Letters to the Editor

Wrong on stem cells

Sen. Burns and Rep. Rehberg voted against funding for embryonic stem cell research. At the expense of finding cures for many diseases and disabilities, they support the agenda of extremist, evangelical demagogues like Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and James Dobson, who seek nothing less than complete domination of the most intimate aspect of American's lives.

If you value traditional American ideals such as freedom, justice and progress, weigh these issues before you vote. Even if you are devoutly religious, consider carefully if you wish to live in a Republican-sponsored theocracy, where the only opinions that count are those of the few extremist, self-righteous evangelical demagogues, no matter how illogical and self-defeating such opinions may be.

Putting a frozen clump of cells that will never become a person above the lives of people who are now living and suffering with diseases and debilitating injuries that can be cured through embryonic stem cell research is not a very "pro-life" stance. At the expense of progress and our health, Burns and Rehberg are promoting a pious, extremist agenda. If you prefer reasonable leaders who will honestly work to protect our health and freedom, please vote for John Tester and Monica Lindeen.

Donald Ford Jones

P.O. Box 635

Down on Burns

I am proud to be a Democrat, moderate liberal -- but I resent TV ads saying I am a radical or extremist because support Tester.

My first experience of being around Burns was when he was guest speaker at the Grain Growers Wheat and Research Banquet in Great Falls. All Burns did was stand up there telling off-color jokes. That was about 40 years ago, and his mouth has not been cleaned out yet.

Almost everything done in this country that is food for us has been done by Democrats.

Margaret Johnson

528 Highland

Vote for Hogan

In Montana's last legislative session a school anti-bullying bill (SB 198) was introduced and failed in the House by one vote, cast by Scott Mendenhall. I asked Scott about his vote and he said in part that "it ignores that kids will be kids." When do "kids being kids" learn to become monsters who behead dogs with chainsaws or feel it's O.K. to rape innocent victims? A 2002 report from the U.S. Secret Service stated that "harassment and bullying have been linked to 70 percent of school shootings." Fortunately the Montana Board of Public Education had the common sense to require schools to require anti-bullying policies, following the Legislature's failure to do so. It's time for common sense again and that's why I'm voting for Sheila Hogan in HD 77.

Bruce Desonia

Box 561

Liberal and proud

If you are not a liberal, why do you hate liberals?

The non-liberals would have you believe they are the good guys and the liberals bad guys.

So I looked up "liberal" in the dictionary and found that a liberal is open-minded, generous, bountiful, open-handed, warm-hearted and has common sense.

Oh yes, now I see why the closed-minded, greedy, cold-hearted, conservative people are different from liberals. I am proud to be a liberal. Are you?

Walter R. Bauer

4390 1/2 N. Montana Avenue

Where's the outrage?

Along with about 35 others I attended a showing of the documentary, "The Ground Truth."

It reveals the emotionally moving truth about the immoral Iraq war and the soldier trapped in it. The film helps one understand how recruits are turned into dehumanized killers. One would think that responsible patriotic citizens would want to be informed, but why did so few attend this well publicized event?

Where were the patriots? Where were the pro-lifers? Where were the youth of recruiting age? Where were the thousands of Alive-at-Five party lovers? Where were the millions of sport fans whose ultimate concern is the big game on the weekend? Where were the millions of Christians who sit in the pews every Sunday, but don't understand that Jesus would be outraged and would be protesting this war?

It must be that Americans don't want to know.

Everyone should see this film. It should be shown in every high school in the land.

It is not too late! The next showing is on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in 119 O'Connell, Carroll College.

W. Rea Knight

553 State Street

Why to change vote

Mr Rainey, you are correct! One shouldn't change their vote because of Mr. Foley's escapades. And you are correct President Clinton did lie to the American people and was impeached for it.

One should change their vote because of the six years of lies and deceit by the Republicans and this administration. Iraq, Foley, lobbyist scandal, "mission accomplished," building a theocracy, on and on and on. The "moral" party?

Bob Cypers

6635 Sleeping Giant View

Look at character

If you intend to vote next month, it would be foolish to make your decision based solely on those 30-second campaign ads. The ads are nothing more than mudslinging and half-truths.

Take the initiative and know who you are voting for. A candidate is known mainly by his or her voting record. The way an elected official votes reveals their character and integrity.

If you can't access a voting record or it doesn't give you a clear picture, there is another way. Contact the special interest groups that represent your values, and see who they endorse. Traditionally you will find groups like Planned Parenthood, unions, anti-gun lobbies, homosexual support groups and environmental activist endorsing liberal candidates. On the other other side of the issue, you will find groups like the NRA, the Christian Coalition, the Traditional Values Coalition, Montana Right to Life, and a variety of sportsman's groups who endorse conservative candidates. Educate thyself, don't vote against a man because he has a big mouth or a big belly. Vote on the merits of the man's character.

Jerry Lamping

P.O. Box 637

East Helena

Backs Liedle

I encourage all Lewis and Clark County voters to re-elect Cheryl Liedle as sheriff this November. Cheryl is a Montana native who has many years of law enforcement experience. She has proven herself to be a competent and effective leader. She is highly involved in our local community and genuinely cares for the people of this county. Her opponent Bill Lumma is a retired research scientist from Pennsylvania who has only resided in Lewis and Clark County for five years, and has no law enforcement experience. The only things I have seen or heard from Mr. Lumma are his impersonal billboards and his continuous letters to the editor. And if you are planning to vote for him based on his Republican ticket, please reconsider. I will be voting Republican for every office but this one. With Cheryl as our sheriff, we can all be sure that we are in the good hands of someone looking out for us and our community, and not someone in office simply to push their own agenda.

Ashley Martin

121 E 13th Street

Enough amendments

I am unqualifiedly opposed to another amendment to the state constitution until the state and the courts in particular have caught up with those we have.

Roger Scott

4071 Fox Hollow

Cut amendments

I am unqualifiedly opposed to another amendment to the state constitution until the state and the courts in particular have caught up with those we have.

Roger Scott

4071 Fox Hollow

A kind vote

I went to the Senate debate last week in Helena. Aside from the hot stuffy atmosphere, caused by the large attendance, the mood was positive and up beat, and the audience polite. The candidates appeared to be going through the motions, since they have done this so often. Tester has a quick mind and offered some zinging rejoinders.

But Sen. Burns seemed to be under stress, especially when asked about the Abramoff investigation. His face turned red, he began to stutter, and his answers avoided the question. This is not a good sign. He is worried, not just about the election, but about what my be lurking out there and what that will do to his future.

From a variety of sources we know that he is a subject in a larger investigation. He knows what he has done, and it may be beginning to haunt him. For his place in history, wouldn't it be better to lose the election, fair and square, than to win, only to have resign in disgrace when/if his is indicted?

For his sake, be kind to Conrad ... vote for Tester.

Norma Jean Kelly

7683 Highway 12 West

Backs Tester

I'm 79 years old, a native Montanan, a veteran of WWII and a retired state employee. I will vote for Jon Tester for U.S. Senate for several reasons. I was raised by families in Scobey (McDowell) and Fort Benton (Roudebush). These families had something that is sorely lacking these days. They had pride and integrity. I want to vote for someone who demonstrates those same qualities. I know Jon Tester. He, like most farmers, is hard working, honest, caring and -- he has integrity. Those are valuable qualities now-a-days. If you value those qualities, I ask you to join me in voting or Jon Tester. He will take those qualities to Washington.

Donald L. Coburn

P.O. Box 92

East Helena

A bad dream

I turned on my TV and thought I was having a nightmare. Racicot was on the tube telling everyone to vote for Burns because Conrad has honest Montana "values." Like a curse haunting us, Racicot is back with cynical spin in support of his crony Burns. As governor, Racicot stuck Montanans with dereg and was later rewarded with an Enron lobbyist job. Enron's crimes and Montana dereg have cost the public $Billions with no end in sight. But Racicot has done quite well for himself. Meanwhile, Conrad became the puppet of lobbyist and convicted felon Abramoff with Washington deals that did nothing for Montana. Via money from Abramoff Burns changed his vote to protect a sweatshop in the Mariana Islands that exploited women. I didn't think shipping American jobs to offshore sweatshops that abused labor were part of Montana "values." The insidious and sometimes illegal connections between venal politicians and crooked lobbyists have corrupted our democracy and violated the voter's trust. Unfortunately this dark side of politics only lines the pockets of greedy insiders serving themselves and special interests at the public expense. It's time to put Burns out to pasture. Jon Tester has the real integrity needed to represent Montana.

John Smart

125 Humbolt