Letters to the Editor

Winds of change

Dear editor:

Well, we got ourselves a change, by golly, whether we like it or not. To loosely paraphrase wise old Ben Franklin, "You got it, now if you can just keep it."

Any day now, Senator Kerry will unveil his secret plan to solve the Iraqi problem. Sen. Byrd will introduce a resolution stating that if the Muslims would just put aside their sheets and burkas they could rejoin the human race and all would be forgiven. They could still burn Toyotas, but no crosses. Speaker of the House-to-be, Representative Nancy Pelosi has already announced that she intends to highlight ethics in her administration of the house by sponsoring Representative John Murtha to be Majority Leader of the House.

I am sure you remember Rep. Murtha from his arrest in the FBI sting operation a few years ago, when a few of his fellow congressmen and himself were involved in accepting money to use their influence to get a Muslim sheik legal entry into the United States Murtha exercised his ethical influence by copping a plea and turned state's evidence against his fellow perpetrators.

I hear that Sen. Reid will present Pelosi and Sen. H.R. Clinton with matching Harley-Davidsons complete with bejeweled leathers, but no helmets, so as to not muss up their hair-dos. Among the Presidential hopefuls pro-gun control former mayor Giuliani will soon toss his white, un-stained sombrero on top of Sen. McCain's helmet, goggles and white scarf. (McCain has a few gun control problems, too, so perhaps they can run as a pair) Sen. McCain of course has already fueled up his campaign bus for President with ethanol, and will promptly kick the tires and light the fires.

Other than that, not much will happen in order to not muddy the water for 2008. Oh, we will probably establish amnesty for illegals and arrange healthcare for them. President Bush may get a crick in his neck from nodding "Yes" so often. But no big deal, other than maybe a Democratic Congressman from way down South having to get a bigger freezer with a bigger money box in his house office in order to keep his cash money cold. Senator-elect Tester has already been released from the hospital after having his ailment cleared up.

There is one other thing: President Bush will nominate a candidate from the Ninth Circuit Court for the Supreme Court to fill the expected vacancy on that bench soon. Unlike previous nominations, this one will be confirmed promptly. (Bi-partisanship in action, you know).

I think I may inquire of my partner, Mr. Mellor of Broadus, if he knows of a suitable place for an extended fishing trip.

That Rip Van Winkle fellow may have been onto something!

Richard C. Coffman.

Miles City, Mont.

Thankgiving wishes

Dear editor:

As Thanksgiving approaches, we pause to give thanks for many things. One of these is the various freedoms and materials things we have here in the United States. We should also pause to give thanks for five things or groups of people that helped make our country great, people and things we often take for granted.

1. The horse. Without the horse, the West could have never been settled and the United States could have never expanded westward. The horse was vital in settling and expanding this nation, and we should be thankful for these wonderful animals.

2. The slave. For more than two centuries, slaves toiled at the hard work others would not do. Seldom would they complain. There were a few revolts, but most of these slaves actually liked the masters who treated them cruelly because they were good hearted and hard working.

3. The pioneer woman. The pioneer woman helped hold families together and was responsible for much of the work done when the husband was away, hunting, working, or farming. The pioneer woman was taken so much for granted that she could not even vote in a presidential election until 1920. Still, she rarely complained.

4. The train. Railroads united this country from end to end, provided good paying jobs, and standardized our time zones. Had railroads not connected the country, our geographic situation might still be in limbo. Next time you see a train pass by, thank it and its workers for what it did to make America great.

5. The farmer. The farmer planted crops to feed not only their own families but to feed the country and make America known as the "Breadbasket of the World." Despite drought one year, and flood and hail the next, the farmer persevered. When you have breakfast tomorrow morning, remember the American farmer who helped make it come about.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

David Shipp

Nevada