Letters to the editor

Support Constitution

There is disingenuous talk about freedom and loyalty from our president and his cheering squad. They equate criticism of the president, his administration, or the military as disloyal, even traitorous. As our president strips civil liberties, he shows no loyalty to us and our system of law; meanwhile our Congress cravenly caves in. Most disturbing, many citizens proclaim their willingness to give up the very freedoms they claim we are fighting for in the futile hope of absolute security.

We are a free people for one reason only -- our Constitution. It is this document, not our president, our Congress, our courts, our flag, our wars, or our military that makes us a free people. It is the backbone of our system of government and provides us with the laws and rights that shield us from the excesses of that government. It is this document to which we owe respect and loyalty because it is the essence of the United States of America.

Contact our congressional delegation and demand that they restore habeas corpus and due process; repeal the Military Commissions Act; and close Guantanamo prison. Protect our Constitution; you never know when you may need it.

Sydney Taber

5432 Sahara Court

Pizzeria thanked

I work as a bus assistant on a school bus. One of our assistants recently passed away and I wanted to provide some food for the family. I decided to let the grieving family call Papa John's Pizza at their leisure and convenience for a pizza meal. I made arrangements for them to call, it would be delivered and I would pay later. I called to see what I owed and to my surprise was told Papa John's had taken care of it. What a generous thing to do. Support Papa John's Pizza.

Merle and Mona Bracken

3440 Wonder Drive

Cost of living

As I've read some of the letters arguing about the $80,000 figure that makes a family of four eligible for SCHIP in New York I was anxious to see some context. Seeing none, I checked out a Web site, salary.com, and entered a comparsion of $80,000.00 between Helena and New York. The result is that the cost of lliving in New York is 169.9 percent higher than Helena so one would have to earn $215,881 to maintain a current standard of living based on $80,000 in Helena. I realize that the figure of $80,000.00 for a family of four is not applicable for SCHIP in Montana, but I trust the point is made.

Tom Larson

2001 9th Ave.

Bert & Ernie's

I was a little sad to read Toby DeWolf is selling Bert & Ernie's. I grew up in Helena, and love to visit each summer and holiday season. Part of almost every trip is a meal at Bert & Ernie's. Toby himself had a lasting impact on my life: He was one of the leaders of Junior Achievement when I participated in the late '80s. His enthusiasm and the knowledge he shared sparked an interest business that eventually steered me into a very enjoyable career. I am sure I join many who wish Toby continued success and happiness in his next venture.

Todd Johnson

FPL Energy

Juno Beach, Florida

Better than nothing

Dr. Wise stated on Oct. 8 that "CHIP is socialized medicine, which is born on the backs of the medical community." He also maintains that the Medicare/CHIP allowable is never 100 percent. As far as I know, Dr. Wise, no private insurance company pays 100 percent -- they are always negotiating the allowable amount.

Also, does it not make sense to say (in the case of expanded CHIP) that 80 percent of something, is better than nothing at all?

Janine Hunt

P.O. Box 1287

Relatives sought

My name is Eric Simpson, born in Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland, and I am trying to locate any descendants of my ancestor William Simpson, who was born near Elgin on 16 July 1859. I do know that when his father James Simpson died in Elgin in 1902, William was working as a farm labourer in the United States. I believe that around 1940 his brother James Simpson visited William in Helena, Montana, and that this was the first time in 55 years that the two brothers had met. William was married and had several children, one of which was named Anne.

William had several nephews. One was Robert Simpson also born in Elgin and emigrated and became a farmer in Loon Lake Canada and was in contact with his uncle. Another was John Simpson, DCM, MM, a very highly decorated soldier in WW1. He was on his death a great and very public War Hero who was killed in action in 1917 in France.

I would be very grateful if any reader could assist me in my attempt to trace and living member of the William Simpson's family.

I can be contacted by email at eric.simpson@johnsondiversey.com or townheadgardens@yahoo.co.uk

Eric Simpson

6 Townhead Gardens

Inverurie

Aberdeenshire

Scotland