Letters to the editor, April 15

Starting Brushfires of Freedom in Montana

America is awakening to the fact that the "fundamental changes" being implemented by progressives in our government are destructive to our economy, security, liberties, present and future prosperity. Our country has never been more divided and the changes are coming at us fast and furious. This transformation, we have discovered, is not only a redistribution of America's wealth, but also a blatant attack on our freedom. Our Constitution has been subverted, and for all intents and purposes, is a meaningless piece of paper in the eyes of both Democrat and Republican leaders.

Coming to the realization that our government is out of control and has serious problems is important, but actually coming up with viable solutions and engaging other Americans in working on those solutions is the challenge that we face. Americans are resourceful, resilient, and fully capable of finding solutions to problems. We've proven time and time again that we can pull together during difficult times and the time has come for us to make some tough choices about the direction we want to see our country move.

Brushfires of Freedom is a non-profit, non-political group that's been organized as a forum for all concerned citizens to gather together to focus on the problems at hand and to find solutions. Our goal is to educate citizens about topics and issues that have contributed to the erosion of Constitutional principles and the very freedoms and liberties we can no longer afford to take for granted.

To accomplish this mission, Brushfires of Freedom offers four separate discussion and education groups, designed to promote self education, self reliance, personal responsibility, and community building. Each group will meet once a month and supplemental educational offerings will be available on our Web site. Brushfires of Freedom will offer the grassroots foundation for taking action to strengthen our community and empowering citizens to hold their representatives accountable to the Constitution.

Check out our Web site at www.brushfiresmt.com, and contact us with questions. Also watch the newspaper and the bulletin boards in your community for meeting information. We look forward to you joining us at one or more of our group meetings to help us begin the process of restoring our country.

Dave and Milla Koger

Bob and Elke Starks

Terry Backs

Former co-founders of Calling All Conservatives

Sheriff candidates

I would like to comment on the candidates for Lake County Sheriff. I spent many years in all parts of Lake County teaching safety classes to Fire Department, Police Officers, EMTs, grade school students and civic groups, Mission Valley Power and Flathead Electric. I traveled from the Swan Valley to Dayton from Charlo to Arlee and all areas in between. I taught Risk Management in our every day lives. Since 9/11, I, as many of you have grown more conservative and very pro Law & Order. When we soon set at home alone filing out an absentee ballot or stand alone in that voting booth we must not forget that once that vote is cast, it cannot be taken back no matter how much we would wish it to be. 18 months ago, groups of Republicans, Independents, and Democrats sat around the camp fire singing Kum Ba Yah and lifting their wine glasses together lamenting how bad the previous 4 years had been and how far we have come in ringing in a new era of change and co-operation. Oh how they believed. How many of those folks who cast their vote now wishes it could be taken back and changed. Look at our debt today, the war and joblessness, oh what a fix our choice has gotten us into. We knew there was no experience, we knew they had never handled a budget, we now know the hollowness of their promises and lack of ethics. But once the vote is cast it cannot be taken back. I personally know all of the candidates for Sheriff. All are good persons. But Jay Doyle is the right person for the job of sheriff. Honesty, integrity and over 21 years experience clearly makes Jay Doyle the candidate of choice. Being sheriff requires having sympathy at times of victim needs, fairness for public and employee alike and that certain degree of toughness when those times do arise. Jay Doyle possesses and projects all three of these qualities in his personal life and for the 21 years of his professional life as a law enforcement officer. Jay Doyle loves God, his country, his family and his community that he has served so diligently. My dad always said "When you're going to New York, don't stop in Chicago", meaning don't go half way. I owe my children and my 10 grand children who are being raised in this valley the best law enforcement leadership choice that I can make. I am not going to stop half way with a good person, I am going to vote for the best and "right" person to be the chief law enforcement officer for our county. I owe that to my family. I want to make my vote count. I do not want to be sitting 18 months from now wishing I could take that vote back. Jay Doyle has the experience, Jay Doyle has the integrity, and Jay Doyle has the one, five and ten year plan that involves community partnerships and inter-departmental relationships to carry well into the future with fiscal responsibility. Jay Doyle has my vote and my total endorsement for Lake County Sheriff.

Lanny C. Vanmeter

Accountability

Dear Sheriff Lucky Larson and Undersheriff Jay Doyle,

My name is Terry Leonard. I am named after my uncle Terry Graham, 1st Lieutenant, United States Army, Special Forces, Military Advisory Command, Vietnam, Special Operations Group, killed in Vietnam 3 months before my birth. His father is my godfather, Newell Graham, Sergeant First Class, United States Army, Special Forces retired, 10th Special Forces Group. My biological father is Bradley Mallard, Sergeant, United States Army, Special Forces retired. My stepfather who raised me is named Tom Leonard, Technical Sergeant, United States Air Force, Vietnam veteran, ordnanceman on B-52 bomber aircraft. His father's name is Jack Leonard, Sergeant, United States Army, killed after exposure to stored mustard gas in World War II. My mother's father is named Roy Bishenaur, First Class Petty Officer United States Navy, Gunner's Mate, serving in every major conflict in the South Pacific Theatre in WWII, retired after 30 years in the Navy. His brother's name is Don Bishenaur, 2nd Lieutenant United States Marine Corps Naval Aviator, shot down and killed while flying F-4U Corsairs in the South Pacific Theatre, WWII. I could continue my family's military lineage, but rest assured that at least one member of myfamily's military lineage, but rest assured that at least one member of my family has served in the military all the way back to King George's Rangers, when my family members fought in the Revolutionary War against the colonists. I come from a proud and long military lineage and my family is a family of warriors.

I am a United States Navy veteran. I am also a combat veteran. I have provided documents proving these facts to you. My family members and myself have served this country and its presidents for a very long time. I also served your department for a very long time. I do not tell you these things to be boastful of my family or myself.

I tell you these things because I want you to know who you are accountable to. You are accountable to me, my family, and the veterans and citizens of this county. You are an elected official and you will answer to your constituents.

I am respectfully requesting that you please explain to me why you lack the intestinal fortitude to dismiss a deputy who falsely claims to be a combat veteran Marine who lost fellow Marines in combat. You have fired deputies for infractions that are miniscule compared to this, yet you allow this Deputy to insult our veterans, and operate outside the Peace Officer's Code of Ethics.

A deputy who directly insults my namesake Terry Graham who was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star for selfless acts that resulted in his death while saving the lives of his Special Forces team in Vietnam.

I demand an explanation for this deputy's behavior, in the name of Terry Graham, 1st LT US Army Special Forces, Killed In Action, and all those who have given their life for this country before and since his death.

I demand an explanation for your allowing this disgraceful behavior to not only continue, but for letting it slide in the first place.

Do you not have respect for any of the fallen servicemen this nation has given? Allowing a public servant to claim fake honor, and claim that he lost men in combat? Is this your legacy? Will this deputy be trusted with confidential material in the future? Will this deputy take the stand in court when everyone knows he cannot be trusted? Can this lying deputy be trusted with the safety of our children and families? Is this how you will run a future administration, Undersheriff?

You have ignored calls from active duty Marines. You have ignored inquiries from honorable veterans and taxpaying citizens. When will you address this?

I and my fellow veterans deserve and demand an explanation.

Terry Leonard, Polson resident