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Letters to the Editor

Inspiring thoughts for trying times

Editor, Deviating from my usual style of letters, here’s one that simply offers some inspiring thoughts. Hope you find them meaningful and even perhaps helpful in these present very “trying times” for us all. Offered by Dr. Debasish Mridha of Saginaw, Michigan, a physician, philosopher, poet, and author: “Music can heal the wounds which medicine cannot touch.” “To be rich is not what you have in your bank account but what you have in your heart.” “Peace is not when everyone agrees.   It is when we can respect our disagreements and still play in the sandbox together.” The following is a special prayer our mother use...


Constitutional initiatives will improve election process

Editor, In November, Montanans will vote on two constitutional initiatives that will improve how elections are conducted. CI126 creates an open primary system. All qualified candidates regardless of party will appear on one ballot, and voters choose a single candidate from that ballot. This system does no...


Vote to protect rural hospitals

Editor, Recently a relative of mine was rushed to the ER in Polson, stabilized, then transported to Missoula a few hours later. Having worked 30 years as an RN, I am well aware how critical, literally, the initial care in our local hospital mattered in terms of outcome. One third of Montana’s pop...


Vote with a commitment to each other

Editor, What I love about where we live is our community of people. We are friends and neighbors, sometimes with varying views, but always there for each other in times of need. This election, I encourage all of us to vote for candidates that are not divisive and hateful. For candidates looking for soluti...


Vote for Shirley, Azzopardi, HD 13

Editor, I have known Shirley Azzopardi for over 25 years - as a coworker, a hiking companion, and a friend. Shirley is the best choice for HD 13. She works hard, spending time after work knocking on doors and talking to people about the issues important to them. As a teacher, Shirley believes in a strong ...


Re-elect Jon Tester

Editor, “Hello, Jon!” my outgoing husband cheerily called out to Senator Tester in the concourse of the Salt Lake City Airport. The senator, obviously headed to the men’s room, turned around, grinning, and stuck out his right hand. To my surprise, what followed was a five-minute conversa...


Choose healing thoughts, words, actions

Editor, Consider the economic woes, political turmoil, China news, Putin, car jackings, random shootings, and all manner of negative news coverage. What initiates and drives these sorts of problems? It is what I call FAG:  “Fear, Anger,  Greed.”  This human response is severe...


Montana schools need O’Brien’s leadership

Editor, This letter supports Dr. Shannon O’Brien for Montana State Superintendent of Schools. The Office of Public Instruction needs leadership that brings change that supports students and teachers in Montana’s schools. Current Superintendent Elsie Arntzen and her former Chief Deputy Susie He...


Racism is a non-partisan issue

Editor, When someone tells you who they are, believe them.  Tim Sheehy joked about one of his experiences as, “a great way to bond with all the Indians while they’re drunk at 8 a.m.” or throwing beer cans at cultural events. He then repeated his racist remarks to other audiences ...


Play safe to guard against traumatic brain injury

Editor, Woo-hoo! It’s football season in Montana! So much excitement for all the players, schools and towns of all sizes. But I have always felt a sense of dread come the fall knowing there may be another young football player who suffers a traumatic brain injury and a screwed up life from playing f...


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