Supporters of two nonbinding referenda related to U.S. military actions can agree on at least one thing: It’s important that Helenans voice their views on the war in Iraq and the global war on terrorism.

“I just feel very strongly — as responsible citizens, we have the obligation to stand up and communicate with our government when we don’t agree with the direction the government is going,” said John Mundinger, one of the architects of a referendum asking Congress to order an immediate and orderly withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

“The main reason I think that we decided to put this on the ballot is that it gives the people in Helena a chance to express themselves,” said John Forbes, who helped write a referendum asking the government to support military forces “totally and without conditions” in the global war on terrorism.

Forbes and Mundinger, in a recent forum at Carroll College, also said they agree on something else: the public should support the troops. They just have different takes on the meaning of support.

For Forbes, support “without conditions” means Congress should provide the military with the funding it needs to be successful, without micromanaging decisions made by commanders and President Bush.

Mundinger, a Vietnam combat veteran, believes the country should show support for its troops by pulling them out of an unwinnable war. The notion that Iraq can become a free, democratic country serving as an ally in the fight against terrorism is a “pipe dream,” he has said.

Forbes said he’s motivated by a desire to give Helenans a chance to voice their support for the military, while Mundinger said legal protest is an American tradition. He pointed to the street marches that helped end the Vietnam War.

“The authority of government still rests with us,” Mundinger said.

Both hope their referenda will be heard.

“It might have some kind of effect on our national representatives,” Forbes said.

Butte-Silver Bow commissioners in June approved a troop-withdrawal resolution, and Missoula city officials have put a similar referendum before voters this fall.

Your vote, your voice

Proponents of two nonbinding referenda on this fall’s ballot say it’s important for citizens to voice their opinion in this democratic exercise.

Referendum 2007-1 asks city voters whether they’re for or against “urging the Congress of the United States to authorize and fund an immediate and orderly withdrawal of the United States military from Iraq.”

Referendum 2007-2 asks voters whether they’re for or against “urging the Congress of the United States to fund the United States military forces totally and without conditions in the global war on terror.”

Ballots to be mailed Friday

A $7.85 million parks-improvement bond, two nonbinding war referenda related to U.S. military efforts, two City Commission seats and the City Court bench are on the ballot in this fall’s mailbox election, along with district races for seats on the Helena Citizens Council.

Ballots will be mailed to registered voters Friday.

Late registration and voting has begun at the Clerk and Recorder’s Office in the City-County Building and will continue during business hours until 8 p.m. on Nov. 6. Mailed ballots must arrive at the office by Nov. 6.

For full coverage of all the issues in the election, go online to www.helenair.com and click on the “Elections 2007” logo at the top of the home page.

Reporter Larry Kline: 447-4075 or larry.kline@helenair.com