Letters to the editor
May 7
More hate, fewer ideals
Today, Monday, April 27, Capt. John Kirby, spokesman for Chm. of the Joints Chief of Staff, Adm. Michael Mullen reported this to CNN:
“Adm. Mullen is deeply alarmed by what is going on in the Swat Valley and the growing extremist threat in Pakistan.”
ALARMED?? WOW! Is this news? Where has Adm. Mullen been the past few years? Is he just getting a jolt of the essence of what many knowledgeable people have been saying for years about both Pakistan and Afghanistan? Have our leaders actually had their heads so deeply buried in the sand or are they just slow to catch on?
This lack of awareness baffles the mind. If this is an indication of the U.S. understanding of the situation over there, we could be in for a long and very costly, in lives and resources, campaign until we finally decide to withdraw and allow that region of the world to work out its own problems in its own ways. We seem to be satisfied to let certain African nations handle their own horrible situations, albeit with some lip service, some money and small aid groups.
The Taliban is an ideology based upon deeply held beliefs. Strange, diabolical, repressive and cruel as their behavior and actions may appear to the western world, my question is this: How do you bomb away an ideology? How do you eradicate a philosophy of life by force? It has never worked in the past. Why do we think we can defeat the Taliban with armies, guns and bombs?
If we really want to put our energy toward eradicating destructive elements to our security, why not start right here at home, right here in the good old US of A. Just contact the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala. They have been dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society for years. In the latest SPLC Report, hate group numbers are surging. A new SPLC report identifies 926 hate groups in the U.S. This is a 54 percent increase since the year 2000, and a 4 percent gain over 2007.
Something to think about. Maybe Pogo had it right! Hmm. . .
Bob McClellan, Polson
Another reminder needed
Since submitting this letter (“Volunteers Need Respect” from the April 30 edition), I had the misfortune to witness a softball game in which the coaches from one of the teams displayed very poor behavior, yelling inappropriately at their very young players and arguing with the umpire. Apparently some of the volunteers also need reminding that they are setting the example for these young people and that if they behave badly, their players are likely going to follow suit.
Marine Johnson, Polson
Polson Fire Board rewards bid
The Polson Rural Fire Board has done a great job in its pursuit of a new fire hall for a reasonable amount of money in these hard times. We taxpayers of the Rural District are lucky to have such people looking out for us. Thank you Fred Nelson, Alison Meslin, Dave Ottun and Jim Manley! Fred has done a great job of conducting meetings that have had a lot of conflicts from a few Fire Personnel. These people have worked very hard to help the Rural Fire District get ahead and work within a tight budget. The sad part of last Tuesdays bid award was that the lowest bidder, who was from Charlo, had requested his bid be pulled! It seems he (and business) had been threatened (intimidated) for biding on the Fire Hall! These theatrics will cost us taxpayers $7,000 for the next lowest bid! This has to be a low point for the Polson area! The Board wants an investigation into this, and would seek prostitution of these individual or individuals. Go get them! I truly hope it is NOT one of Fire Personnel.
Jerry Peterson, Polson
New station positive
I would like to congratulate the Polson Rural Fire District Board of Trustees for their great effort to relieve the congestion in the Polson City Fire Station, where it houses many of its fire trucks by building a new rural fire station near the fairgrounds.
They have worked on this project for a number of years, and were able to successfully award the bid to construct the building at the April 28 meeting of the Board of Trustees. This was accomplished after much discussion by a citizen who felt the project was illegal and done poorly. Therefore, the Board of Trustees held off on awarding the contract to the lowest bidder until the project was reviewed by the County Commissioners, County Attorney and City Attorney, who found there was no reason to stop this project.
Meantime, this citizen contacted the low bidder, who then withdrew his bid I am not sure what was discussed in their conversation, but one can only wonder. Consequently, the board of trustees had to go to the next higher bidder, which increased the cost of the building by several thousands of dollars to the tax payers of Lake County.
I believe this citizen’s actions should be investigated.
Roger Rogers, Big Arm
Mothers are priceless
It was 63 years ago, not too long after World War II ended, both the Pacific and Europe. I found myself looking at mothers lying in the streets with their small children and searching in garbage cans for food. Their homes were destroyed and the fathers of the children had been killed. They were German mothers doing their best to keep their families alive. The scene was especially tough for many of the American military men whom had played a role in the destruction and killing.
However, the greatest revelation for me was realizing how great mothers are, and the important role which mothers play in the rearing and providing for their children. I am thankful that many fathers can and do play a serious role. On the other hand, in many cases, fathers do not participate in this expected and necessary role. The reasons are many-fold. A book could be written about this phenomenon. Therefore, at this time, I will make no further comments concerning this matter.
If follows that mothers usually do their jobs in a loving and expected way. Accordingly, I respect them. The Lord had a great idea when he created mothers. What would we do without them?
Accordingly, I wish for each mother a happy and satisfying Mother’s Day.
Bill Ingram, military veteran, Polson
What a burger
As a new resident of Polson, I really haven’t ventured to try some of the restaurants nearby. A few days ago I visited a restaurant, Burger Barn a place in Polson more off the beaten track of the tourist section by the lake (but not too far). I was so impressed! Along with the great service the food was superb. The serving portions of the order were plentiful, I could hardly finish but “did” because it was all “so good.” The décor was “very homey” and I particularly liked the hint of patriotism and down to earth feeling that came over me during my visit. Oh, and everything was sparkly clean!!! I spoke with the owner Sean, he was interested in my comments and also to make sure I enjoyed my lunch, a yummy mushroom/swiss burger combo meal. Just so you know I have traveled extensively throughout the US and other parts of the world. I’m comfortable with saying; I have some experience of fine foods and its quality. Burger Barn is right up there in comparison. I can’t wait to go back and if I’m not up to it I can get my food delivered. I’m going for the special of this month “Maui Wowie,” (hope I spelled that right). This little letter is not a “plug” for business but a way to say how much I appreciate knowing a local establishment takes pride in promoting all the things that would make any customer happy.
Just a side note: I’m an environmentalist, one who appreciates the suggestion of energy savings. Burger Barn has ceiling fans to offset air-condition use; lighting fixtures are energy savings as well. Oh and as far as parking I’m glad Mr. Sean Walsh has kept it all more natural with gravel, paved cement does not absorb water to filter into the ground.
Pamela M. Barrett, Polson
Thanks from BAA
Big Arm Association offers a big round of applause to the 24 local residents who volunteered this past Saturday to clean a six-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 93. Fortified with coffee and chocolate chip cookies and armed with gloves, plastic bags and great enthusiasm they attacked the garbage. By the end of the morning there was a count of 43 bulging bags of garbage lined up along the six miles of highway through Big Arm.
A very big thank you to all of those special people throughout this magnificent valley who volunteered to help keep our patch of heaven clean.
Please help us by taking your garbage home instead of tossing it out of your vehicles and making sure the trash in the back of your pickup beds is secure, thanks so much.
Submitted by Jeff and Alison Meslin on behalf of the Big Arm Association