Letters to the Editor NOv. 27

Wise words from the past

I am concerned that America is drifting far away from the spiritual values which blessed and perhaps preserved our country two centuries ago. A news commentator said that the new President elect was using the same tactic as Lincoln did in forming his cabnet; bringing around him those who had opposed his election.

Perhaps our prayers for the President elect should also include asking that Mr. Obama might have the same reliance upon God that Lincoln expressed in his Thanksgiving proclamation in 1863.“It is the duty of nations as well as men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the LORD. We know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.

But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched as strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”

- Abraham Lincoln - Oct. 3, 1863

Harvey A. Town, Polson

Thanks to PAC wall donors

On behalf of the Polson Middle School Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) and the middle school students, parents and staff, a sincere thank you so very much for the support and generous contributions from the following organizations: Polson Rotary, Lower Flathead Valley Community Foundation, 1st Interstate Bank, Glacier Bank, 1st Citizens Bank, Polson Outdoors, Inc., Polson Rotary Club, COLDWELL BANKER Gateway Realty, Wal-Mart, LifeTouch, CenturyTel, Total Screen Design, Nunlist Construction, the Polson Middle School librarians and one very special PMS science teacher!

With this terrific support, the PAC has now completed the new climbing wall in the middle school gymnasium. The obvious immediate benefits include having fun, learning something new, building self confidence, increasing self esteem and providing a safe and fun means of exercise.

The contributions from the above sources are meaningful and thoughtful. These organizations contribute to and support not only the students and their parents but also the entire Polson community. On behalf of our PAC organization, thank you.

Nancy P. Hemphill, PAC President and John Laimbeer, PAC member, Polson

Support will help new president

In reference to Jim Pettit’s recent letters to the editors, I would like to say this: We cannot go running down the street as “Chicken Little” yelling, “The sky is falling, the sky is falling!” We have a new president and although he was not your personal choice, our democracy does not allow for exceptions to how Jim Pettit personally feels about the election and your vote was just a small drop in the bucket.  I suggest that you support our new presidency the best way you can and get on with it. I found your letter to be quite irrational and inflamatory in nature. It is divisive and mostly based upon your own opinion rather than any substantiating facts. As far as the (Valley) Journal is concerned, these letters to the editors are a great tool to voice our opinions and share our thoughts, but to be so abrasive and insulting to the very people of our community and throw some emotional temper tantrum because you didn’t get your way is ridiculous.

Fear is the opposite of faith. If you are so worried, I hope that you find yourself on your knee’s in prayer daily to that higher source of help and inspiration and stop blaming everyone for what you perceive as a huge failure. In closing, to call any of your fellow citizens a “dirty traitor” is a huge disservice to each citizen of this county, state and country. You are not the only “Patriot” in this valley I’m sure!   Look around you, we may have differences of opinions here and there, but from what I’ve seen of the support from this Valley to this nation, our blood is red, white and blue! We should all be found in support of our leadership as it is the new leadership of this nation and our new president will need all of the support he can get.

Charleen Crenshaw, Ronan

Ninepipes Museum is a treasure

I have wanted to write to the (Ninepies Museum of Early Montana) Museum and the Cheff family for several years now. I would like to thank Bud Cheff Jr. in particular for his detailed and colorful descriptions in the newsletters. I always look forward to reading them. I am moved, personally, by his sensitivity and respect for the history of the people and the land that is so precious to the state of Montana.

In the year 2000, I was privileged to present to the Museum a painting of mine depicting Bud Cheff Sr. and Eneas Conko on a hunting trip. It was an honor for me to have it accepted by Bud Cheff Sr. in person. Everyone involved with the Museum was warm, friendly and deserving of respect. Thank you all again for your hospitality. I am proud to be included in such a fine collection.

I live in North Idaho. When I was in my 20s, I purchased five acres of timered land and built my own log home the old fashioned way by cutting the trees, peeling the logs and raising them into place by rope and muscle. I have lived here for 30 years, raised a family and made a living as a carpenter. I have always had a passion for art and was fortunate to become involved with the Museum which led to my donation. I have a love of the land and animals and have a kinship with the spirit of the Museum.

At times I travel and work in Montana, and occasionally even drive by the Museum. Often I am not able to stop because I am on business. There were times I had the time, and as fate would have it, the Museum was closed. I hope to drop in one day in the not too distant future and visit. I just wanted to let you know that my heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you and that I wish continued success for the Museum and all who work there. What you do is valuable and affects people’s lives. The Museum is an asset to Montana. Keep up the good work.

Richard Sanders, Athol, Idaho

Charlo volleyball deserved support

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Coach (Sheryl) Kain and the Lady Viking Volleyball players on a wonderful season. My husband and I attended as many games as we possibly could, and we were always impressed with the effort that you displayed.

We also feel that your school and community owe you a very large apology. We were only able to watch the last game of the divisional tournament, but we were saddened by how very few fans attended the game. We were also saddened that every other team had posters or banners hanging on the walls to cheer their volleyball team on while the Charlo girls had nothing. Where was the pep bus? Wasn’t one sent as far as Twin Bridges to the regular season boys’ football game? How come the same wasn’t done for the girls during the tournament? I supposed this is to be expected when one major concern of the high school principals and the superintendent is the boys’ football.

Keep working hard as you do girls. There is someone in your community along with your parents who is proud of you.

M.A. Wells, Charlo

Criticism does not help problems

I must admit I have read Mr. James Pettit’s last two letters to the editor with some degree of amusement. However after careful consideration, I find his rarified degree of ignorance is alarming. His first letter makes some extraordinary claims that simply cannot be substantiated in fact. It is more rhetoric and rant than anything else, not to mention hateful in nature.  I should also like to mention the fact that god does not grant anyone any rights whatsoever.  I believe that that is the job of governments is it not?   In fact treason and sedition, is in fact the hallmark of a traitor, which Mr. Pettit’s letter seems to be flavored with.

As for his second letter, Mr. Pettit gives us more of the same invective and diatribe.  Mr. Pettit should familiarize himself with the prerogatives’ of editors.  Throughout the history of the press it has always been their decision to print what they feel is of interest to their readers. Mr. Pettit feels as though he has a right to have his views heard anywhere. Although guaranteed by the constitution he should perhaps examine a newspapers editorial policy before he vociferously complains so.

Some may find his extremist views not in their best editorial or readers interest.

Mr. Pettit also seems to delight in claiming once again that this Land and Government are based on Christian principals, as well as being divinely inspired; nothing could be farther from the truth. Mr. Pettit should perhaps take the time to read a history book or two.

As far as his claims to truth etc, that remains to be seen.

As far as the election results go, there is always going to be a winner and a loser.

In this case the people of this great nation have spoken, in record numbers, and they want a change. I think that each of us (to include Mr. Pettit) should ponder the immortal words of President Kennedy “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country”. I think that it is appropriate for all of us to as citizens of one of the greatest nations to give back in what way we can. Our new President elect could use everyone’s help immaterial of political ideology; this is after all “Our” country.

I find Mr. Pettit’s claim to be a true and loyal patriot to be quite simply a load of tripe, but of course his words do speak for themselves.

Illegitium non carborundum est

Phillip F. Crenshaw, Ronan

Dear Editor,

Now that we have a president-elect, in Barack Obama, a fact that cannot be changed regardless of political preferences, one thing seems very clear in what has been happening since the election in the forming of a cabinet and other appointments: This man has intelligence and vision well beyond anything we have seen in a president of these United States of America in many, many terms of office.

To welcome into your circle of advisers and appointees people who actually fought against you in the long and sometimes bitter campaign speaks volumes as to Barack Obama’s self-confidence, his ability to reach across party lines, and his mastery of the art of building an internal political structure of a nation which needs to be a leader of a free world. 

There are too many large and looming problems that need to be addressed, which transcend political, ideological, religious and cultural differences, to allow ancient and not-so-ancient hatreds, fears and divisions to get in the way of solutions which are best for the long-term health of our species; perhaps even its survival.

Throughout history, there have been events and people coming along at just the right time to chart a new and essential course in the struggles of mankind. Barack Obama is such a man; not simply as to his person as president, but more importantly as to his ability to gather together an impressive team in his administration. The team and its ongoing influence and function is what determines the course of history.

You can already see the attitude of reaching across political lines for communication and cooperation.  You can already see great agreement and new respect among and between many heretofore antagonists.  You can already sense that come January 20, 2009, America will be turning over a fresh page in its long-needed new direction in the world.  You can already sense that even with our own internal recessionary problems that with the strong and wise leadership in Washington, with a congress jolted out of its greedy and dangerous bipartisanship, that prudent decisions will ensue.

As one senior citizen, growing up as a staunch Republican in Wisconsin, I am happy to be able to write such a letter.

Bob McClellan, Polson

Dear Editor,

Let’s have an honest rebuttal to the last political letters. It is Congress that spends the money and makes laws. It was a Democrat controlled Congress  (both House and Senate) that added to our huge deficit and also just passed this huge bail-out. President Bush did not vetoing so the democratic controlled Congress did the spending. Since they have been in control, have you seen any lowering of oil dependency like they promised or lower gas prices?

Pass a health care bill that would allow all insurance companies into all states? No, the Democratic congress have been in total control and we have seen no change, only promises, promises. Therefore, it is Congress that I am going to change. Obama can promise all he wans to but it is Congress taht controls and they need to be replaced.

Also, when are people going to learn that businesses don’t pay taxes they pass them on through the price of their product, thus, it sounds good to some but we, the consumer, pay a higher price for out goods (we are taxing ourselves). If they didn’t pass it on htye would either hire less people or go out of business, neither is good for us.

We all need a future we can look forward to, not one of Socialism where those who work hard havbe to give to those who look to the government for the answer. Our personal; freedoms cannot survive under Socialism.

Eileen Fehrenback, Pablo