Letters to the editor
Thanksgiving
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
For me, no words are more heart-rendering than the above. Throughout the years, I have thanked our forefathers for their courage, their sense of justice, their honor and their great ability to separate right from wrong. Again and again I thank these great people.
Notwithstanding, it is recognized that the above first paragraph is extracted from the Declaration of Independence, which was declared July 4, 1776. Thanksgiving was established for us many years before, around 1620 by the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims were the forefathers of those who declared our independence, and declared our Constitution.
The Pilgrims led a very tough life and were very diligent in their faith. Accordingly, they established Thanksgiving as a religious event; a day of giving thanks to the Lord.
Keep all the above in mind while you enjoy your chicken, turkey and pumpkin pie.
William Ingram
Polson
Pantry needs
Recently, I had the pleasure of engaging in a conversation with a member of the board of directors of the Polson Food Pantry, Merle Parise. Merle thoughtfully explained how the accelerating demand for meat is being overwhelmed by the rapidly expanding list of pantry clients. He suggested that the pantry would enthusiastically welcome any ground wild game burger (processed in certified meat processor facilities) to supplement the dwindling supplies of ground hamburger from the pantry’s more traditional sources.
He also noted that the Christmas baskets provided to the pantry’s clients in the month of December will need donations of frozen turkeys to complete these much welcomed supplements to the client’s regular supplies of less elegant staples. If you have any questions regarding the needs of the pantry, please contact Merle or the pantry’s manager, Bryan River at 883-6864.
Bob Fulton
Polson
Well-deserved
The staff and Board of Directors of DOVES (Domestic Violence Education and Services) would like to congratulate Salish Kootenai College’s Niki Graham on receiving the prestigious Honoring the Red Ribbon Award from the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center.
Here on the reservation we have always known what a treasure Niki is, so it is especially gratifying to see her receive this award, which honors “tireless commitment to action, a strong voice and fearless leadership.”
Each May, Niki’s organization, the Center for Prevention and Wellness, sponsors the phenomenally successful Women 4 Wellness Event, and she and her staff always go above and beyond, whenever they take on a project. They are truly collaborative partners in our shared efforts to create healthy relationships and are role models within the community.
The DOVES board is proud to say that Niki Graham is one of our members, and wish to congratulate and thank her publicly for all her efforts in making a difference in our community.
Jenifer Blumberg and the DOVES board
Ronan
Defending the EPA
The commercials criticizing Jon Tester for voting to protect the EPA are downright disgusting! If God gave us pure water and clean air, then the EPA is doing God’s work.
Many Americans consider the creation of the EPA by Richard Nixon in 1970 as one of the highlights of his presidency.
It is highly likely that without an EPA we would still be receiving vermiculite from Libby and polluters would say that time alone will cleanse the Gulf of Mexico from the oil spill.
When forests die from acid rain, rivers are so polluted that they actually catch on fire and fish contain mercury and PCBs that make them unsafe to eat — that delivers the message that we really need the EPA.
Peter Daniels
Polson
Grateful for the Bible
We were eating at the Polson Senior Center this past week and chatting with an elderly man, in the course of the conversation I encouraged him to read his Bible; his response was both startling and disappointing. He said, “I have never read the Bible, nor have I ever owned a Bible.” Sad, so very sad.
I have, in the Bible which I read daily, a book marker which has printed on it the following:
“The Bible reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts binding, its histories are true, its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.
It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter.
Here, Heaven is opened and the gates of hell disclosed.
Christ is its grand subject, our good is its design, the glory of God its end.
It should fill your memory, rule your heart, and guide your feet.
Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.
It is given in life and will be opened in judgment, and will be remembered forever.
It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all those who trifle with its sacred contents.
Owned, it is riches; studied, it is wisdom; trusted, it is salvation; loved, it is character; and obeyed, it is power.” (author unknown).
I believe it was Abraham Lincoln who said, “The Bible is God’s greatest gift to man.” I‘m like a lot of other folks in our community, who by reading the Bible have listened to God, and listening to God changes our lives forever.
Harvey A. Town
Polson
Cluster munitions
A headline I just read: “U.S. Leads Challenge on Ban on Cluster Munitions.”
Can anyone in their right mind, or left mind for that matter, honestly defend the U.S. position on this? Have you read how these cluster munitions work? How they indiscriminately maim, mutilate and kill?
How far from moral integrity, right use of power and true world leadership is our nation to fall before something happens for which our ‘fire power’ and ‘military might’ will be of little consequence?
Our leaders challenging and objecting to this world ban on cluster munitions boggles my mind! I only hope that enough people feel as I do so that our collective ‘occupy movement mind-set’ can help cause a change in attitude and outcome in this important matter.
Bob McClellan
Polson