Letters to the editor, May 13

Our Youth

Those attending and anyone listening to President Obama's speech to the graduating class at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor very recently had the opportunity to hear a most lucid, intelligent, thoughtful and timely lecture to those young graduates on the great value of our democratic system of government; how it came to be; where it has been; where it is today; and what is needed for it to truly represent ‘the will of the people' in the future. In short: How this system COULD work and what is necessary for it TO WORK.

Focusing on a key point, he said this: "The second way to keep our democracy healthy is to maintain a basic level of civility in our public debate."

And further: "We cannot expect to solve our problems if all we do is tear each other down. You can disagree with a certain policy without demonizing the person who espouses it. You can question someone's views and their judgment without questioning their motives or their patriotism."

And finally: "The problem is that this kind of vilification and over-the-top rhetoric closes the door to the possibility of compromise. It undermines democratic deliberation. It prevents learning, since after all, why should we listen to a ‘fascist' or ‘socialist' or ‘right wing nut'?

Intelligent, healthy, heated debate and discussion can stimulate critical thinking among the listeners or readers. Anger and vitriolic attack added to this same debate and discussion stimulates anger, fear, and sometimes the worst of responses among the listeners or readers.

President Obama's graduation speech was interrupted countless times, and one had the feeling with this enthusiastic applause that these graduates were finally hearing exactly what they wanted and needed to hear. And my thoughts were, as he finished his speech, that finally he was addressing the age group who REALLY needed to hear this message, an age group who will be counted upon to implement a workable democratic system of government for our great country. We are in good hands, I think.

Bob McClellan

Polson resident

HD 11 election

The upcoming Republican primary election for House District 11 has added interest this time around! Our current representative, Janna Taylor, has primary competition. Based on her performance in office over the years, I'm happy to support Janna! As others have noted, Janna always answers her mail (even when it is someone like me berating her for some action I didn't like) and she listens when constituents speak. Importantly for me, she is fiscally responsible and treats all segments of our economy/services the same.

I cannot imagine where either of her opponents would improve on these values. I know virtually nothing of Mr. King but do have firsthand experience with Garth Cox and I would never have mistaken him for a Republican or a conservative. As an activist in the Polson teacher's union, he was always pushing for more dollar's for salary and benefits and was a firm supporter of school levies which could extract those dollars from the voters. His principal argument with Janna Taylor seems to be that she hasn't been supportive enough of spending more taxpayer money on education. As much as added funds could be used ‘for the kids,' there are always places where cuts can be made. In these times, everyone, including educators, must learn to live within their means.

Put me, happily, in the Janna Taylor column on the 8th of June.

Bob Hanson

Dayton resident

Medical marijuana

Recently, I received information that a so-called medical marijuana store/outlet might be coming into my residential neighborhood. Allowing marijuana to be grown, including selling and buying it in Lake County is plain ludicrous. You will not only see crime increase in your communities, but it will put your families in danger with undesirables and career criminals moving into your neighborhoods. I have personally seen this completely destroy community neighborhoods. Don't be so naïve to think that this so-called medical marijuana outlet wouldn't bring in organized crime and undesirables into your neighborhoods and communities, it will. Look at the trouble Lake County's already having with illegal drugs and the lives it has already affected. Daryl and Preston (scared to give their last name) opening their marijuana store on US Hwy 93 are not doing this for medical humanity, no, it's all greed.

I have been in law enforcement for over 44 years and have seen what this drug can do to a person, a person's family and its communities. The big effect will be to our children. If medical marijuana is to be legalized, then this drug should be controlled by legal pharmacology outlets and supervised by medical personnel (doctors) and not John Does from the street and the so-called instant on- line internet doctors' visit. Montana and/or Lake County legislation should regulate and control its operation before allowing it in Lake County. Lake County's local law enforcement agencies do not have the required trained manpower to fight the additional criminal perpetrators that will enter this county. This is not to include the outcome that this will have in affecting your families, children and local communities' protection.

I will do everything legally in my power to fight to keep these marijuana outlets out of my neighborhood, to include especially to protect our children against these drug/criminal predators that these marijuana outlets will bring in.

Dennis P. Lewis

Polson Resident

Thank you

We would like to thank all local media and businesses for helping get the word out for the Spring 2010 Preschool screening and the Kindergarten Registration for the Ronan-Pablo School District's 2010/2011 enrollment. Because of your help we were able to draw a large number of children for these events. We especially want to thank Naomi Dulmes and Rocky Mountain Eye Clinic who volunteered their time to screen the children.

If you are the parent of a student who will begin kindergarten in the fall, live in the Ronan-Pablo area and were not able to attend the Kindergarten Round Up to register your child for next school year, please feel free to pick up enrollment forms at either Pablo Elementary or K. Wm. Harvey Elementary schools anytime. The sooner your child is enrolled, the easier the transition to kindergarten.

Again thank you.

Joan Graham, Special Services Director, Ronan School District

Frank Ciez, Principal

Dave Marzolf, Principal