Letters to the Editor

Expand CHIP

We are very troubled at the uncertain fate of Senate Bill 22 which would provide quality health insurance to children in families who earn up to 200 percent above the federal poverty line. This translates to about $34,340 for a family of three. The Children's Health Insurance Program in other states, like New Jersey, provides for families earning up to 350 percent of the federal poverty line.

Each and every one of us who cares about the wellbeing of the children in the state of Montana should be supporting this bill. Why should political differences prevent a deserving child from getting adequate medical care? In our pediatric practice we have seen heart wrenching situations where a child with a serious illness is not brought sooner to medical attention due to lack of health insurance.

The often repeated mantra about market forces and the free market being the answer to health care problems will not solve today's health crises.

Legislators, please remember that your decision regarding Senate Bill 22 can mean the difference in the wellbeing of children across Montana. Voters please pay close attention to this issue and ask your legislator for their support.

Tess Augustine, MD

Blayne Fritz, MD

Erin Keefe, MD

Michael Palcisko, MD

Jack Reynolds, MD

Mary Hutchison, pediatric nurse practitioner

1122 N. Montana Avenue

Earth Day event

Today is Earth Day, and S.A.V.E. invites everyone to a celebration at Carroll College (rain or shine) from 12-4 p.m. It will include the music of local student musicians and The Third Wheels, speakers, exhibits, games, Helena's first slackline competition, and, most importantly, a positive celebration of what we all can do to protect the planet!

The speakers will be: Steve Loken, a nationally recognized alternative building specialist; Sen. John Brueggeman, R-Polson, one of Montana's strongest biodiesel advocates; PSC member Bob Raney, a tireless proponent for a cleaner environment; and George Ochenski, a widely published Montana writer, former environmental, tribal, and state parks lobbyist and long-time alpinist.

There will be exhibits and booths hosted by the sponsors.

S.A.V.E. also will collect rinsed, lid-free type 1 and type 2 plastic containers during the event. The celebration is free and open to the public. Donations will help S.A.V.E. make plastics recycling sustainable in our community. More information can be found online at Savemobile.org

Be Happy, Be Green, Earth Day Helena 2007!

Steph Knisley, Board of Directors

S.A.V.E. Foundation 501(c)(3)

P.O. Box 1481

Turning other cheek

Mr. Shanahan makes some good points. Did not the Clinton administration placate the Muslim fanantics during the 1990s? What did that get the U.S.? They attacked the World Trade Center in 1993 and we turned the other cheek.

They attacked the Kohbar Towers in Saudi Arabia killing 17 Air Force personnel (some of them stationed at Malmstrom AFB) and we turned the other cheek. They attacked the USS Cole killing 17 sailors and we turned the other cheek.

Turning the other cheek is a noble Christian thing to do, but how many times does a president of the United States turn the other cheek to avoid leading this nation to an all-out war against those bent on killing ALL OF US? I'd really hate to see what would have happened had Bill Clinton's vice president, Al Gore, won the 2000 presidential election.

We are keeping them off balance fighting them in Afghanistan and Iraq which is preventing them from mustering the resources to strike this nation again. What will the next 9/11 look like, a dirty bomb, a nuke, or even bio/chem? I, for one, don't want to chance it. This "get out of Iraq" deal is nothing more than "we hate President Bush."

Steven Lodahl

2553 Southridge

Slacklining meet

ClimbHelena.com will be hosting Helena's first slacklining competition today from noon to 4 p.m. as part of S.A.V.E.'s Earth Day Helena festivities at the Carroll College commons area.

Slacklining has existed in the climbing community for some time and as been becoming more mainstream over the last few years. The sport is like tight rope walking, but done with climbing gear, specifically climbing webbing (around 1 inch wide). The slackline can range from a few feet just above the ground, to setups that spans canyons. It is a traditional pastime for climbers to practice balance and display style when not on the rock.

Qualifying rounds will be open from noon to 3 p.m., with finals for those who advance starting at 3 p.m. More details are at ClimbHelena.com or by calling Kyle at 431-1871. Volunteers to help with the event are still needed and a beginner, practice line will be available.

ClimbHelena.com is a nonprofit effort to expand climbing opportunities in Helena.

Kyle K. Perkins, co-chair

ClimbHelena.com

P.O. Box 1481

To the point

Dear Helena drivers n turn into your own lane.

Thank you,

Aliselina Strong

2525 Ferndale

Bike stolen

I would like to ask for the help of the Helena community. Sometime between April 7 and April 14, I either left my wife's bicycle outside or left my garage unlocked, the former being the most likely. Regardless, the bike disappeared. This was a special gift to her from me; she doesn't care for flowers much. The bike is a Haro V4 Black and silver in color. If we could get this returned we would be most grateful. I'm offering a $100 finders fee for its safe return. Absolutely, no questions will be asked. We have the serial number for comparison so we don't end up with someone else's bike.

Steve Peterson

1814 Missoula Avenue

Same wrong argument

This is a rebuttal to Ward Shanahan's Your Turn of April 17 -- "Why we can't get out of Iraq." Firstly: He is maintaining the same erroneous argument the administration has: which is basically "defeat them there, instead of here." Defeat what? Win what? How can you possibly win against a worldwide ideology? Neither he, nor the president, has clearly defined "winning." Mr. Shanahan admits that radical Islamists cover the globe -- they are scattered and integrated into societies in every continent. (Why they hate us is a separate debate.) However, the question is raised: How can military force change such a widespread ideology? Logic tells most that only communication, negotiation and agreement can bring changes that are amenable to all. Also, how do you know that changing our course in Iraq would lead to catastrophe? On the contrary, it could prove to be a positive move. Conclusion: Staying in Iraq when many, if not most, Iraqis want us out is nonsensical. And the current "surge" is already proving to be a disappointment. Therefore, I hope all Helenans will add their vote to send a message of disapproval to the president and Congress.

Janine Hunt

PO Box 1287

Seat belt law

I am deeply disappointed with the House of Representative's failure to pass SB 300. Protecting people is a legitimate function of government, which is why assault, rape, and other forms of physical violence are against the law. The violence in even a low-speed crash can be deadly: in a 30 mph crash, a 200-pound unrestrained person will exert 600 pounds of force on whatever or whomever is in his/her path. It could be the dashboard, windshield, or, if I'm a passenger in the vehicle, ME.

All other traffic codes in Montana are subject to primary enforcement. Putting the seat belt law on a par with the other traffic codes will not mean law enforcement will suddenly be diverted from addressing all other issues and only write seat belt tickets!

The primary accomplishment of a primary belt law is psychological ... many people are more motivated by the possibility of a ticket than they are by a potential crash, and will therefore buckle up.

Arguments about personal freedom arouse emotion and distract people from the facts. Laws are designed not just to protect the rights and freedoms of individuals, but to protect the individual from harmful outside forces.

Let's press for reconsideration and passage of SB 300.

Lorelle Demont

1909 5th Avenue