Burns needs to answer questions

Editor,

Senator Conrad Burns brought Virginia's Senator John Warner to Montana to rally for continuing support of the Iraq debacle. For the past three years Burns has avoided discussing the Iraq situation with his constituents and has deflected questions regarding why America went to war with Iraq, America's objectives in this conflict, how to measure success, and how long this war will persist.

Burns' hosting of Warner and his pandering for this unpopular war suggests political motives apart from America's best interests. I suspect his true motive is to distract attention from his close ties to the Jack Abramhoff scandal.

Montanans can decide the merits of misguided and mismanaged wars without interference from those with blood on their hands. Burns should direct his efforts towards explaining why Montanans should reelect a senator who sells his votes to whatever corporation, industry, or lobbyist has the biggest checkbook.

Burns has proven himself adept at talking like a good ol' boy hillbilly and keeping the ranchers happy. Meanwhile, he has betrayed the community of Libby by safeguarding the interests of W.R. Grace, working families by denying fair wages, and our military families by sending them into a hell-hole with no exit in sight. If America really believes in itself then we should have faith in our core values. This includes voting scoundrels from office when the stench becomes unbearable.

David Daniels, Polson