Obama campaigner you would not vote for a man who voted to allow babies to die in hospital closets on four different occasions? They find a way to get the Secret Service to show up at your door. Check out www.lifenews.com. Yes, this election is about life or death.
Why was everyone so surprised at how well Sarah Palin did in the vice presidential debate? Because the media portrayed her as one who knew nothing. She took Joe Biden to task; Biden didn’t even have the right article of the constitution for the vice presidency. Biden, a 36-year veteran, doesn’t even know the Constitution; change all right - no more Constitution.
Let’s look at two who support Obama: Planned Parenthood and Larry Flint. What do these two supporters have in common? They have, in a very sick and disturbing way, tried to destroy the Palin family. Planned Parenthood started a drive in which they accepted donations for abortions in the name of Sarah Palin, and Flint is making a pornographic movie depicting Gov. Sarah Palin. Why would one cast a vote for them? Why is Obama’s ACORN involved with voter fraud? Because we have been killing American citizens since 1973. Think how many more Democrats would exist today if abortion were illegal.
What did Obama say would be the first thing he will do if elected president? He will sign the Freedom of Choice Act. It will require taxpayer funding of abortion and will invalidate parental notification laws. This, in essence, will completely destroy parents’ rights and their relationships with their children. Remember one thing when you vote: Obama has made it known he will not defend the life of his very own grandchildren, so why would he defend your life?
John Farrier, Kalispell
Respect my rights, sign thieves
I arrived home this evening with a yard sign to plant for Carol Williams. She is running for the state Senate as an advocate for Montanans with a proven, honest, caring, intelligent and dedicated history of service to this state.
Quel surprise! The sign in my yard for Obama was gone. Hmm. (How curious you, the thief/thieves, left the wire base and just stole the sign. Are you unaware of the value of metal these days?)
What are you be afraid of - democracy? Personal expression? Difference of opinion? Or are you just a poop butt?
Adults can agree to disagree. Stay out of my yard, off my property. I may not share your opinions, but I respect your right to yours. Grow up and return that respect. There is too much adversarial behavior exhibited toward one another in this country. We are not each other’s enemy - this is our mutual gig. We are in it together. We all need each other to make this incredible country work. That mutual respect and willingness is how we will prevail.
Sherri Lee, Missoula
Polson library a public treasure
I am writing in support of the Polson Public Library’s mill levy and library district ballot measure.
No, I don’t live in Polson. But I have worked with the Polson library board and with Marilyn Trosper, the library director, and I know how hard they work to provide quality library services for the Polson area. And I love libraries.
This is not an auspicious time for a mill levy to be on the ballot. In such uncertain economic times, why should you vote to increase your taxes to support your library?
1. Do you believe in democracy? Public libraries are democracy in action. Everyone has access to library resources no matter what one’s income, social status or age.
2. Using your library will save you money. Instead of buying, check out books, DVDs, CDs, magazines and use the Internet. Take the family to the library instead of a movie.
3. What other investment guarantees such a fantastic return? On a $200,000 home, the taxes for the library mill levy will be approximately $40, or about $3.25 a month. In addition to all the materials available at the Polson library, for your investment of $3.25 a month you will get free programs for the whole family; a safe place for children and teens; a quiet reading or working space; a community center; large-print books and magnifiers; access to materials in libraries around the world; access from your home computer to the newest books, movies, music, television show DVDs and magazines from 13 Montana libraries (including Missoula) delivered to Polson; and much more.
Libraries are public treasures. But running a library costs money, just like running our homes or businesses does. Cast your vote for your own public treasure - the Polson Public Library - that will provide even better service as the North Lake County Public Library District.
Christine Prescott, trustee, Missoula Public Library, Missoula
Obama will help create strong future
Montana voters who have not yet decided who they will support for president no doubt are those who count allegiance to country above loyalty to a political party, who think and act independently, who carefully consider the impact of potential election outcomes, and who can weigh the merits of various points of view.
If this describes you, your thoughtful approach to the precious right of voting is to be commended. As you make your decision, please consider voting for the candidate who also thoughtfully weighs the merits of various points of view, who understands that the subtleties of diplomacy ought to outweigh actions that may be seen worldwide as bullying, and who knows that strength comes from the goodness of people in conversation with each other about peace and human rights and not just from military action. Consider voting for the one who can envision a forward-oriented nation, who challenges us to new ways of thinking and who is courageous enough to venture ahead while not forgetting the values upon which this nation continues to build itself.
Barack Obama is a man for these challenging times. He is intelligent, inspiring, steeped in the American values dear to us all, able to inspire numerous young people who have committed to join us in building a strong future, and patriotic enough to identify what needs to be changed in this country while also building upon its enormous strengths. This country would be fortunate to have as its leader a man who can bring people together because of his diverse and rich background and world view, his commitment to public service and experience that has always been focused on making change at both the grass-roots and policy levels. He has my support.
Cindy Garthwait, Missoula
Country wasn’t built on redistribution
“I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody,” Obama said. That sounds all well and good when it is someone else’s money you’re talking about.
It’s like looking across the street and seeing that my neighbors seem to be doing pretty well. They have a roof over their heads, 2.5 children and two cars in the driveway. They pay their bills every month and still have money to go out for dinner once in a while and give to the church or charity of their choice. So, since they have hit “life’s lottery” by working hard, paying their taxes, playing by the rules and applying their ingenuity and hard work at the office day after day to earn a paycheck, sock a little away for retirement and provide for their families’ needs, this entitles their government to take more of their hard-earned money and “redistribute” it as it sees fit.
This is the greatest, most free country on the face of the earth. This is where the American Dream was first hatched. Not by greed, government largess or redistribution of wealth. Our founders were wise beyond their years; they gave us a land of opportunity and a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
The progress of mankind throughout history has been built upon the foundation of people who have had the vision, intellect and work ethic to succeed. It is the free-enterprise system that prompts people to work hard, invent new products and technologies, invest in and create jobs for the future. The end result is that everyone is better off. This “Great American Experiment” provides the framework for a healthy, thriving economy and an environment that encourages excellence and helps prepare the next generation to follow in its footsteps.
Larry R. Plant, Missoula
VP has powerful role in Senate
Your lengthy Associated Press article (Sept. 28) on the vice presidency said that the sole duty of the office was to “step in if the president is disabled, incapacitated or dead.” That statement is wrong.
As one would have hoped the reporter learned in high school, the Constitution provides that the vice president serves as president of the U.S. Senate. In other words, the Founders never intended the veep to be a “junior assistant president.” His is principally a legislative, not an executive, office. The job was modeled partly after the lord chancellor of England, who served as presiding officer of the House of Lords, the British upper house.
As president of the Senate, the vice president can wield significant power. The Senate is charged not only with legislation, but with some share in the executive and judicial authority as well. And the presiding officer can influence events in the Senate greatly, if he applies himself. Moreover, the vice president is freer than most to make unpopular rulings from the chair, for unlike the House, the Senate has no power to remove its presiding officer (absent prior impeachment). Finally, the vice president has a vote in the Senate when the vote most matters - i.e., when the body is tied.
Vice presidents often have been former candidates for president who lost the race for the top job. Also, many of them hope to run for president in the future. So it is understandable that many of them have disparaged what they ended up with, because, of course, the vice presidency is nowhere near as powerful as the presidency. Their complaints have encouraged a long history of vice president jokes.
But if the vice president chooses to exercise his power diligently, he can rank among the top leaders of the legislative branch, rivaled only by the speaker of the House.
Rob Natelson, professor of Law and David Mason scholar,
University of Montana, Missoula
Politicians aren’t conserving
Just returned from spending several weeks in the Washington, D.C.-northern Virginia area and saw how hypocritical our politicians are.
They want you to conserve energy but not them. I see more hybrids on one trip to downtown Missoula than I saw in three weeks in the Washington, D.C., area. What I did see were midsize and large SUVs, midsize and large pickup trucks, top-of-the-line cars and old, energy-inefficient cars (anyone who has been to East Los Angeles can relate). Likewise, whether in the city, town or countryside, I never saw anyone on a bike over age 15. So, you think they have your best interest in mind? Think again.
Likewise, it is reported in the media that Democratic northern Virginia will offset Republican down-state and western Virginia. Maybe so. But the McCain lawn signs in northern Virginia outnumber the Obama lawn signs almost 8-to-1. Just an observation.
Joseph Vinso, Missoula
HD94 candidate Frey will protect rights
I strongly believe that it is time to elect someone who will truly represent the citizens of House District 94.
I am supporting Linda Frey because she will defend our constitutional rights. She will protect our Second Amendment right to bear arms; she was endorsed by the National Rifle Association while her opponent received an F. She believes in property rights, whereas her opponent does not believe property owners should be compensated “when the public and elected representatives of the public (government) deems policies or actions in the peoples’ best interests” - a position that violates both the U.S. and Montana constitutions. She will defend the right to protest unfair taxes, as she did in the Hillview special improvement district proposal. Lastly, Frey opposes the establishment of a statewide drug registry as a violation of our privacy and an infringement on doctor-patient confidentiality, while her opponent supports such a registry.
It is time for a change and time to support Frey.
Dick Haines, former state representative
and current Ward 5 city councilman,
Missoula
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