Just say 'NO'
I recently read an article which defied any idea of fair play and common sense. It seems a couple in their eighties offered an apartment for rent. What followed appears to me to be a complete miscarriage of justice. Allegedly, the person was denied the rental because she had a teenage daughter. According to the article, the rental owner suggested that the apartment would not be suitable for the rental applicant due to there not being anything close to the area to provide entertainment or conveniences suitable for a teen. What happened after this is both bizarre and disgusting to me.
The applicant sued the owner under the fair housing discrimination laws which cost the owner over $33,000 dollars (the lawyer for the applicant took over $21,000 of the money). I have owned apartments. Despite what the government dictates, I believe no one has a right to rent another person's property. My advice to landlords is to only use the NO word. If a landlord tries to be friendly or explain the NO word the government and lawyers will line up for the feeding frenzy. Shame on government bureaucrats! Shame on lawyers!
Dan Griffin
Ferndale Thanks you
We would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for the many thoughts of kindness including calls, cards and visits, gifts of food, flowers and contributions in the passing of our Mom, June Warner. A special thanks to the Larson families, Dr. Phil McLain, Marianne Wilson, Diane Anderson and Priscilla and Virgil from the Parkview Senior Center Meals on Wheels. Mom had the utmost love and respect for each of you as well as for the community of Cut Bank. Thank you Carol Bucher and the girls at Naturally Curly-you always made Mom look so beautiful and were so kind to her.
We would also like to thank the Swan Lake Search and Rescue members, the Bigfork QRU, the Kalispell Regional Hospital, Renae Molenda from Rose Petal Floral, the Whitted family from Whitted Funeral Chapel, Pastor Bill and Bonnie Stonebraker, Nancy Jacobson, Lorrie Siebrecht, the Deacons of the First Presbyterian Church and her many friends in the Good Sam Club.
Once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sharing your lives with Mom and for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
Jackie and Jerry Norberg
and Family
Carol and Roger Larson
and Family
Candy and Orley Martin
Sherry and Dan Aschim
and Family
Racial worries
I wasn't a bit shocked to read about people determined to vote based on the color of skin, rather than on the issues. In the south there are a lot of folks putting up Confederate flags along side the USA flag with signs about being "a maverick."
Saturday morning AP News said that one-third of white Democrats are scared of voting an African-American into the White House.
There is no doubt that racism is still alive and well in this country, BUT the drum beats slowly and is becoming a bit fainter.
It was only 40 years ago that there were riots in the streets to keep black kids from going to white schools. I was a child during those days, but the memories of the racial divide in this country are strong. The memories of hatred, and lack of tolerance is very much a scar in the America of the 60s generation. But it was a battle wound received to create what is happening now.
I never in my wildest dreams ever thought that I would live to see the day when a person of color would actually be nominated on a major party ticket. That was a dream, the dream of the 60s! A dream I heard a long time ago, on my black and white television set. A dream discribed by the black preacher man who said: I have a dream that someday people would judge NOT by the color of someone's skin, but by the content of their character."
Even if this half white, half black presidential candidate does not win the election, we've come a very long way, we've come to the realization that dreams really come true! I got to see the hope of the past generation unfold before my eyes with the rise of this Democratic nominee!
The American collective consciousness has reached a higher level in it's evolution.
Sure there are still those in back rooms writing their racist opinions in the shadows. They still cling to the hate that keeps them from reaching a higher level in their own lives. There will always be those blinded by ignorance and fear.
But I'm finally seeing the end of those days. There may be a lot of racists out there still, but in the end "we," those of us who actually SEE that all men/women are created equal, are winning.
Cristina Friar
Bigfork
Poll
A recent news poll found that race may play a role in this year's presidential election. The poll found "deep-seated racial misgivings" and that one-third of Whites harbor negative views towards all Blacks. If this is accurate, I'm not surprised—I am deeply saddened.
I grew up in a large city during the 1950's and 60's. Then the city had a Black population about equal to that of its White population. I never knew any Blacks personally — "they" lived in a segregated part of the city. What I remember, though, is that from little child up, when we would cross into one of the city's Black neighborhoods, my father would tell us to "roll up the windows and lock the doors." He never said why — and we children just did as we were told. As a result of this and other not-so-subtle messages, we came to fear an entire race of people for no other reason we were taught to do so. Understand that these Black neighborhoods were not high crime areas — they were stable, family-oriented neighborhoods. In fact, many of the Black families had been living there for more than 100 years, long before my family had emigrated to this country. I found out all this much later in my life, though.
I moved away as an adult and began to meet and work with people of many differing cultures and backgrounds. I saw then that what I'd been taught was prejudice; that my otherwise loving, caring and deeply religious parents had passed on to us the racism they had learned from their parents, never questioning why. I had learned to judge individuals not on their character or accomplishments — or on how they treated me — but on the color of their skin. I vowed this would not be my legacy to my children.
Fast forward to today. I want to plead with all voters, who way inside themselves see skin color as a factor in this year's election, to reconsider their position. Vote because you agree with a candidate's vision and ability to guide this country through these very difficult and challenging times — and not against him because you may harbor some "deep-seated racial misgivings." I've made my choice to support Barack Obama based on what I believe he stands for and what I want for this country. Others choose to support John McCain. To those of you who agree with Obama's position and have real concerns for our country under a McCain administration, please make sure any decision to ultimately support or reject Obama for president doesn't rest with the color of his skin. Let your children know you'll vote for either Obama or McCain for honorable reasons. It's time.
Marie Mumma
Polson
Schweitzer will soon ban your guns
I sit here and tremble when I hear Governor Schweitzer publicly testify that Barack Obama is not after your guns. You see, I am in the unique position of being a Chicago transplant. I KNOW BARACK IS AFTER YOUR GUNS and Obama's voting record on guns proves that our Governor is either a fool, a liar or both.
For almost 40 years, I suffered through Chicago and Illinois gun bans and the extensive, crooked politics that molded Schweitzer's choice for President. Today, Barack is the most liberal Senator who is committed to banning your guns. I also believe he is probably one of the most crooked Senators in America. How could he not be? The culture that formed him into a politician is well known. The political machine in Chicago and Illinois is even proud and boastful of their anti-gun laws and crooked machine politics.
Personally, I believe that Schweitzer is both a fool and a liar. He is a fool for thinking that Montanans are so stupid that they will not be able to distinguish his lies from the truth. Further, Schweitzer is a liar in that he himself knows these facts. Yet he tries to con us to believe our guns are safe in an Obama regime. Schweitzer has sold out the people of Montana and threatens our way of life. His party affiliation is obviously more important to him than the people and culture of this Great State. He is eroding your Montana life style and cultures for those like Illinois, California and other states where big Government rules you instead of you ruling the government.
The average Montana household owns seven firearms! Did Schweitzer forget that? In Montana we still remain free. We have the right to defend our families, neighbors, friends and property, to hunt and fish and to enjoy the peace and solitude of our resources and to be free from big brother style government. Our culture, our guns and our freedom are sacred to most Montana folks and something that Schweitzer's is charged to protect.
Sadly Schweitzer has chosen to betray "We the People" for his own political gain and his party allegiance. Those things are more important and sacred to him than his own constituents are.
Mr. Schweitzer (as you no longer deserve to be Governor of this great state) I am notifying you that because you are a lying foolish man who only serves a party affiliation for your own political gain, that I will do whatever it takes to get you out of office and to end your political career. You Sir are a liar and you have proved without a doubt that you no longer care about me, my family or all the other families of Montana.
Vincent G. Vaccaro
Townsend, MT
Puppy disgrace
I am absolutely disgusted and shocked that a retired physician is capable of denying accountability let alone any remorse for his premeditated choice of drowning innocent puppies and then dumping them as garbage. I have no understanding how a retired physician and dog breeder chose to kill these puppies in such a horribly cruel manner because of his reported fear they would catch parvovirus. I believe he must have had knowledge of euthanasia as a means of compassionately ending the lives of these puppies, let alone undertaking The Hippocratic Oath for physicians that states "Never to do deliberate harm to anyone for anyone else's interest." It seems to me that John L. Heine chose to kill these puppies in the most cruel, inhumane manner for his own interest. He has not only committed aggravated cruelty to animals, he has also broken the Hippocratic Oath. His other obvious choice was to take these puppies to the Flathead County Animal Shelter when they were ready to be weaned from their mother. Considering his training as a physician and experience as a dog breeder, how can John L. Heine claim innocence in this premeditated act of killing puppies by drowning them and dumping them as garbage?
Cindie K. Jobe
Kalispell
Goats for all
What makes a great family pet and provides nutritious milk? Goats, of course. Those charming, frolicking, jumping, butting goats. Their milk is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals, and makes excellent cheese in just 48 hours.
What does it take to keep a goat? How much space? What kind of shelter? What do they eat? How do you raise a kid (baby goat)? How do you milk a doe (female goat)? How much milk do they give?
Gayle Prunhuber of Loon Lake Pottery and Gardens has the answers to all these questions, plus she offers a tour of their gardens, a "How to Keep a Goat" presentation hosted by Bigfork's Essential Stuff Project (ESP). Saturday, September 27, 2 PM, at Loon Lake Pottery & Gardens, 30182 Loon Lake Rd, in Bigfork.
The event is free; please try to ride-share, and RSVP by Sept 24 to Catherine Haug (cmhaug4@earthlink.net, 837-4577).
Catherine Haug
Bigfork
Climate change lecture
Climate change is one of the most significant issues facing the Flathead Valley. Expected changes include melting glaciers, reduced snowpack and availability of water, and more wildfire. These trends translate into a much more uncertain future for the Flathead. From agriculture to wildlife, tourism to recreation, the effects of climate change have broad implications. As a former park ranger in Glacier and Flathead resident, I am concerned about the changes these special places face.
Unfortunately, action at the federal, state, and local levels has been slow even though the majority of Montanans join me in expressing concern about this issue. Fortunately, there is something we can do—empower ourselves to learn more.
The upcoming Flathead Valley Climate Lecture Series, held at Flathead Valley Community College, provides an opportunity for community members to hear compelling and diverse perspectives from some of Montana's most respected climate experts. The National Parks Conservation Association is a sponsor of the lecture series, which is fitting because our local treasure, Glacier National Park, has been dubbed a climate change "poster child."
I only hope that this event, and others like it, will ensure each of us is inspired to make a difference to help preserve Glacier, and the Flathead, for our children and grandchildren.
Michelle Tafoya
National Parks Conservation Association