Letters to the editor - May 9
Tribal matters
This letter is about the councilmen protecting our land, which they didn’t do.
The award that was given to them at Mission Dam was wrong. Jackie Finley and myself fought to protect the Mission Mountains. After the three sisters passed on they tried to sneak in and log the Mission Mountains, but at time I happened to read the Char-Koosta News and caught it. So I went down and fought with the forestry and council at that time so I decided to get a petition and had everyone sign it, non-Indians and Indians alike. The council said any working members who signed would be fired. Then this new council opened Jocko to roads, which is supposed to be a wilderness area. I’m against them operating Kerr Dam. They can’t even take care of small businesses, good bye per capital payments so please go against it. It’s already costing bucks and we haven’t got control of it.
Francis Stanger
Polson
Asphalt and concrete
I have a theory about why the Nigerians and Ethiopians win the marathons. I may be wrong, but remember, it’s my theory and mine alone.
Those countries have very little concrete and asphalt, so they train on grass and run up hills.
Every Boston Marathon has lots of favorites drop out of the race because of foot problems.
I say give up the sidewalks and walk in the soft, spongey grass, or even gravel. It seems to massage a person’s feet. I say train by running up and down hills and roads that are not paved.
People see me hitch-hiking practically every day in the summer. I never walk on asphalt or concrete, even on the road. I walk in the grass. I can walk 25 miles a day in the grass and my feet don’t get sore, and I’m 75 years old.
Magic McDougall
Hot Springs
Cast breaks a leg
Once again, Neal and Karen Lewing produced and directed an excellent musical: “Guys and Dolls.” They also star performed in it. It was so entertaining and fun and uplifting. The whole cast was superb. We are so blessed to have the Port Polson Players in our community.
Bill & Joan McDermott
Polson
The truth about Israel
On April 30, I attended a meeting in Polson that was astounding. Alison Weir, former journalist and now executive director of “If Americans Knew” spoke for an hour and a half on: “What Americans Need to Know about Israel/Palestine - Beyond the Headlines.”
The truth surrounding this whole situation bears no resemblance to what we Americans are told. Did you know that we are sending $8 million to Israel per day? That’s more than $3 billion a year. The list of misinformation is long indeed. This meeting points to the much larger picture than just Israel and Palestine.
From Washington we get carefully filtered news from politically controlled large media corporations. We are not being represented honestly. ‘We the People’ are not actually influencing policies and legislation. Through the majority of our legislative bodies, our so-called “Democracy of the people, by the people, and for the people” is being carried out by huge money interests, large corporations, industries such as pharmaceuticals, oil, and such. This is not a ‘Democracy.’ This is a ‘Plutocracy’; “rule by the wealthy.”
In any nation, after years of physical violence and repression, it is almost a ‘given’ that eventually its people will rise up in revolt against the physical violence and repression. But after years of this more subtle repression of ideas and influence, it is not a ‘given’ that its nation’s people will rise up in revolt.
We and our system of government fall under the spell of greed and money-power. “We the People” become slowly infected with a sort of attitude which says: “Well, there is really not much I can do about this,” or, “Things are not too bad, and I’m getting along OK,” or, “What the heck can I do against all these billions and trillions of dollars being thrown around?”
Last evening’s gathering on the subject of Israel and Palestine was an important step, for me, to once again attempt to speak out for what is right for America, right for “We the People,” and right for attempting to reclaim our democracy.
Bob McClellan
Polson
Thank you!
The Mission Valley Christian Academy is very grateful for the contributions of many local businesses and individuals for our senior trip and several spring fundraisers. Without support from these amazingly generous people, we would be unable to provide a great educational opportunity for the students of our valley.
In addition to our wonderful MVCA parents, many local businesses all gave generously to our senior trip to help the homeless teens of Portland. Clothing, food and water, toiletries, musical instruments and balls were all handed out by our seniors to other teens in need. Parents Kim Slack, Jodi Windauer and Sheila Lake were instrumental in helping organize and make this event a success. We would like to thank Cameron Milton, Roger Wallace and the Polson Bay Golf course for hosting the first annual Mel Mohler golf scramble this Friday. This is a great way for us to remember a great community member who loved students and golf. Mel was passionate about MVCA and his family would like to have this be a fundraiser for developing a golf program at MVCA.
Thanks again to all who have contributed to Christian education for our valley. Your help is deeply appreciated!!
Chris Bumgarner
Director, Mission Valley Christian Academy