Letters to the editor

Military might

One of the leaked U.S. diplomatic cables from the Wikileaks open information group has clear recordings on a report of a meeting in 2009 with Muammar Qadhafi in which Senator John McCain promised to help the Libyan dictator to obtain military hardware. This was all in the name of providing Libya with their need for security. This meeting was attended by other prominent members of Congress including Senators Lindsey Graham, Susan Collins and Joe Lieberman.

Regardless of the emotions and dearly held opinions stimulated by the name “Wikileaks,” “prominent Senators” and “leaked cables,” the point is this:

It makes no difference who, what or where. Our nation has been, and still is, saddled with leadership which has become so addicted to military might, the employment bonanza through the manufacture of all manner of military hardware, and the misguided thought that we must keep this industry and therefore the military threats to the rest of the world alive and well, that we have used and continue to use military might as our main bargaining chip even with despots and dictators of every stripe.

This is not about the differences in philosophies between Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Socialists, Conservatives, Liberals, Tea Parties and the myriad of splinter groups. This is about a mind-set. This is about ethics and the philosophy of morals. This is about national character.

So, how is national character established? In my way of thinking, it starts with each of us developing and defending our own set of morals and character right within our own families and communities. And it builds to the actions we take when we enter the voting booth, putting aside long held political party affiliations and looking at individuals on the ballot from the standpoint of whether they pass the test we hold deep down in our heart of hearts and know to be right, be true, be honest and be of high character.

In my view, even after the vote, we cannot depend upon our elected leaders to hold to the true values of our great nation when they are buffeted about by very special, greedy and wealthy interests. We, the people, are to answer the call for change within our political structure.

And this call for proper leadership involves: Attitudes, morals, ethics and the power of reason over the power of military might and big money interests.

Bob McClellan

Polson

Sensible solution

For generations, Montana has leased cabin sites to folks willing to make improvements at their own expense. Lessees invested money and sweat equity on utilities, structures, wells and septic systems.

They maintained access roads, removed noxious weeds and dead trees. Some live in them year-round. Others built seasonal cabins. Many are over 50 years old and have been enjoyed by generations of families. Eighty-eight percent of leaseholders are Montana residents and many are retirees living on Social Security.

Lease revenue benefits Montana’s schools and universities.

The infamous 2009 reappraisal slammed those lease rates out of the park. On Rogers Lake west of Kalispell, 15 of the 28 sites have already been abandoned due to impossible lease rates. What happens when a cabin site is abandoned? No one takes care of the land, so noxious weeds and soil erosion can occur; there is reduced vigilance against crime and forest fires.

Senator Tutvedt took on the challenge and drafted SB409 which offers a long-term solution. It requires an open bid process to determine fair full market value. The bill contains no special privileges or preference for current leaseholders. I spoke in favor of the bill, and it passed the Senate on a vote of 44-4; and easily passed in the House. The governor allowed it to become law.

Now the Board of Regents and the Land Board want to stop the implementation of SB409 with a lawsuit. The governor now claims it was a “dumb bill,” in spite of its overwhelming bipartisan passage. This adversarial path will only cost Montana taxpayers legal fees and create poor perception of state government.

If the land board wins the suit, the rates will go up so high that the probable outcome will be wholesale abandonments of the state’s 802 sites. The state will have to rake high rates off fewer and fewer folks willing to pay above-market prices.

Anyone in business knows that to maintain volume, you keep prices reasonable. Let’s hope common sense prevails and Senator Tutvedt’s bill is given an opportunity to work.

Carmine Mowbray

Polson