I AM proud to be Native American
I AM proud to be Native American, I DO love my land and I do NOT litter!! Maybe Bonnie Sickles should have chosen her words differently in last weeks Leader. Turtle Lake Rd is not only travelled by Native Americans, those beer cans, wine bottles, and trash, couldn't have only been thrown there by natives. People litter, yes PEOPLE, not WE people, or YOU people. PEOPLE! Does it need to be stopped? Yes. Should it be cleaned? Yes. But do not catergorize the Native Americans as the only PEOPLE littering Turtle Lake Rd! Maybe Bonnie should use her camera to catch a clue.
Vivian Black
Pablo
I have been visiting the Polson area for the last twenty-five years. I come here to visit my daughter and her husband and love the beautiful scenery, the weather (for the most part) and the kindness of the local people. The one thing that is destroying the beauty of this lovely town is the posting of those hideous billboards on Highway 35 that one can see clearly as one leaves the Wal-Mart parking lot. I have never seen an accumulation of signs like this before. I recall a view of the lake behind them at one time, but newcomers to the area would never know. They can only imagine. Isn't there some kind of city or county ordinance to put a halt to this monstrosity?
Brigette Woods
Arizona
I would like to express my gratitude to Focus on the Family's Stuart Shepard for urging their flock to pray for "torrential rain" over Invesco Field during Barack Obama's historic acceptance speech in Denver.
God's answer makes perfectly clear, as nothing else could, that He is increasingly embarrassed to be a Republican. After supporting them through Iran/Contra, Dan Quayle, and finally wiretapping, torture and a bogus war, God is fed up.
All but the most persistent puritans have gotten the word and prominent celebrity wowsers are changing their tunes. Joel Osteen declared hands off politics to his 47,000 Lakewood thumpers. Rick Warren admonished his 23,000 Saddleback herd that religion is about "deeds not creeds" as he shifted from attacking liberals to promoting less divisive rudeness in 2008.
To those for whom the word "liberal" conjures visions of Mephistopheles, fear not, for God does not concur. As we all know, the Demon of Darkness bears an uncanny resemblance to Osama bin Laden. John McCain promises to "follow bin Laden to the gates of hell" but won't go after him in Pakistan, unequivocally demonstrating that Republicans are far more comfortable in the underworld than they are in the real one.
Does anyone else find sublime irony in the scaling down of the Republican Convention due to Hurricane Gustov? God has answered the prayers of the good Shepard's flock, but His answer, as is often God's wont, wasn't the anticipated one. God is such a divine prankster.
Wanda LaCroix
Arlee
The Republican V.P. is a true American. We American citizens have a bill of rights in our constitution including the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Some politicians, posing as true Americans, are declaring their own corrupt bill of rights. These include the right to kill innocent unborn or newly born human beings; the right to a free home; the right to extensive free health care; the right of retirement pensions for all, even illegal aliens and their relatives who have not paid into the system. They also propose freedom to vote for all illegal aliens as well as free citizenship and free amnesty and drivers license.
We in America had better elect true Americans, who are not using the system for their own advantage and who are not the good old boys who buy votes with promises of free everything. I think we are smart enough to tell which is which and I hope hones enough to vote accordingly. This freeloading policy of labor at the expense of capital has driven prices sky high and driven jobs to foreign countries to survive. Then they blame big business for the problem and the freeloaders believe them.
Vote smart - clean up America.
Ernest Seablom
Ronan
We read and hear people say, Barack Obama's acceptance speech in Mile High Stadium in Denver was a masterpiece.
What makes a speech a masterpiece anyway? Is it the clever collection of words strung together? Is it because some person has a gift as a writer of speeches? Is it because people report it was a masterpiece out of the excitement and enthusiasm of the moment?
I don't believe it is any of these things. I believe people report that Barack Obama's speech was a masterpiece because it spoke deeply, clearly, authentically, honestly, and graciously to the hearts and minds of millions who have known in their own hearts that change is absolutely necessary. And this speech put it all together in one clear and articulate package invoking what this change is really all about.
Phrases from Obama's speech will be repeated over and over as a mantra for many. The thrust of Obama's attacks on his rival, John McCain, came not as personal attacks on McCain the man but rather as policy-making attacks on McCain the candidate as one out of touch with reality and what is needed in America.
This talk to America from Obama was true to his fine character as a man of honor, of wisdom and vision, of dynamic leadership qualities, and of sensitivities to the struggles and fears which grip so many in America these days.
Why a masterpiece? Well, when a person of Obama's stature is able to connect what is spoken with what is in his heart and soul in a way which reaches the hearts and souls of others than a masterpiece is being woven. It is touching. It is honest. It answers basic questions. It speaks for millions.
Barack Obama represents all Americans, not just himself and his political party
Bob McClellan
Polson