Letters to the Editor

Seniors and Carroll

It's true: the more things change, the more they change. Things like classes at Carroll College. (This is my 51st year of such classes.) For instance, U.S. history no longer starts in 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue. It starts some 12,000 years before that! And Professor Swartout's enlightened lectures have become downright erudite.

Beginning Spanish no longer means learning about Spanish grammar; it means learning to speak Spanish from day one. No English allowed in class.

Alas, ancient Greek is still Greek to me. But this too is changing because of Carroll's new guru of Greek, Professor Don Jacques.

The "look" constantly changes: jeans that fit around the waist have long been passé. You might try looking less antiquated by wearing flip-flops and painting your toenails iridescent blue or green. (It is no longer necessary to bare your belly button each time you raise your hand, but you must wear at least three layers of camisoles and/or shirts.)

So, seniors, spiff up your wardrobes before spring semester at Carroll -- Jan. 14, 2008 -- and sign up for the best deal in town: only $50 a class. Hundreds of classes! About 100 accomplished professors -- not a panjandrum among 'em!

Diana S. Dowling

519 N. Rodney

Rehberg on trucks

During my August listening sessions, I heard Montanans voice their opposition to the latest attempt by the Bush administration to allow Mexican truckers to operate within the U.S. This program poses a threat to American truckers, businesses, and the security of our nation's families.

There are several basic requirements to be met before this program is allowed to move forward. First, we haven't fully ensured that this proposal won't compromise our nation's security. Knowing who is coming into our country is vital to protecting America. Additionally, if Mexican truckers want to benefit from American services, they need to be required to speak our language, period. Finally, these trucks need to be held to the same standards to which we hold American trucks and our American trucks need reciprocal access throughout Mexico. Until we're able to ensure these standards, the administration shouldn't be moving this risky program forward.

In May, my House colleagues and I successfully took legislative action to halt this proposal. The Senate has yet to act on it. I strongly urge the Senate to do their part in getting the legislation to the president's desk and telling him: "Sorry, Mr. President, but your plan is just plain wrong."

Denny Rehberg

Montana's Congressman

Car tax runaround

I recently received my vehicle registration notice and went into sticker shock. I purchased the vehicle three years ago, and my vehicle registration says it is now worth more than I paid (am paying) for it.

So, I went to the Kelly Blue Book site and looked up the "retail" value of the vehicle. The state is valuing this vehicle 58 percent higher than its actual value! That's almost like paying taxes on two vehicles, when I only own one.

When I got on the phone, I immediately started getting the runaround. The county treasurer referred me to the motor department who wouldn't even take my call for over an hour, but when they did, I was referred to Deer Lodge, put on hold and eventually told they couldn't handle my call just leave my number at the tone. No call back!

Next day I try again. I get a real person and when I point out that the system is broken, I'm told: "Well, there's nothing I can do about it, that's the way the law is written. If you don't like it, call your legislator." We're waiting to see how that pans out.

Greg Maxwell

824 Ave. C

Billings

Show respect

My mom went to the doctor for a checkup. She is now 74 years old. When the receptionist called her, she said "Rose," (my mom's first name) and again the receptionist yelled, "Rose," as if she was calling a friend across the room at Burger King. Listen up doctors in Helena: Train your front office workers to have respect for all the moms in this town. Call them by Mrs. and the last name.

Cathy Barber

PO Box 9515

Gambling

corruption

History testifies that wherever legalized gambling proliferates, corruption follows. This is particularly obvious in U.S. professional sports, and raises awareness of gaming-related malfeasance in Montana.

In the past year, hockey star Rick Tocchet pleaded guilty to operating an illegal betting operation. Everyone knows Atlanta Falcons' Michael Vick and his animal-abuse case. Few are aware that illegal gambling is sinking his career for keeps.

Tim Donaghy of the National Basketball Association pleaded guilty last week to betting on 20 games he officiated.

There is not room here to mention all the recent worldwide corruption in college sports, figure skating, soccer and tennis.

Professional sports leagues know that gambling blemishes their activities and are making expensive efforts to sustain their integrity.

Prolific gambling always taints our society. Its obvious effects in the national sports scene calls my attention to gambling-related corruption in Montana. When I see governments not enforcing laws that would reduce gambling's harms, allowing questionable gambling licenses, and not effectively treating the hurts gambling brings to tens of thousands of our fellow citizens, I realize gambling produces deterioration here too.

Ben Forsyth

900 9th Street South

Great Falls