Letters from Readers September 19-22, 2000

Are Americans getting
the best people
To the Editor:

Year after year we vote candidates into office. But are these really the best people for the job? No. They’re the wealthiest. Is that what Americans want or need? No! I as an American citizen want running the country the smartest and best qualified for the job, not the richest. For example, Allan Keys—good morals, smart, says what he thinks and believes straight out. He’s someone our country needs representing us, but he can’t afford to stay in the election with all the rich guys. We need to allow elections to the more fair for the more unfortunate people. I’m sick of trying to decide which hotshot millionaire is better.—Andy Ebert, Little Falls.

Stand up for what’s right
To the Editor:

The reference in my earlier letter to the Holocaust and abortion may have baffled the woman from planned parenthood, however, the connection is very real. The nazis had to first change the law and convince the citizenry that Jews, gypsies, the infirmed, the handicapped, and the mentally deficient were not really people or citizens before they could begin killing them. The same thing is beginning in the United States. The lady is right, the U.S. Constitution guarantees the life of each citizens. Therefore, it was necessary to make a law that unborn children were not alive or citizens so they could kill them. That’s Roe vs. Wade. The strange thing is, if an unborn child is killed in the commission of a crime, the perpetrator can be and is tried for murder or manslaughter. I wonder when some sick group will try to plug that loophole. And it shouldn’t be too long before some slick lawyer will argue that euthanasia is deferred abortion and some court will agree. You may have heard the story about the man who saw people being taken away and since he wasn’t personally affected, he didn’t stand up and stop it. Finally, when they came for him, there was no one left to help. Think about this when you cast your ballot in November—stand up and vote your conscience.—Floyd Richmond, Little Falls.

Walk to raise funds
begins on September 28
To the Editor:

The staff at Royalton Elementary believes that each and every child at the school could fit into one of several categories—actor, storyteller, musician, dancer or daydreamer. The common ground all of these children share, is that they are artists. We believe that teaching the arts is an essential part of educating a child. The arts unlock children’s creativity, opening new pathways to learning in all areas of the curriculum. Research shows that the arts help students develop critical thinking skills and increase their awareness of the world around them.

Like anything else in our curriculum, to teach the arts effectively, certain materials are needed. This year, Dr. Gurbada will be walking to raise funds to support our arts program. His commitment to the arts is inspirational to us as educators. We hope that you share our enthusiasm for this important component of our student’s education.

On Thursday, September 28, at 9:15 a.m., Dr. Gurbada will begin his walk. The students and staff will escort him to the Royalton State Bank parking lot. After a short rally, we will send him off. In case of rain, the rally will be held in the school foyer. We will welcome him back from his journey on Monday, October 2, at 2 p.m. at the Royalton Fire Station. You are invited to attend one or both of these events to support his efforts.

Donations to the arts program are welcome. We will be using the funds for art supplies, guest artists and teacher workshops. We are committed to creating a strong arts program to suit the needs and interests of all the children, grades K-6, at Royalton Elementary.—The Royalton Elementary Fine Arts Committee.

Enjoys local column by Cal Bengtson
Dear Cal (Bengtson):

I would like to take a moment and commend you, Cal Bengtson for your most recent column in the 9-17 issue of the MC Record. This one’s a keeper! I have always enjoyed reading your columns and this one really topped it. It is so nice to read about someone’s opinion that is not harping about the school board mess or how many times a local church’s commercials run. Cal, I always find your columns to be sometimes funny, a little sad or heartwarming, but always thought provoking! Thanks for your thoughts on women. I know I needed to “hear” that and I am sure many other women were blessed by what you said. Maybe next time some great thoughts about men?—Bobbi Muncy, Little Falls.

In response to letter on legalized abortion
To the Editor:

A Planned Parenthood letter writer in last week’s Record was baffled by the comparison of America’s legalized abortion to the Nazi Holocaust. Simple: both facilitated the killing of millions of innocent persons for being unwanted and it is called “the law”. Unfortunately, America’s abortion holocaust has killed about three times as many victims as the Nazi Holocaust.

The writer says women are entitled to self determination and should not be forced to bear children. Except in cases of rape and incest, women are free to determine whether to have a child or not. If not, they can exercise self control and abstain from sexual intercourse. Abstainance is the simplest and cheapest form of birth control available and it works every time.

A woman’s time for self determination is before she becomes pregnant, not after. She must take responsibility for her actions. It may not be easy, but she will never carry the guilt of having killed her unborn child because of an act of irresponsibility on her part. She will have chosen a clear conscience instead of a guilty one.—Clara Kedrowski, Little Falls.

Traffic situation is bad in Little Falls
To the Editor:

I just don’t get it. Traffic is so bad on Broadway since the city (Little Falls) changed to three lanes. They won’t spend the amount the bid came in at to restripe the road. Yet, it could cost $1 million to make changes to the 1st Avenues North and South. Who, in their right mind, would take 1st Avenue North? If traffic is bad or a train is present, you will never get back on Broadway. At the TAMM meetings, the majority vote was to change it back to four lanes. But, I guess democracy doesn’t apply in Little Falls. A friend of mine owns a roller rink. I’m sure we can come up with something for those lights.—Craig Fortmann, Little Falls.

Can scouts be allowed
to meet in schools?
To the Editor:

As a taxpayer and resident of the Upsala Area School district, I would like to state my disapproval on the allowing a meeting of a group that fosters homophobia at our elementary school. I am referring to the meeting of the Boy Scout troop that was announced in the Morrison County Record on September 17. As a public building supported by state and federal tax dollars (which is not allowed to discriminate), how can we approve of such a meeting? Allowing this private group to meet in our public elementary school can be viewed as support of their beliefs. The support of these beliefs is wrong and possibly illegal.—Charlene Irvin-Brown, Upsala