Letters to the Editor

Dems and Abramoff

Michael Rissman's letter seems to indicate he believes and trying to sell the current Democratic Party's whining points. One only has to read the AP article to get some idea of Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid's involvement with Abramoff's lobbying operation. Not only did Reid get money from Abramoff's operation ($68,000), but Reid intervened to help Abramoff on several different occasions. Tit for tat? Hard to believe this is a "Republican scandal" that somehow taints Sen. Burns.

Why is this important to Montana? Well, if you check Sen. Baucus's voting record you will see he votes not for Montana but how Harry Reid tells him to most of the time. Just the other week, Sen. Baucus initially voted to confirm Judge Alito until word came down from the top and Baucus changed his vote on the Senate floor. As for being involved with lobbyists, let's not forget that the previous Democratic Senate Leader that told "our" Sen. Baucus how to vote, Tom Daschle, was sleeping with a lobbyist much of the time he was in the Senate.

Bob Sims

1554 N. Highway 69

Boulder

Indian health

Another silent crisis. President Bush has proposed eliminating the entire Urban Indian Health Program as part of his budget strategy. His budget strategy eliminates services to thousands of individuals who may not seek care elsewhere, an increase in the health care disparity for Indians and the near annihilation of a body of medical and cultural knowledge addressing the unique cultural and medical needs of the urban Indian population held almost exclusively by the Urban Indian Health Program. Already, Heart Butte Pharmacy has cut pharmacy services to urban Indians in the Great Falls, Helena, and Butte areas. That means no medication. fortunately, pharmaceutical companies re donating some medications to the Leo Pocha Clinic for now. As an urban Indian living in your community, I heavily rely on the services provided by the local clinic. Without their services, my life would be incredibly far more difficult than what it is today. Please help.

Shawn White Wolf

2580 Lincoln Road East

Mont. stuff sought

My name is Shawn Donaldson. I am a fifth grade student from Napa Valley Language Academy in California. I have chosen to research the state of Montana for my state report. I will be doing an oral presentation and displaying interesting items that came from the people of Montana.

I am looking for people to send me tourist maps, post cards, souvenirs, photos of your state capitol, state bird or other important or interesting buildings or parks in your state. Thank you for your help, and I look forward to hearing about the awesome facts about your state.

Shawn Donaldson

C/O Maestra Llamas-Cruz

Fifth grade teacher

2700 Kilburn Ave.

Napa, CA 94588

Support soldiers

Having read several recent "letters to the editor" on the unpopularity of the War in Iraq, I feel compelled to comment. Thank God we live in a country where the freedom to express our opinions is guaranteed by a constitution that was won by people willing to die for what they believed in. War is not popular, it is war. Living in the generation of the Vietnam War, I have witnessed first hand the devastating effects of "unpopular war" in the lives of the Vietnam veterans. Those of us old enough to remember can easily still see the rock throwing, cursing and spitting on, of our brave soldiers returning from an unpopular war. So, whether we agree with our country's involvement in Iraq or not, let's tell our brave sons and daughters how proud we are of them and their sacrifice when we welcome them home.

David Patrick

2003 Townsend Avenue

Fly on, gov

It is such a welcome relief, after nearly 20 years of head-in-the-sand Republican leadership, to finally have a governor who is proactive and interested in seeing what lies beyond the borders of the second floor of the Capitol building and the back lounge of the Colonial Inn.

While it is understandable that Mr. Ohs now realizes he squandered his potential political opportunities playing second fiddle to lap dog Judy, that is little justification for him to try to detract from the honest, sincere and progressive, forward thinking action by Gov. Schweitzer. His sour grapes dialogue is best kept in the dank confines of his paper shredding business.

The people of Montana have been stifled for nearly two decades by the ilk of Mr.'s Ohs, Lewis and Racicot, et.al. It is time that they step aside and give some forward thinking people the opportunity to try and revive what the past two decades have put asunder. Fly on governor, and good luck! Continue to make us proud.

Dave Anderson

Box 982

East Helena

Writing on the wall

The writing has been placed on the wall many times over the years by many people. Some were great people of their time, others were considered great people as time rolled on. Much has been said about the Patriot Act in recent times. Twelve years ago I placed the writing on the wall. Since then it has been published and reprinted in many places alongside writings from many notable people such as Hunter S. Thompson, John F. Kennedy and Thomas Jefferson, just to name a few.

When they took the 4th Amendment,

I was quiet because I didn't deal drugs.

When they took the 6th Amendment,

I was quiet because I am innocent.

When they took the 2nd Amendment,

I was quiet because I don't own a gun.

Now they have taken the 1st Amendment,

and I can only be quiet.

Lyle Charles Iver Myhr Jr.

4960 Silver Creek Road

Thanks for support

On behalf of the swimmers and parents involved with competitive swimming in our area, we want to express appreciation for a number of people. Thanks to Shane Syndergaard, head coach of Helena Lions Swim Team and Helena and Capital High swim teams. Shane needs to be commended for his dedication to the sport, and for his efforts in building his teams to a level which will support competitive swimming in this area for many years. He has helped swimmers value sportsmanship, teamwork, perseverance, self-discipline, school, and family. His assistant coaches deserve thanks as well.

Thank you also to the principal of Helena High, Don Wood-Foucar. For the past two years, Mr. Wood-Foucar has given of his own personal time and resources, and has traveled to the High School Championships in Great Falls and Hardin to support the Helena High swimmers.

Finally, thanks to the IR for covering our swim meets, and to Mr. Curt Synness for his excellent reporting on the history of swimming in Helena, and for recognizing the many talented and hard-working swimmers who deserve our time and attention.

Lorraine Behr-Formaz and Peter C. Formaz

2618 Gold Rush Avenue