Political TV debate time is questioned
Editor,
I hope people of America are not choosing a presidential candidate from the debates only because every candidate does not get fair time. They choose certain candidates and ask them all the questions. I haven't watched all the debates because I do not get the channels.
But I did watch the MSNBC one in Florida Thursday night. Well let's see now, Romney was asked 11 90-second questions, one 30 second one; Huckabee, seven 90-second, one 30 second; McCain, nine 90-second, two 30-second, one 15-second; Guiliani, eight 90-second, two 30-second; and most of them went over the time limit.
Then we have the one man people need to hear from — Ron Paul. He was asked three 90-second and two 30-second questions.
What's wrong with this picture?
No wonder people keep choosing the ones who get all the debate time. You need to check out all the candidates, look up all their issues and what they say about them. Don't just listen to the debates. You are not going to hear what they all have to say. Please look up the man they won't let be heard.
Other candidates are starting to say what he has said from the beginning, but he isn't being the one heard. Please look up Ron Paul at www.RonPaul2008.com and read about the only candidate that from his heart wants to help America, or call 1-877-766-7285 for more information.
Choose Ron Paul to take care of America. He is our "Hope for America."
Don't forget to register to vote.
Kelly Bailey
Polson
Snowplower is much appreciated
Editor,
I would like to thank the invisible person who plows the snow from 1st Street West between 4th and 5th Avenues and sometimes the block farther south. What a nice treat to go to shovel and someone has already been there.
I know my mother who is 85 and lives a block south also appreciates this for obvious reasons. I don't know who you are, but you are appreciated.
Royalee Bishop
Polson
U-15 Girls Soccer coach says thanks
Editor:
I am writing to express my thanks to the many local individuals and businesses that are supporting the team of 18 girls that make up the Polson Girls Tsunami U-15 soccer club.
Polson Tsunami U-15 Girls Soccer has begun and as we move into the competitive soccer season I would like to express my gratitude to many of those in the community for supporting our efforts. It is a joyful experience to be involved with a program that involves so many adults and children in a positive way.
With that said, I would like to thank these community supporters and individuals for directly assisting this team: Neill Davenport and Tami Morrison for offering their time four days a week as assistant coach and team manager, the Whitefish Credit Union for its generous donation to this soccer program and Polson High School for opening the gym to us for practice. Go Tsunami.
Michael Hewston
Coach, U-15G
Tsunami Soccer
Polson
Ronan Assemblies of God Church plans grand opening
Editor,
Spirit of God Church Ministries is in a season of transformation, breakthrough, and expectaion. Ten years ago I came to this awe-inspiring valley uncertain of my future. Like many I was searching for contentment and peace. I realized my Creator was charting my life and allowed Him to set the course.
This past year marks six years as a pastor on the Flathead Reservation reaching out to all four corners of this impressive land proclaiming the message of love, forgiveness, and restoration because of Christ Jesus. As pastor and director of "Spirit of God Ministries" we have held annual camp meetings east of Pablo each August and monthly meetings in Hot Springs while building bridges into the communities of the hurting and displaced throughout the power of prayer.
Like the children of Israel, we must be ready to move as the Spirit directs. Pastoring the last six years in Polson has been a time of learning and growing in the Lord. It is with great pleasure that I make known the grand opening of Spirit of God Ministries, Assemblies of God, 511 1st Ave. SE in Ronan, beginning Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008.
As I begin my seventh year as pastor and minister of the gospel, I'm excited about the possibilities God has in store for you and the Mission Valley. We want to be a church that is committed to reaching our community, neighbors, and friends for Jesus Christ in 2008. I invite you to come and worship and discover your place in the Kingdom of God. As a young pastor, I have grown in the grace of God and desire to see individuals transformed by the power and grace of God. Come expecting, leave transformed.
Pastor Dean Buffalo
Spirit of God Ministries, Assemblies of God Church
Ronan
Three years since daughter's death
Editor,
On Feb. 3 it well be three years since my daughter was taken away for just being at the wrong place at the wrong time, her life was cut short.
She had dreams, so on Feb. 3 we will be having the same thing we had last year. Everyone is invited, even those ones that lost their loved ones the same way we lost our loved ones. Contact me or Lisa King. Thank you.
Carolyn Madplume
Heart Butte
Good cop, bad cop and predictions
Editor,
Having no strong preference one way or the other, it has been interesting for me to observe Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton craft their campaign strategies as Democrats who supposedly have similar party views and political philosophies.
What has been most striking lately has been former president Bill Clinton and Hillary's "good cop, bad cop" strategy in attacking Obama. Bill blasts away at him, often without facts to back up his utterances, and Hillary continues to play the "good cop."
The most interesting strategy decision about this entire thing is that apparently the Clintons are quite sure that Obama will not come back at them with some glaring facts about the bad cop's past actions concerning honesty, integrity, indiscretion, and certain cover-ups.
I guess they figure that regardless of how you attempt to win a political party nomination, it is worth that risk and the American public will be swayed by their innuendos and shady tactics.
After all, isn't that what national politics is all about? Where does full honesty, integrity and compassion fit in? How could we, the American public, possibly figure out how to vote if we were not being manipulated with clever rhetoric, angry words, attack and counter-attack?
I sometimes wonder if Jesus could win an election in this day and age since we seem to have wandered so far afield from his teachings. It might be smart for him to insist on having the election held on Sunday morning. Would that be considered totally honest?
I am going to make four predictions:
1. Bill Clinton, as we approach the Democratic convention, is going to be seen by more and more people as a liability rather than an asset to Hillary's bid for the Democratic nomination. His underlying personal quest for power is the primary reason for his campaigning so hard for Hillary.
He wants to be the real "power behind the throne" in the oval office …He will be very instrumental in choosing White House personnel. There will be Hillary people and Bill people. After about a year or so of him "laying low," he'll emerge more and more visible as a crafter of policies…
2. President Bush will ratchet up his rhetoric for a pre-emptive (nuclear?) strike against Iran.
This would be disastrous for all concerned, but with his psychological make-up this desperation move is essential to massage his sense of insecurity which only extreme demonstrations of power can satisfy.
3. New England will clean up on New York in the Super Bowl, giving Giuliani just one more thing to lament about the year 2008.
4. The FBR PGA tournament at the TPC in Scottsdale will be played under sunny skies; Aaron Baddeley will not repeat as champion; the raucous fans on #16 will be the prime distraction for whomever happens to be teeing it up.
Bob McClellan
Polson
Appreciated Bill Bourdon and Ruth Arlint
Editor,
As I read the papers online this last week I was saddened to see the loss of two really great people who helped shape and mold my childhood. Bill Bourdon and Ruth Arlint. They were both really terrific people and will be greatly missed not only by me but even by those who missed out on knowing them.
I met them both at the Christian Church in Pablo in the '70s. They were both a big help to my dad, Austin Green, and I know they are all talking together now about how it was much easier to raise us then than it is now. My deepest sympathies to their families and my prayers are with you.
Jodi Cole
Polson