Letters to the Editor

Kindergarten

My wife and I are the proud parents of a 5 year old who is equally proud at the thought of attending, "Big Kid School," this fall, or as the rest of the world knows it, "Kindergarten."

I for one wasn't sure what to think of the full day everyday Kindergarten debate. I thought back to my time in Kindergarten when everybody went for what seemed like an eternal half day. Then we met at Eastgate school with the principal, Mr. Joe McMahon and the other families of prospective kindergartners. It was there that it was explained to us that if we chose to send our children to full day everyday kindergarten vs. full day every other day the curriculum wouldn't necessarily be increased, there would simply be more time to expand and enhance upon an already existing well rounded core.

While we all know, there are standards that need to be met by the school district when educating our children, you can't ignore reality. Although completely unintentional, the children are going to determine the level at which a class excels and the time it takes to arrive at that level. By providing two seemingly identical groups of children with the same academic goal, but two dissimilar means of achieving that goal, won't we end up with two dissimilar outcomes?

We, the parents of the children have a choice by which means we want our children to arrive at first grade. I wonder by which means the legislators would choose for their own children.

Justin Greve

3185 Wheatland Drive

Tennis support

The Helena Invitational Tennis Tournament was held this past weekend with 16 teams participating from across the state. This tournament is the largest high school tennis tournament in the State of Montana and included 13 "AA" and 3 "A" high schools. This would not have been possible without the help of the following individuals: Patsy Peach, Bobb Lawrence, Kevin and Caneda Quinn, Tony Jewett, Joan Miles, Barb Harris, Dick and Jan Bouchee, Dave Fine, Theresa and Bryon Stahly, Darwin Simac and Tim Meloy.

We would like to thank them for their generous time they volunteered and their efforts that made this event a huge success.

We would also like to thank the Last Chance Tennis Center and Jackson Creek Saloon.

Lance Bouchee and the Helena High Tennis Program

912 N. Fee

Another way

As the "war on terror" continues to create more terror, fear and pain for thousands of people in Iraq, Afghanistan, the United States and many other places in the world, I suggest you read Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson (mountaineer and resident of Bozeman) and David Oliver Relin. If you want to be inspired and are looking for ways to build global peace without violence, this riveting page-turner will lead you to many possibilities. The Web site, www.threecupsoftea.com explains this true story about "ones man's mission to promote peace ... one school at a time." After a failed attempt to reach the summit Pakistan's K-2, the world's second highest mountain, in 1993, Greg Mortenson began efforts to build a school in a remote mountain village. "By 2007, he has established over 58 schools through his non-profit, Central Asia Institute, which provides education to over 24,000 children..."

I can't help but think that had we aimed high when the Peace Corps was established in 1961 and strove to fund that corps at the level we now fund our military budget, we, the U.S., and in fact the whole world would not be in the mess we are in today.

Sue Kronenberger

422 S. Davis

DECA thanks

Helena High School DECA would like to give a huge thank you to some very special businesses and individuals in the community who graciously donated resources to purchase 23 official DECA jackets! Each jacket, which must be purchased through the National DECA office, cost $75 each. As we approached our state conference with students, we only had 24 jackets. Thanks to these businesses, each and every one of us looked and consequently acted exceptionally professional at the Montana Career Development Conference! Many of us are getting ready to attend the International DECA Conference in Orlando where the jackets are required business professional attire for our oral presentations. We admire and ask Helena to especially support the following businesses for their willingness to, without hesitation, support us; Small Business Development Center (especially Dan Anderson!), Downtown Business Improvement District, Mountain West Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Northwestern Energy, The Optimists Club, Crowley Law Firm, Bank of the Rockies, Valley Bank, American Federal and the Wingate Inn.

Thomas Burnett, Mackenzie Clark, Mckenzie Farrell, Lindsey Holliday, Erica Kresge and Helena High School DECA Members

Not represented

Rep. Mendenhall didn't represent me. I am one of just a handful of city residents within the northern edge of his House district, and I am mortified at the behavior of the House majority. Their childish, profane, and abusive actions over the course of the session are an embarrassment on the national level to all Montanans. That my representative supported and participated in these actions is simply unacceptable.

I want representation in the House that advocates for our interests, and is not simply driven by egos and juvenile tantrums. Rep Mendenhall, if you don't publicly condemn and distance yourself from the events of the last several months, I am confident that you will not be back in 2009 to repeat your blind allegiance to smaller, mean-spirited minds.

Art Compton

17 Mueller Court

Vote for levies

East Helena Schools are holding two levy elections this year, a general fund levy of $91,000 and a technology levy for $98,000. I was a librarian in the East Helena Schools for 20 years prior to my retirement five years ago. This spring I am back part time in the same library. East Helena Schools have always operated on a very "bare-bones" budget. There are needed repairs that have had to wait and things that need updated that haven't been. One thing that has not suffered is the dedication of the staff and administration.

I no longer live in the East Helena district, but the schools and their students remain near and dear to my heart. I am encouraging you to vote for these levies. The total cost of both for an owner of a $200,000 home would be $70 a year.

The legislature is still in session as I write this, so we do not know what they will do about school funding. Your vote in favor of the levies gives the schools the right to request those tax dollars if they need them. Should the legislature fund schools as needed, these taxes will not be collected.

Shirley I. Thomas

844 Expedition Trail

Squabbling

As a mother of three small children, I personally would like to see a universal child health care plan so that hard-working Montanans like my husband and I don't have to pay over $400 a month to cover our children's insurance needs.

I would like to see Republicans find a way to make good ideas like SB 22 work. This bill leverages more federal dollars to the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This plan is supported by Governor Schweitzer and it strengthens CHIP by making more children eligible (up to 175 percent above the federal poverty level) able to use it.

I'm tired of the Republican squabbling about what Governor Schweitzer has or has not done. It's always been apparent where the governor's priorities lie. The question is whether the legislators we elected to represent us and our children are hedging over where their lobbyist interests lie. Let's stop the bickering and get back to the job at hand.

Governor Schweitzer has made it no secret that his top health care priority this year is renewing and expanding the CHIP to bring more and better health coverage to more Montana kids. Thank you, governor, for working for Montana Kids. Keep up the good work!

Tiffany Tracy

1618 Elaine St.

Billings

Letter to Lange

Open letter to Republican House Majority Leader Representative Michael Lange:

I had an opportunity to view the entire video of your incredibly low class presentation to your Republican Caucus. In front of student observers no less.

How do you think the country and the average citizen views your vile and hostile tirade? Is that what you think is proper conduct for a House Majority Leader?

It is one thing to have those feelings and express them in private to select people and entirely different to expose that vulgarity and lack of statesmanship in your role. Is it any wonder the average citizen has no respect for our politicians? You certainly lost mine.

If you believe so highly of honor, then you should resign. That was and is unforgivable.

Stoney Burk

P.O. Box 1019

Choteau

Lange, step down

Rep Lange: Sir,you have embarassed yourself, your district, your party and indeed the entire State of Montana. Your "playground rules" version of statesmanship shows you have neither an understanding of decorum nor anything but the vaguest notion of the service you were elected to perform. Common decency, Sir, requires you vacate immedietly your leadership role to make room for someone who has A: a better grasp of the meaning of legislative responsibility and B: the maturity to act accordingly.

Greg Chart

624 First St.

Too serious

I have a suggestion for the Montana Senate and House of Representatives when they meet in special session in June: don't take yourselves so seriously.

Despite what you may think, the universe doesn't revolve around the happenings of the Montana Legislature.

The 14th century Persian poet and Sufi master Hafiz expressed this truth when he said, "I am a hole in a flute that the Christ's breath moves through."

George L. Bousliman

673 S Montana

Wasting time

If I worked for someone who had hired me to do a specific job in 90 days and I failed to do that job, I wouldn't be paid. I would be fired. This Legislature has not done their job, will probably require at least another 30 days to attempt it, and we're the ones having to foot the bill. I am tired of this. Just do the job you're paid to do. Put a budget in place, pay for the programs that need to be paid for, give back what you can to the people (even if it's a one-time deal only, it's better than nothing, trust me, I could show you my list of how I would use that money) and put some away for a rainy day. That's how regular people are supposed to handle their money. Stop wasting our time and money and just get the job done.

Michelle Golden

3 Fiesta Court

East Helena

Vocabulary lessons

Thanks to House Majority Leader Michael Lange for personally demonstrating the need to fund education and in particular full-day kindergarten this past week. This is in reference to his behavior and the list of expletives used in front of the Republican Caucus on April 25. It is in full-day kindergarten that the highly qualified teachers of Montana will teach carefully crafted lessons, and students will begin to develop the vocabulary needed to learn what being a leader is really all about. Obviously Rep. Lange needs a few explicit vocabulary lessons, given he is representing the people of Montana in a high-profile leadership role. The students of Montana deserve the attention and support of this Montana legislature. When it comes time for them to lead this state, hopefully they will do it with poise, grace, honor and true statesmanship.

Karol Gustin

2714 Gold Rush Ave.

It's our money

With a billion dollar surplus, why do Democrats find it so hard to return less than a third of that to Montanans in permanent tax relief? It's our money, not the state's. Republicans want to provide $300 million in permanent tax relief to Montana taxpayers. President Kennedy implemented permanent tax relief because he knew it would stimulate the economy, resulting in higher tax revenues for the federal government. Reagan and Bush followed Kennedy's example and now the DOW's soared over 13,000 and the deficit is rapidly shrinking. Permanent tax relief works. Why can't the Democrats understand that concept? Taxing and spending never works. The Republicans must stand firm and provide Montanans permanent tax relief; bring on the special session!

Michael L. Hashisaki

P.O. Box 10

Plains

Potty talk, etc.

Potty talk: Inability to work together: Inability to play by the rules: Poor problem solving skills: Refusal to complete assignments: Taking their toys and going home. It appears that some of our legislators might benefit from full-day kindergarten.

Deborah Jacobsen

11 Lupine Lane

Clancy

Bad behavior

Once again the state legislature and the people of Montana have been subjected to the abhorrent behavior of Billings Representative Michael Lange.

His actions throughout the session were divisive and insulting to those around him and this style of demeanor is not needed when conducting the people's business.

I also found it disturbing that there was applause in the Republican caucus after his tirade when young pages were present. What kind of example is he setting? Very poor, I would say.

I congratulate Governor Schweitzer for behaving and responding like a gentleman under the circumstances.

Annabelle Richards

2412 Columbia Ave.

There or here?

The other day, two friends and I were discussing the Iraqi situation. They, being staunch Democrats, were denouncing Bush's policy over in Iraq. I ask them what their preference was, having our armed forces fight Islamic radicals over in Iraq and Afghanistan or fighting them, here in our own country. Almost in unison, they exclaimed "no way, It could never happen here.!"

How soon do Democrats forget? "911 never happened! I'm astounded that people are so naive that they believe 911 will never again happen.

I have no doubt that radicals are still scheming to attack us, anywhere in the world, especially here. The only reason we haven't had any further attacks here, is that it is far easier to do over there. It's just a matter of time. They believe it is alright to cause the death of other innocent people, so long as they are able to kill Americans too.

Democrats; instead of spending your time disavowing 911 and condemning President Bush, you should be watching certain higher politicians such as Clinton, Kerry and Polosi to make sure we keep our guns, so we will be able to fight, when we are attacked at home, once again.

Alan Rainey

2212 Black Alder Gulch

Mean boys

I thought that Rep. Lange's scatological outburst was the low point in a sadly long string of reprehensible behaviors by the Republican leadership and a small cadre of their fellow legislators. I was wrong. Shortly after Lange's execrable tirade, House Speaker Scott Sales indicated his agreement with Rep. Lange's sentiments, but added, "I would have chosen different adjectives." Speaker Sales chose the adjectives "obscene" and "immoral" in stating that the Democratic Party was as unyielding in their fiscal (political) beliefs as were his Republicans. To accuse someone of immorality just because they hold to a differing political philosophy seems frighteningly similar to the radical Islamists calling Americans infidels because they don't hold the same values as the jihadist.

There are good people in the Republican ranks. But the pervasive meanness and crudeness exhibited by a small group of Republican legislators, and worse, the silent approval of that behavior by the rank and file, threatens the very fabric of our representative form of governance.

To those who would excuse this behavior as the result of term limits, I say balderdash. These behaviors come from values forges long before they were elected.

Will Selser

728 N. Warren Street

True self

Thank you, Rep. Lange.

Thanks for having the courage to stand up and proclaim what was truly on your mind and in your heart. Thanks for having the clarity and focus to show us your true character and perhaps the true character of the Montana Republican Party.

Thanks for renewing my faith.

After following the sheer spectacle of this Legislative session, I was reminded by your "speech" (and the enthusiastic response from your audience) of why I never have voted for, and never will vote for, a Republican.

Mark G. Pomerleau

4715 US Hwy 12 West

Great cookoff

Saturday night, April 28, the Holter Museum presented it's annual "Taste of Spring" celebration of the art of food. This year we tried something new: a cookoff in which five local restaurants and caterers competed in offering tastes of their best savories and sweets. It was great fun -- and everyone was impressed by the creativity and quality of the tastings from all five restaurants.

The five competitors (in alphabetical order) were: Benny's Bistro, Captain Jack's Bistro/Cafe Artemus, Chili O'Brien's, The Montana Club, and the Park Avenue Bakery.

The Holter Museum wants to thank all five restaurants for bravely partnering with us in this new format, and for donating their tastes so that all proceeds from the event could go directly to the Holter. Won't you thank them too? When you visit one of these businesses, please let them know you appreciate their support for the Holter.

And please, consider becoming a member of the Holter. Support from members as well as business partners is essential for the Holter to continue offering its many programs and keeping them accessible to everyone in our community.

Helen Rietz

1105 LeGrande Cannon

Chair, Taste of Spring

The Holter Museum of Art

Vandalism

To whomever it may concern:

If you happened to see someone break out the left rear window of a blue-green '95 Ford Windstar van parked outside Kindrick Field on the left field side during the Helena Reps baseball game on Sunday, April 29, please call myself, at 449-2150, or the Helena Police Department. And no, it was on the wrong side to be a foul ball. Thank you.

Curt Synness

812 N. Jackson

Showboating

Well the Republicans in the House really showed us didn't they? Seems to me the ones in need of an all-day kindergarten are seated in the House patting each other on the back for a job well done. They proclaim to be against government waste and then pull this malarkey? Hats off to Dave Gallik and Bob Bergen for speaking for anyone who cares to pay the least bit of attention to what is going on in Helena. And they say the governor is showboating? These guys wrote the book. I feel sorry for the House pages who had to witness the worst example of legislative "activity" in our state's history. I also feel sorry for the state employees who wasted precious time in working to bring legislation forward only to have it all vaporized in the name of "principle." Mr. Lange, you obviously have underestimated the intellect of the people of this state who recognize a con man when they see one. As they say in the popular vernacular better keep your day job. After the special session ends you will not be coming back to Helena for business.

Stephenie Ambrose Tubbs

900 University

Immigration

State Sen. Christine Kaufmann (D-Helena) says that bills against illegal immigration "encourage us to distrust people with dark skin." Clearly she means Mexicans.

OK, let's trust a Mexican's observations about how ceaseless illegal immigration from Mexico is devastating our country. An article from the Los Angeles Times last summer ("6 + 4 1 Tenuous Existence," 7/29/2006, still available online) quotes Alejandra, a Mexican woman who, with several sisters, originally came to California illegally but then, somehow, gained legal status. The sisters subsequently fled California for Lexington, Kentucky, because they "earn more than they did in Los Angeles, in a city where the cost of living is lower. Kentucky is now their promised land, and they talk about California the way they used to talk about Mexico.

Said Alejandra: "What we weren't able to do in many years in California, we've done quickly here. We're in a state where there's nothing but Americans. The police control the streets. It's clean, no gangs. California now resembles Mexico -- everyone thinks like in Mexico. California's broken."

Back to Kaufmann, who also says illegal immigration "is a created issue rather than a real problem." Helena voters should n please! -- retire someone so ill-informed.

Paul Nachman

1611 W. Koch

Bozeman

Impeach Cheney, too

Cheney should be impeached along with Bush. They should both be removed from office simultaneously, making Nancy Pelosi president for the next 1 1/2 years. This is the only way to send the message to future presidents that their power is subject to the Constitution and the will of the people.

Mr. Clifton Caughron

2045 Goldrush Ave.

Related to Custer?

A recent TV program touched on the Battle of the Little Big Horn, and this brought to mind a question. Considering President Bush's failed strategy in Iraq, do you suppose that, in some strange way, he is related to General Custer?

Russ Peery

P. O. Box 4783

Too much trash

My name is Caroline Freistadt and I am a senior at Helena High School. I am writing a letter to address a certain issue I feel strongly about in the Helena community, that of the endless trash in the city area. There are many times that I observe people traveling to school, and they never clean up after themselves. Waste is left in the parking lots, school hallways, and around town. When this occurs, I know the number one reason it is left is because they don't care to throw it in the garbage. These simple actions also make me think of the many actions we can take as a community to recycle unused items. I would like to make a simple suggestion if I may. When people leave their trash around, it may not even occur to them that they are polluting the earth. So, if people pick up their garbage, I believe it will surely improve the environment's ability to flourish and grow. The more this action is recognized, the better the environment will be not only for our people, but for the animals as well who also have the right to live here.

Caroline Freistadt

501 1st St.