Letters to the Editor

Opportunity wasted

As Montanans contemplate long drives to join with family members, I'm writing to urge us to speed past ExxonMobil gas stations on our way to holiday dinners.

As the IR reported, ExxonMobil is making record-breaking profits because of high gasoline prices but refuses to invest that windfall in renewable energy, calling it "uneconomic."

Instead of using its record-breaking profits ($8 billion in just 3 months, secured by overcharging all of us!) to move America toward a cleaner energy future, the company's president has said we "need to accept the reality" of America's dependence on oil rather than undertake "expensive" steps trying to avoid it. It is ironic that one of America's largest corporations shows so little faith in American ingenuity.

Because of ExxonMobil's destructive environmental policies and outrageously high profits at our expense, I've pledged not to buy the company's gas or invest in the company. Folks interested in joining the campaign can sign up at www.ExxposeExxon.com.

Jonathan Matthews

1601 N. Benton Ave.

End bison hunt

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the resumption of bison hunting in Montana. I find it appalling that your state would allow Yellowstone bison - animals who have virtually no fear of humans - to be hunted.

The Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks has also failed to meet its own standards for the management of big game species like bison. You can't even claim that the bison hunt will reduce the risk of brucellosis transmission from bison to cows because the risk is already immeasurable. As you know, there has never been a confirmed case of bison transmitting brucellosis to a cow under natural conditions.

Montana has failed to heed the lessons of history. To protect Yellowstone's bison and spare your state from another round of national and international ridicule, I implore you to stop the hunt now and work for the development of a more ethical and fair management plan.

Being a frequent visitor to your beautiful state, I am embarrassed by this latest decision. My time and more importantly, my dollars, will now be spend in more civilized areas of the U.S.

Larry Myers

Cleveland, OH

Who paid bribes?

The news is full of Randy Cunningham's guilty plea where he accepted almost two and a half million dollars in bribes. I want to know who bribed him. Is it not illegal to bribe a congressman? Are our taxes paying a defense contractor who broke the law? Don't we have laws that prevent and punish corporations for illegal behavior? Why should an honest contractor need the influence of a congressman to win Pentagon contracts? Please enlighten me.

Ann Wilsnack

715 Highland

Uninformed leaders

I'll stand by my letter of Nov. 23, as written. Readers can interpret it as they will. Of course, if some think there's a conspiracy, it may be just another Vast Right Wing Conspiracy (VRWC) like the one Hillary Clinton identified several years ago. It would no doubt look something like this. A conspiracy orchestrated by Cheney from some undisclosed location, transmitted subliminally over CNN with pulsing "X's" designed to mislead, trick, manipulate and make Democrats stuff classified documents in their pants. Hillary used the VRWC to deflect attention from the corrupt and immoral activities of Bill. Democrats are using the "Bush misled us" comment to deflect from their misgivings. Senate Democrats on the intelligence committee have access to the same raw intelligence that the president sees. Why didn't these people entrusted with this tremendous responsibility take the time to educate themselves? Either they didn't care, didn't want to be bothered or were afraid of missing happy hour. After all, it was the same information they received from the Clinton administration. More uninformed leaders blaming others and not being held accountable for their actions.

At least, Democrats are fortunate to have a senator like Joe Liberman, a true standup guy.

S. Jerry Jones

1265 Valley Forge Road

Glorifying ourselves

I'd like to thank Kristi Allen for her thoughts on Iraq (Reader's Alley, 11/29), and I'd like to respectfully agree and disagree with her. I agree that we should not forget that many Democrats supported giving the president the power to threaten war.

On the other hand, Ms. Allen says, "We aren't raining bombs on Iraqi civilians…" While the "shock and awe" phase of our invasion may be past, our air attacks killed tens of thousands of civilians, in spite of how noble our intentions or smart our bombs may have been. The "collateral damage" continues.

Ms. Allen says we should criticize the terrorists, not our troops.

With the partial exception of Abu Ghraib, I've heard little or no criticism of our troops in Iraq, but of the people who sent them there.

We need to make the best of this situation, and we need - badly - to learn from it.

To do so, we should avoid simplistic and partisan scapegoating, as Ms. Allen suggests. By the same token, we should avoid glorifying ourselves. When we're surrounded by heroes and demons, we have a hard time seeing people. And it's people who make war.

Laughing Water

808 N. Park Ave.

Great greeting

On behalf of the soldiers of the 1st Battalion 189th Aviation and the entire Montana Army National Guard, I extend my deepest appreciation to the city of Helena and the citizens and businesses who participated in and supported the homecoming and Thanksgiving Day parade events for our returning soldiers. It was heartwarming to see the outpouring of support, as thousands of people lined the parade route to help welcome home Montana's heroes.

As citizen-soldiers we stand ready to serve our great state and nation at a moment's notice. However, without the support we receive from our families, friends, and our community that is our lifeblood, our task would be less than bearable. I am so very proud of our troops and the Helena community. Thank you for everything that you do to support the National Guard.

Major General Randy Mosley

The Adjutant General

Montana National Guard

Thanks for donations

The Four Georgians fifth-graders would like to thank the following for their donations and time for our Dec. 3 craft sale.

Schwan's, Montana Marketing, Taco John's, La Casa Fiesta, Golden Corral, Grandstreet Theatre, Lehrkinds Helena Coca-Cola, Helena Ice Arena, George's Foods, Balloon Boutique, Woodpecker's, Silver Star Steak Co., Allegra Print & Imaging of Helena, our 50 crafters and vendors, Four Georgians parents, our teachers, Mrs. Erwin, Micki Bennett, Deb Hendrix, our janitors.

You are all awesome!

Anne Crisp

1376 E. Otter Road