Letters to the Editor

Dog is innocent

As I sat having a relaxing evening Saturday at home with my two young children and my husband, my daughter looked out the window and says, "the police are here." A neighbor had accused our family pet of attacking their German shepherd and injuring it so badly that it needed surgery.

Let me tell you (whoever you are) that Gator is a 10-year-old St. Bernard/Lab. He is overweight and so crippled he can't even jump into the back of a truck or up on my bed. His teeth are loose due to a past injury and his age. He is not an aggressive dog.

I was at home all day Saturday and know he did not leave my property. Why are you are accusing my dog of this tragic act. Do you dislike my family this much, to make my children worry if something is going to happen to their wonderful pet? Maybe you should make sure of the description of the assailant before you go accusing someone.

I am sorry that your beloved animal was injured, and I hope he or she recovers, but I know that this was not at the paws of my dog Gator.

Kate Bakke

3586 Keir Ln.

Broadcast TV woes

What in the world is wrong with broadcast TV in this town?

Why can't they put out a good signal any more? It's not just one station, it's ALL of them. Are they planning on simply quitting broadcast TV altogether? So that you have to buy cable or satellite? Let's not forget that when you are forced to buy either of those options you will have to PAY extra in order to get your LOCAL stations. Isn't that a nice deal (not a question). Maybe we should just quit watching them altogether.

Lyle Myhr Jr.

4960 Silver Creek Road

Roberts not qualified

John Roberts is not qualified to be Chief Justice of the United States. Any Democrat that votes for Roberts should not be elected in the next election for Roberts, the minute he gets on the bench, will overturn Roe v. Wade. Let's start voting by our conscience and not for the Republican Party. Let's vote for the people of the United States and their interest, not for Bush's interest or the members of Congress.

Ms. Arlene Carlson

PO Box 6162

A life saver

It's been a couple of months since Billy Meachum suffered a "sudden-death heart attack" while working at the Wingate Inn of Helena. Billy's co-workers, namely Joel Platts, rushed to his aid and administered CPR, which reportedly saved his life. After some recovery time, Billy has resumed his duties at the hotel and continues to share his commitment and sense of humor. Those of us who work with him would like to express our sincere appreciation to St. Peter's Hospital Community Education Program for providing exceptional CPR training. We would also like to thank Peggy Stebbins and the paramedics who helped recognize Joel and Billy at our employee picnic. An extra special thank you goes to our mayor, Jim Smith, who made time on a Sunday afternoon to personally present a "Life Saver" award to Joel.

Michele Keeler

2007 N. Oakes

Helena thanked

I live in Missoula. Only days away from the Oct. 1 smoking ban, I write to send a thank you to the city of Helena for getting the ball rolling on a smoke-free Montana! Your example was instrumental. Though your smoking ban was short lived, it inspired many Montanans to dream of smoke-free workplaces, restaurants and schools. And, perhaps more importantly, it started a statewide discourse on the risk of second-hand smoke. Thank you for leading the way, Helena!

Holly Truitt

916 Kern

Missoula

End-of-life ethics

For the benefit of those who have been complaining about Dr. Trebon's decision to dis-invite Planned Parenthood from the end-of-life ethics conference at Carroll College, I will now explain the obvious about end-of-life ethics.

End-of-life ethics apply to people who have been allowed to have a life. What would the nation's biggest abortion provider know about that?

Greg Caffrey

P.O. Box 1485

Great science class

I was very fortunate over the past few days to be in the company of a great group of well-mannered students from Mr. Pederson's Capital High School Senior Science Seminar class. I spent Sunday and Monday with them in Glacier National Park while they investigated grizzly bear habitat and at the University of Montana'sYellow Bay Biological Station on Flathead Lake where they were exposed to current research at the world-class facility. It was a pleasure being around these students and watching them experience science the way it is taught best -- in the field. I want to encourage the school administration to continue to find ways to support field trips for the students and teachers because this is what teaching science is really about. Thank you, Mr. Pederson, Ms. Bosch, and your students, for a great experience!

Dave Donohue

8260 Buffalohorn Drive

Business will be missed

I witnessed, with a sad heart, another smile disappear from the face of Helena -- Sandy Newton. Her beloved business, The Photo Center, closed its doors today for good. In a world where change is inevitable, we are seeing big business displace our home town friends. It is so very hard to say goodbye to these trusted friends. We could always count on quality service, a friendly smile, ready advice and wonderful stories when we stepped into Sandy's place. For those of us who wanted to stretch beyond the everyday snap shot, Sandy encouraged us to live our dreams and follow our bliss. I am so grateful to you Sandy, and I will miss your store more than you know. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your years of devoted service to the Helena community.

Teri Garrison

6 Forest Park Drive

Clancy

What balance?

In all of the predictable hue and cry arising from Carroll's more "liberal and open-minded" faculty and students about the dis-invite of the Planned Parenthood rep from its recent life-issues forum, not one voice of concern or objection to the similar dis-invite of the "Catholic perspective" to be offered through the Montana Catholic Conference office. Perhaps with intent to maintain "balance and fairness" in their discussions, forum organizers deemed it OK, in the interest of "academic freedom," to silence both sides of the issues, rather than provide an unfair platform for one. Interesting thinking and logic on the part of those organizers!

Given such mentality ... there is good reason for concern and worry about continuation of Carroll's national posture as a leading "liberal" arts college!

Gerry Kuhl

1908 Beltview Drive