Editorial

A lot of students and fans missed a good show

Jim Blow/Valley Journal

A small, but dedicated group of students joined eight enthusiastic Ronan cheerleaders to spur on the Ronan Maidens in Kalispell early Saturday morning.

Jim Blow

Letters to the editor

Trash stains Jocko Valley

Editor,
The last couple days we've spent a few hours in our quest to clean the highway in the Jocko Valley. Wow, someone's trash must have flown out of the back of their truck. Only the bag broke and it was blown all over and we picked it up one piece at a time. Let's see, only three diapers thrown out this time — last year it was a full bag of dirty diapers.
Who invented retreads, and why are the treads up and down the highway? And are they sharp and pokey. Cut right through the bag I was carrying. Do you suppose the trucks are still running with bald tires? And yes, the diesel smell from those trucks really make the outdoors smell ... bad.
Hey, guys, are you running from the cops? Did you have to dump your Bud bottles fast and over by the side of the road? Then you must have decided to see how far you could throw them, break them, and leave the glass all over.
Oh, there is some high-powered, keep me awake for hours, cans of "juice." Ah the Copenhagen boxes are disposed of one can at a time up and down the highway. And yes, another Wal-Mart bag, only this one was starting to disintegrate and crumbles and flies into the wind. I am sure the animals of the wild (deer, ants, snakes, mice, etc). love plastic. Maybe it's an aphrodisiac.
Well, look what I found, construction materials right off the truck, still wrapped from the vendor. And ranchers, those orange strings should not be thrown away, you could reuse them to tie up those fences, the loose hay, whatever. Gum wrappers, newspapers, milk jugs, oil cans, pop cans, pop glasses, even a billfold with calling cards, but no names, a half of a dollar bill, a sheet, a sweater, silk flowers, trash bags, hubcaps and more and more as the list goes on.
So today I thanked God for the beauty of the Jocko Valley, prayed for those who seem to have no care for the environment, realized I didn't have to pay for exercise, and hoped, no, I hope and trust everyone tarps their garbage.
Anne Stewart
Arlee

We must unite for survival

Editor,
As President of the Lake County Republican Women’s Club, I have tried to plug into the different conservative groups that threaten to divide a united effort to overcome the socialist juggernaut in control in Washington.
There is far more that unites us than divides us. Historically, conservatism and adherence to the Constitution have been hallmarks of the Republican Party. The GOP must strengthen those basic principles or lose to the socialist movement forever. The GOP and other conservative groups should be able to march shoulder to shoulder under the GOP tent on domestic issues. Regarding foreign policy the leaders of these splinter groups, who accuse the Republicans as being as bad as the Democrats, have a very dangerous isolationist position.
When we live in a world where there are fanatics determined to destroy us to the extent of blowing up themselves, we have to develop policies to protect our country and citizens.
I would caution those who bash the Republicans and follow other conservative parties or leaders to look at the whole picture realistically and consider the foreign as well as the domestic agenda of those leaders.
Recently Greta Van Susteren introduced a winner in a recent election as a Tea Party candidate from Long Island. He stated that Tea Party is not a party but is a movement. He ran as a “proud Republican” but organized one of the four tea parties that had been held on Long Island. He explained very well that the tea party movement encompasses all the principles of the Republican Party, including smaller government, fiscal and personal responsibility, and accountability of elected officials.
He pointed out that Republicans are very supportive of the tea party movement. It is Democrats that denounce it. He cited that tea party participants are Republicans, Independents, and those recognizing they made a mistake in voting for our current president.
Those who oppose a socialist system of government control must unite into one party. Splintered we will continue with Pelosi/Reid leadership enslaving all of us to a socialist regime.
You have local opportunities for developing awareness and knowledge of what is going on in Washington by filing to run in the spring primary to serve as a precinct committeeman or woman on the county Republican Central Committee or joining the Lake County Pachyderm Club which meets the second and fourth Friday of the month or the Lake County Republican Women’s Club with information on http://lcrw.home.bresnan.net
Mimi Milheim
Dayton

FCA raises funds to help local kids

Editor,
What do Duford Tires, G&M Auto Repairs, Zimmerman Fishing Tackle, Wrap Shack, Cove Deli, Polson Bay Grocery, and Polson’s Town Pump all have in common? They all care about kids.
Polson High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) club would like to pass out a heart-filled thank you to all the contributing businesses for making their Shoot for the Kids fundraisers such a success.
The Shoot for the Kids fundraiser started with an idea to help two local families with their medical bills. Kiley Heffner of Dayton who has been stricken with leukemia and Layne Lozeau who has Adrenoleukodystrophy. These families will receive fuel cards to help with travel expenses for medical treatments. The fundraiser only became a reality when local businesses kicked in the following cheerful contributions.
Owner and operator Dana Duford of Duford Tires donated a $400 voucher to go towards a tire purchase. Shelley Quinn of Quinn’s Wrap Shack donated 12 $12 gift certificates and a discount on several others to go towards any item of their yummy menu. Martin Glasson and Brent Matson owners and operators of G&M Auto Tech donated a $100 gift certificate to apply to any auto repair.
Dick Zimmerman of Zimmerman Tackle Shop in Pablo gave a $40 gift certificate to purchase any fishing tackle. The Avison family of the Cove Deli and Pizza contributed scoops of ice cream. Through the shooting contest the FCA kids collected $350 from participants shooting and donations. Polson Bay Grocery added two $25 gas cards and Town Pump contributed a $150 gift certificate.
The core values of the FCA are what are referred to as the four C’s … Campus, Coaches, Camps, and Community. We are so thankful for such a generous business community.
A last thank-you goes to the basketball fans and all the willing participants who at times new they had just a prayer to make the shot, but walked on to the court with a giving attitude of “Keep the Change.”
To find out more about FCA, talk to any Student Huddle Leader, Huddle Coach Mark Rochin or check out their national Web site fca.org.
Mark Rochin
Polson

President's words display hate

Editor,
I can't get it out of my head — Barak Obama saying to John McCain at the February 25 Health Care Summit, “The campaign is over.” Could the President have said anything less gracious or more hateful? I don't think so.
Carol Cummings
Polson

Mardi Gras fundraiser gives club financial boost

Editor,
The past few days of bright sunshine have been sheer delight to our community, especially after a long siege of rather gloomy weather. The Boys & Girls Club board of directors would like to share another bright spot with everyone.
The past year and a half has been turbulent to say the least and the outlook for the economy and jobs hasn’t been all that promising. For that reason the board and staff at the Boys & Girls Club are especially grateful to the community for their generous support of our latest fund raising effort, Mardi Gras Montana. Your support for a local non-profit is a needed and tremendous boost for our youth-centered efforts.
Our hats go off to those who sponsored our event, donated to the auction, bought tables for the dinner, individuals who bought tickets and auction buyers and participants. Your willingness to contribute to the Boys & Girls Club indicates that youth support is one of your priorities. The generous participation this year for Mardi Gras even surpassed the figures from 2009, something to be proud of during these tough economic times.
It is gratifying to know that the community recognizes the struggle that is evident in the non-profit sector. Our youth organization serving five days a week needs that kind of attention in order to meet the needs of these youngsters and their families. Support from businesses and individuals are essential to keep on track as we serve approximately 100 kids per day in our combined Ronan and Polson units.
We’re also very humbled by the generous contribution of time and resources of all the volunteers who worked under the guidance of volunteer Michal Delgado. You made our days sunny even before the weather changed.
On behalf of the Board and Staff of the Boys & Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County, a sincere heartfelt thank you. The kids benefit every weekday from your kind generosity.
John Schnase
Ronan

True change comes from within

Editor,
The disruptive, blatantly partisan, greed driven, angry, and combative rhetoric called news is coming so fast and furious that it must have many asking, "What is going on here. How can we change this trend? What can we do about this? When are our concerns going to be intelligently addressed? How can we make the changes we wish to see?" All good questions, for sure.
My firm belief is this: To help make the changes we wish to see, we must be the change we wish to see.
For example, I know peace activists who hate people. They are out there protesting for peace, but that is not what it is about. They are out there hating their political opponents, hating the people waging war, hating the corporate pigs benefitting from the war. They are coming totally from that hate-filled frame of mind. This only perpetuates the very anger and attack they are protesting against.
You can have two people doing exactly the same thing, one doing it from an attitude fueled by anger and frustration, the other doing it from an attitude fueled by peace and love. One perpetuates the anger and fear, the other demonstrates true understanding and peace. Which attitude prevails is what determines the human experience. That is how it works. As the old saying goes, "You cannot fool Mother Nature." Well, you cannot fool Mother/Father God, either ... we reap what we sow."
Every action has a reaction. And the place to start is right here at home, right in our own families, our relationships, our work and play environments. Children, especially, pick up much more from our attitudes and actions than from what we say. Reminds me of that great saying, "What you are, right now, speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you are saying."
So, I come back to this truism:  "To make the changes we wish to see, we must be the change we want to see.
Bob McClellan
Polson

What will be left of our great nation?

Editor,
Wednesday I attended a meeting sponsored by the Montana Human Rights Network at the St. Ignatius Seniors Center. The speaker gave reasons why conservative groups are starting to meet in large numbers.
One - our President isn’t white and two - our President has a non-Anglican last name.
My reasons for wanting to be involved weren’t mentioned. Let me share a few:
He that lives upon hope will die fasting. -Benjamin Franklin.
That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves. -Thomas Jefferson.
The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment, may be viewed as the most truly independent and happy. -James Madison
Power always thinks ... that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws. -John Adams
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. -Thomas Jefferson
In short, I love freedom, and feel blessed to be part of this great nation. I feel responsible to do what I can to preserve our liberties. Bailouts, debt, corruption, back room deals, welfare abuse, Social Security failure, compulsory government health insurance, taxes, etc.
These are my reasons to be involved — not the color of Obama’s skin or his last name. I am worried about what will be left of our great republic for my children.
My children who happen to have the same beautiful color of skin as Obama.
Greg Arlint

Raffle winner announced

Editor,
The winner of the '79 HD Shovelhead motorcycle raffle was Charles Walking Child. The raffle was in support of Sober Indian Riders and we would like to thank everyone who bought tickets.
Geri Hall
Polson

Tea party gathering was not a peaceful protest

Editor,
After reading Annette Schiele's letter, published Feb. 25 describing last April's tea party that she helped to organize, I had to wonder if we attended the same event. Her stated goal for the gathering may have been to "peacefully protest over-burdensome taxes and the alarming increase in government spending," but it turned out to be much more than that.
From my point of view the Polson tea party was all about anger- most of it directed against the Federal government, our elected representatives, the Internal Revenue Service and President Obama. Though they claim to love the USA, I didn't hear anything much positive about our government. Did any of them pause to consider the tax dollars that funded the public roads they traveled to the public park that hosted the tea party next to the Armed Forces Memorial bridge dedicated to those that serve our country? Instead, some speakers and participants even made thinly veiled references to secession and revolution.
And for every minute given to taxes and spending, another minute was spent attacking gays, climate change science, abortion, and Godless schools while promoting guns, state sovereignty, private property rights, and their peculiar understanding of the constitution. Plainly put, it was the election campaign all over again.
But as Annette Schiele said, "listen carefully to the rhetoric" and "respond appropriately according to your own interpretation." Indeed.
Jim Rogers
Polson
St. Ignatius