Freedom Day event seems inappropriate
Editor,
The March 22 edition of the Leader included an article about the plans that are being made to commemorate Memorial Day this year. The idea of a war celebration struck me as so inappropriate that I expected a barrage of disapproving letters to the editor.
Tanks, military helicopters, kids dressed in red, white and blue to represent the American flag, hundreds of motorcycles, entertainment — what are these planners thinking? Memorial Day is supposed to be a solemn honoring of those who have served and died in wars, not a saber-rattling celebration of those wars. The committee seems less interested in paying homage to the sacrifice of the dead and more interested in glorifying war.
And what is “Freedom Day?” In May we honor those who have died in war. And on July 4th we celebrate our freedom from the rule of England. What is Freedom Day supposed to be celebrating? The fact that we invaded another nation and are still there four years later at a terrible cost to us and to the people of that nation?
Do the planners think promoting war is supporting our troops? Rather than spending thousands of dollars glorifying war, we should be putting our energies into honoring those who have not returned, those who have returned injured and those who have returned only to face redeployment. This should be a day to contemplate the horrors of war and the terrible sacrifices wars demand. War should not be glamorized by waving flags, singing patriotic songs and presenting gratuitous displays of militarism, pageantry we’ve seen throughout history in militaristic countries around the world.
My only son, my only son-in-law and my only nephew have served or are presently serving in this so-called “war on terror.” To truly honor these brave young men, we should advocate for the end to war so that they, and men and women like them, will not again be taken from their families and sent to foreign soils.
Polson should demonstrate that we are a peace-loving community, not a “bring- them-on” community. Memorial Day does not seem like the appropriate occasion for a celebration. I, for one, find the plans being put forth by the Freedom Day committee miss the whole point of Memorial Day and I cannot imagine participating in such a spectacle.
Jackie Ladner, Polson
Parents weren’t ‘hostile’ at meeting
Editor,
Last week’s article in the Leader concerning the Polson school board meeting could easily leave the impression, or be misconstrued, that parents outlining school infrastructure and safety concerns initiated hostile discussion. As the parents in question, we presented a strongly worded letter asking why maintenance and safety issues at Cherry Valley appeared to be a low priority for the district.
At the onset of the presentation, we suggested a more open dialogue between parents of students at Cherry Valley and the School Board, as we believed this to be a logical solution to the parental concerns created by this situation. The “hostility” displayed came from one board member upset with the letter. (In retrospect, the term “hostile” seems like a poor choice of words, as only one school board member took grave offense with the letter submitted to the board and outwardly displayed his negative feelings). His action gave rise to the descriptive term used in the article. We were polite and our discussion sincere and informative, as were comments by a few of the board members.
We became involved with this issue when we discovered a faulty exterior door, which had been broken for most of the school year and had not been satisfactorily repaired following the robbery during Christmas break. In our attempts to obtain an answer as to when the doors would be repaired, we found that the Jan. ‘07 school board minutes pertaining to the break in at Cherry Valley stated only that it was discussed.
In fact, when we met with the Facilities Committee at the beginning of March, we were informed that the door was not scheduled for repair until spring break. Would you leave an exterior door to your home broken for three months? The Leader article states the alarm system was functioning at the time of the break-in, but since it was attached to a fax line it did not notify the security systems company. If an alarm system fails to alert, it is not functioning. The responsibility for the proper functioning of the alarm system lies with the company providing the security. That is what our tax dollars are buying. The School Board chose, instead, to put the onus onto the principal.
The article of last week also quotes Theresa Taylor as stating that “…[Facilities Committee member] John Laimbeer had a meeting at Cherry Valley six weeks ago to inform parents, but only a few showed up.” We believe Ms. Taylor was misinformed regarding this meeting. After checking with several Cherry Valley staff, administrators, and parents, not one was aware of a meeting between Mr. Laimbeer and any parents at the school. We believe Ms. Taylor is referring to a meeting scheduled by us with Superintendent McCormick and the Facilities Committee, held at the District Office, in our endeavor to be informed regarding the maintenance at the school. It was during this meeting that we were informed of the further maintenance needs at Cherry Valley.
We are encouraged the school board has proceeded with basic maintenance needs at Cherry Valley and look forward to working with the board in the future.
We believe that when it comes to the safety and well being of our children, perceptions as well as dollars spent are important.
Rosemary Hickey, Cesar Hernandez, Heather Davies
Polson
More idealistic than realistic
Editor:
This is in response to a letter that appeared in the Leader on April 5, supporting a proposed U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence. I applaud the idealism of the women who wrote this letter. What sane person does not long for a world of peace where no person would ever harm another person?
But here’s the problem: Is it possible that these women do not realize the havoc that a federal bureaucracy can wreak? My guess is that most of your readers could tell some horror story about dealing with government bureaucracy. I’ve known many government workers who certainly try do a good job for the people they serve. Actually, I used to be one of them. However, often the sum is greater than the parts of the whole. To place the precious idea of peace into the hands of a new federal bureaucracy is to me unthinkable.
A few specific comments about the bill mentioned, H.R. 808: It was introduced by Rep. Kucinich, a Democrat from Ohio, and currently has 62 Democrat co-sponsors. Section 112, Consultation Required (a)(1) reads, “In any case in which a conflict between the United States and any other government or entity is imminent or occurring, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State shall consult with the Secretary [of Peace and Nonviolence] concerning nonviolent means of conflict resolution.” Now let’s think: I wonder how amenable Nikita Khrushchev would have been to entering into conflict resolution in the fall of 1962 when President Kennedy’s quick action averted a near catastrophe? The bill is full of such idealistic but poorly reasoned provisions.
One last comment concerning funding: The April 5 letter said that a Department of Peace “can be implemented for just 2 percent of the Defense Budget.” The proposed Defense Department budget for FY 2008 is $483 billion. Let’s say that budget is approved intact. That would mean, if there were a new Department of Peace, its FY 2008 appropriation (if it received the 2 percent of the Defense Department Budget authorized in H.R. 808) would be $9.66 billion. Now, I don’t know about your other readers, but I would a whole lot prefer to see that kind of taxpayer money going to something that might really contribute to a better, more just world — like higher salaries for our military and law enforcement personnel, just for starters.
Carol Cummings
Polson
Family Powwow was huge success
Editor,
The planning team of the Family Powwow thanks everyone for their generous support of our 10th Annual Powwow. Once again, it was a tremendous success with nine drum groups, 88 dancers, and a throng of observers. But none of it would be possible without the support of our community.
A huge thank you goes to the following individuals and merchants who generously donated funds and items for prizes and the raffle: Allison Roullier, Allred Paint & Supply, Bayview Inn, Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Eagle Bank, Fiesta En Jalisco, First Citizens Bank, First Resort, Flathead Lake Inn, Gotta Hava Java, Isabel’s, Main Street Market, Margaret Nader, McDonald’s, Mission Mountain Tire-Les Schwab, Montana Waters & Rec., Pat Salmon, People’s Center, Pizza Hut, Polson Bay Golf Club, Polson Pet Seed and Supply, Port Polson Inn, Quinn’s Wrap Shack, Safeway, Salish Kootenai College, Steve’s Video, Super 1, The Terrace, Total Screen Design, Touch of Montana, UPS Store Polson, Valley Bank, Valley Journal, Wal-Mart, WBC, Wheat Montana and Workout Express Gym & Fitness Center.
Additionally, the planning team thanks over 60 volunteers who spent their valuable time planning, sewing, cooking, setting up, and cleaning up. This wonderful Powwow would have been impossible without you.
Polson School District
Powwow Planning Team
Global warming is undeniable
Editor,
Are you kidding? Global warming is a hoax? I am totally stunned by Dan Drewry’s incredible ignorance and denial about global warming.
How can you possibly say this is not happening when literally thousands of acclaimed scientists and scholars from the highest and most prestigious institutions in the world have proven it repeatedly?
Look at the facts. Look at what is happening in the world. How can you have your head so stuck in the sand? You are doing your readers a huge disservice and I personally am canceling my subscription to your newspaper because of your stupidity.
Patricia Bowers
Polson
Leader publisher was off the mark
Editor,
It was with much disappointment that I read Leader publisher Dan Drewry’s remarks in the Apr. 5 edition regarding Al Gore’s “Inconvenient Truth” and other pertinent situations of concern to our country and the world’s peoples.
To me this “opinion” reeked of incivility, sarcasm, gossip, and rhetoric backed up by no substantial sources or evidence. There was no invitation for dialogue, for discussion, no way to have a meeting of minds.
Is it not possible to make a point, to disagree with someone’s position, without being disagreeable? It has been said that one gets more flies, or is it ants (?), with honey than with vinegar!
Mr. Drewry mentioned several times the millions, capital M, of our money that has gone to social projects he apparently disapproves of, how these “have mortgaged our granddads,” yet failed to comment on the Billions the U.S. is continuing to spend funding ongoing wars.
Please Mr. D., in the future, give your readers only opinions appropriate for a man in your position.
Marion Rosa
Polson
Animal Shelter Spay-ghetti dinner was huge success
Editor
We would like to thank all of the people who made our Spay-ghetti Dinner such a huge success. Our sponsors, Terry Dumont, CPA, Three Dog Down and First Citizens Bank, made this possible and the funds raised will help with the care of the abandoned and lost pets of our area.
Since Mission Valley Animal Shelter is completely privately funded with nothing from any government agency, these fundraisers are vitally important to our work.
We sincerely appreciate your continued support and hope that you will visit the shelter to see what your donations can do. Thank you for helping us help the animals.
The Board, Staff and Volunteers
Mission Valley Animal Shelter
Pack out what you pack in
Editor,
In response to the Honorable Chuck Wall’s article, I witnessed a RV driver throw out a bag of trash on back roads. However, due to the bad dust I couldn’t get a license number, but I wrote this after seeing this site and the garbage on our roads. My hat’s off to Chuck for allowing people who are convicted of offenses to work off their fines, and I also thank them for their work.
Please, people, pack out what you pack in.
Seldon D. Reum
Polson
Easter: A good reminder
Editor,
Thank you, Mr. Fugleberg. Your article about “The Real Easter” was so good; it was right on — how we need to get back to what the real meaning of Easter is all about. Your brief resume’ described so well the passion of Christ, ending on His glorious resurrection, offering us, as you said, “forgiveness, salvation, incomprehensible love, promise of joy and eternal life.”
This was a good reminder for all of us.
Vern Hicks
Ronan