Letters to the editor for Oct. 5

| Thursday, October 05, 2006

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Extremist Christians

Extremist Christian Bob Ellis (Letters, Sept. 26) represents today's Republican Party calling themselves the moral party. Sponsoring a Republican platform that restricts individual growth encourages divisiveness and attacks our independent judicial system.

Make no mistake, these misguided Christians are tearing up established federal and state constitutions, rewriting them to mold this country into a theological government. Our nation soon will be taking orders from theological and evangelical leaders.

Extremist Christians lack compassion for different views evident with their attacks on moderate Republicans and Christians, calling them RINOs and CHINOs. Extremist Christians label Democrats as some evil liberal group possessing no faith; they even call these fine faithful American citizens godless.

Extremist Christians possess no tolerance or compassion to different views which moves America forward, they only want to stifle America's growth. Even more damaging by extremist Christians and politicians is their relentless attack on our independent judicial system. By assigning the activist label to our independent judicial system, extremists seek to weaken and destroy our time-proven judicial system, pressuring judges to interrupt grievances their way.

Politicians comparing our present judicial system as an activist system are violating their oath to defend our constitution from domestic attacks.

MARLA MURPHY

Rapid City

Charge what's fair

In Dan Daly's Sept. 26 article, he was right when he said Sioux Falls gas prices are cheaper than Rapid City's because there are more pipelines in the Sioux Falls area which helps keep the price down. I'm also glad to see others in this area that are starting to vent their frustration through letters as well.

The major problem in our area is not the difference in the pipeline price, but in the price-fixing on gasoline by the local oil company moguls, who continue to keep the price for gas artificially high in our area.

This morning (Sept. 27) the price difference paid at the pipelines in Rapid City and Sioux Falls (including the 42.4 cents tax) is only "12 cents" a gallon, but when you compare the price difference paid at the pump, there is a difference of "28 cents."

I don't mind paying more if the wholesalers have to pay more at the pipeline, but to continually soak the consumers in the Black Hills area for every penny they can seems to be a "trait" for local oil company moguls.

I wish more local, independent retailers would "buck" the system and charge consumers what is fair.

JERRY THOVSON

Rapid City

Benefits of atheism

10. You can eat hamburgers on Friday.

9. You needn't feel the urge to bomb or shoot anyone because they don't believe in your particular slant on religion.

8. You can happily listen to the Dixie Chicks, if you can find a country music station that will air them.

7. If your 12-year-old daughter is raped and impregnated by an escaped mental patient, she can have an abortion - except in South Dakota.

6. You can allow your kids to take science classes in high school.

5. If you enter politics, bearing false witness (otherwise known as lying) won't be a problem. This should be a problem for believers but apparently isn't, ala G.B. & crowd.

4. You can vote for candidates you like without first consulting your pastor or priest.

3. You won't ever need to learn to play the harp.

2. You won't have to contemplate spending eternity with Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell.

1. And number one, you don't have to go to church!

TERRY PAINTER

Rapid City

Anti-American

People railing against enemy detention without American criminal court trial are either anti-American, anti-Christian Jane Fonda enemy sympathizers (i.e., traitors) or Democratic political hacks attacking Republicans who wouldn't launch the same attack against Democrats.

In a war, those that are not preferably killed are captured and usually held until the end of the war to prevent them from continuing to try to kill Americans. There is nothing worse than leaving enemy alive and free, as proven for example by the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

America is in an apparently never-ending war declared on it by Muslim nutcases. Many governments of countries from which these nutcases hail support them but are too chicken to declare war themselves. This Muslim pseudo-nation proxy war is nothing but a war.

Confined enemy are the lucky ones. They could have been killed. The protests by traitors and Democratic political hacks tend to ensure that in the future they will be killed instead of captured because it is far cheaper monetarily and politically.

Unless you admit your motivation to speak in favor of the enemy is a mere political attack on Republicans, then we'll assume you're a traitor putting American heads to enemy swords.

TRACY PARRIS

Rapid City

Report them

It's time the price fixing of gas in western South Dakota is stopped. Why are gas prices always 30 to 50 cents higher than Sioux Falls? It is because Moyle Oil Co., Big D Oil and Ericson Oil control all the prices in the Black Hills area.

I moved to Rapid City in 1983 and this has been going on since Janklow was in office.

The reason it is price fixing at the pump is when one goes up 20 cents, they all go up 20 cents. But when they go back down, they go only 2 cents or 4 cents at a time, and they're all at the same price. This is called price fixing and is illegal.

So call this number in Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy and Natural Gas, and report them. The number is 800-244-3301.

CLYDE THOMPSON

Black Hawk

Great shows

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that volunteers for the BHCT. Tonight, we attended the performance of "Anything Goes," and it was a superb production, as so many plays have been. Many people of our area volunteer a lot of hours to bring us such great entertainment.

If you have not attended one of the great shows lately, let us encourage you to attend. They are great.

JON DAHLKE & VI BARFOOT

Rapid City

Politics the problem

This summer, while visiting some of the sites that make this a wonderful place to live, seeing the happiness on visitors' faces, I realized this is what matters most. Family, work, recreation and overall happiness.

It is not the people ruining this world. It is the governments and the politicians. Because of their agendas we can't just enjoy our lives, but must always be vigilant against possible attacks. Worry that two people of the same sex might fall in love, care if a total stranger aborts a fetus. The politicians will keep on posturing.

No one is right, and no one is wrong in America.

So when the political rhetoric begins (blah, blah, blah), I'm going to see if the fish are biting! Take a "Time Out" politics.

STEVE O'MALLEY

Rapid City

It's wrong

While I have grown both used to and weary of the Journal's extreme right-wing bias, I was still shocked at its endorsement of torture. Putting aside the argument that torture induces prisoners to say anything to stop the maltreatment, not necessarily the truth, and ignoring the fact that no real useful information has come from the torture already illegally sanctioned by this president, the Journal cannot simply cast aside the jeopardy in which we place our own military when the United States abandons its compliance with the Geneva Convention.

John McCain said: "Mistreatment of enemy prisoners endangers our own troops who might someday be held captive." With Ellsworth AFB and hundreds of Guard and Reserve units in our state, what kind of community newspaper advocates putting them further in harm's way?

The movie, "Lord of War" is about an arms dealer. When his wife learns of his trade, she responds, "I don't care if it's legal. It's wrong!"

That is the undeniable truth about torture - it's wrong. When we do not hold the standard for integrity, justice and democracy, and we stoop to the level of terrorists, what does that make us? It makes us wrong.

KATE KELLEY

Spearfish

Inhumane

This is in response to a letter in the Journal. People may have been disturbed by what they read about Chester Allen Poage. If it bothered you, why did you continue to read it?

I read it to my kids. My boys are 17, 14, 12 and 8. I feel that they needed to hear what can happen in today's world. Just because you met someone four months ago doesn't mean you trust them.

Kids today don't throw a few punches. They stab, shoot and kill you, with no regards or remorse. They only feel bad after they are caught.

My son got into a bad crowd. But I am luckier than Dottie, I still have my son. My heart goes out to her.

I wish Page was put to death that day. Chester didn't have a choice or a law to help make his death easy. What they did to Chester was inhumane. They need to do to those kids what they did to Chester.

Does it matter how many drugs they use to execute Page? It still won't be remotely close to the pain that Chester felt that horrible night.

LORI POPPE

Rapid City

Election

Use purchase price

Do you remember getting your property tax assessment and discovering that your property had doubled or more in value and that your taxes on the property had done likewise?

Well I do. Because some out-of-state billionaire, or maybe a big-shot developer, can pay many times the true value for land and then have their taxes reduced because of the 150 percent rule, while ours are raised because they paid an excessive price is simply unfair.

Property, as with everything else, should be taxed on the purchase price that you paid, not what the billionaire pays for theirs.

Amendment D will do just that and will limit assessment increases to 3 percent a year.

It's seldom that a senator will work this hard to get something on the ballot that will keep people in their homes and on their places and not be taxed out of them. So, if for some reason you don't have the wisdom to vote yes on Amendment D, consider staying home while you still have a home.

ROXY FISHER

Rapid City

Best two candidates

Over the last couple of years, I have seen Jeff Haverly in action. Serving on Appropriations, he is at the state capitol every morning by 7 a.m., asking the tough questions and making sure that the taxpayers get the biggest bang for their buck. When it comes to listening to the voters, I have seen Jeff drop everything to take the time to listen to a concerned citizen. Jeff Haverly has demonstrated the leadership and determination to do what's right for the citizens of District 35.

Mark Kirkeby may be new to state politics, but he is no rookie when it comes to serving as a public servant. As your county commissioner, I have seen him stand up for what's right, questioning policy when it didn't make sense, and being the voice for those who were afraid to speak out. I have personally worked with Mark many times dealing with city/county issues, and I can tell the voters of District 35 that Mark Kirkeby will make a great legislator.

When you go to the polls to select your state representatives, I would encourage you to vote for two candidates that have the experience and leadership that District 35 deserves.

State Rep. ALAN HANKS

Rapid City

Vote with pride

My appeal goes out to all moderate Republicans who have seen the loss of their party to extremists. Like most voters, I am pro-life and I vote. However, the extremists have demonized those of us who don't want state government intruding into our parental lives.

I appeal to the moderates to take a look at family-orientated candidates in District 32 for Senate, Tom Katus and House candidates Pam Hemmingsen and Suzan Nolan. These candidates are inclusive of everyone, do not create wedges or have the arrogance of the extremists.

Katus, Hemmingsen and Nolan are not one-issue candidates. They not only care about parental rights, but also care about raising the minimum wage, fair health insurance for all and making education a higher priority.

The team of Katus, Hemmingsen and Nolan will work with moderate state Republican legislators for all residents of District 32, not alienate and chastise the moderates.

To Democratic voters of District 32, you can be very proud of Katus, Hemmingsen and Nolan having the ability of being very good and capable Democratic candidates while giving the moderate Republicans an opportunity to vote with pride for an alternative to extremists.

RITCHIE NORDSTROM

Rapid City

She lived

The Journal reported that around two dozen pro-abortion advocates protested outside the Open Bible Church as Gianna Jessen was performing last Friday, Sept. 23. What had she done that was so offensive to these folks that they "braved a cold rain" to protest?

She lived.

When Gianna was seven months along in the womb, her mother had a saline abortion administered at an abortion clinic to end the pregnancy. Gianna was burned by the poison and suffers from cerebral palsy as a result of the lack of oxygen to her brain during delivery. She should have been stillborn but stubbornly was born alive, weighing two pounds.

Doctors then said she would never be able to hold her head up. She has now run in several marathons (albeit with a limp) and is an accomplished musician living in Nashville.

Gianna questions, "If abortion is about women's rights, where were my rights?"

I support their right to protest, but protesting Gianna's life showed an extreme amount of poor taste and highlights the absurdity of abortion.

As Ronald Reagan put it, "I've noticed that everybody that is for abortion has already been born."

Please vote yes for life on Referred Law 6.

PHILIP S. JERDE

Reva

Lack of action

On July 10 I wrote to Gov. Rounds regarding the inequality of property assessments in South Dakota. No answer.

The content of the letter was an effort and suggestion for continuing oversight on the appeals that are made to the County Equalization Departments statewide.

The first page was an explanation of a problem, which instituted an overall look at assessments by these departments statewide. The problem presented was an increase in assessment of over 3,400 percent, yes, 34 times, a 2003 assessment on a property that Rapid City will not issue a building permit due to Flood Hazard zoning of the property.

My suggestion to the governor was that all assessments, which are appealed in the state, be checked over by the Department of Revenue so that Boards of Equalization and the assessors be held accountable for their disputed decisions. In many cases the appeals are "rubber stamped" by the varied Boards of Appeal backing the assessment departments.

As a result of this lack of action by the governor, the alternative is to vote Yes on Amendment "D" in November. Amendment "D" will stabilize assessments by only allowing a maximum increase in property assessments of 3 percent a year.

J. ROBERT KNECHT

Rapid City

Nonpartisan

I support the election of Pete Fuller for circuit court judge. I believe this election should be based on competence and fairness. Not on politics.

A party to a lawsuit should not have to be concerned with the political party of a judge. Rather the concern should be with getting a fair trial.

Partisanship has no place in the courtroom. All of us are entitled to a fair hearing from the court. I find it regrettable that this contest has been one where political party affiliation has been raised by one of the candidates.

Pete Fuller is clearly the most qualified candidate in this contest. Please join me in supporting his retention on the bench.

DOYLE ESTES

Hill City

'Quasi' undefined

Theocracy advocate Bob Ellis (Sept. 26 letter) claims everyone knows what "quasi marriage" means. Yet, he still doesn't offer a definition.

He claims it is used in 300 legal cases and there are millions of uses for "quasi" on the Internet. That's our point! Which of those uses and interpretations are they using? It's not defined in the law. There's no legal definition for "quasi marriage."

The term was carefully chosen because its variety of interpretations fits into the agenda of extremists who want to use it to legally discriminate and deny protections, rights, benefits and recognition to any relationship they don't approve, gay or straight.

It's clear this amendment will have profound negative consequences for the non-traditional families, gay and straight.

It'll create a hierarchy of families with some worthy of protections and recognition and others not. It's scary to think about the negative consequences, intended and unintended, of this extremist agenda on all our lives.

Do we want government interfering in our personal lives and relationships? Should the state be the interpreter of scriptures or the promoter of religious beliefs? We need only look to the Middle East to see the results of that.

Good neighbors don't discriminate. Vote no on Amendment C.

MICHAEL M. COATS

West River Coordinator, South Dakotans Against Discrimination

Rapid City

Secret sessions

The letter to the editor from Kaity Parks on Sept. 24, "No on Amendments," singled out Amendment F and urged a no vote.

I am a member of the Constitutional Revision Commission that recommended what is now Amendment F to the Legislature. The current Section 15 of Article III of the South Dakota Constitution provides, "The sessions of each house and of the committee of the whole shall be open, unless when the business is such as ought to be kept secret." This language would permit a majority of either house to vote to go into secret session and take whatever action it saw fit while in such secret session.

The proposed change would read: "All legislative sessions and joint sessions shall be open to the public unless a two-thirds majority of the membership declares the business is such as ought to be kept secret. No votes may be taken at any session or meeting closed to the public."

This amendment would, in fact, make it much more difficult for the Legislature to go into secret session and would strictly prohibit any votes being taken while in secret session.

Amendment F is a needed improvement. A "yes" vote is recommended.

GENE N. LEBRUN

Rapid City

Let Catherine do it

About 10 years ago I was a conservative Republican letting George do it. Now I have undergone a metamorphosis into a moderate Democrat

I no longer believe in "letting George do it." Since I met Catherine Ratliff, Democratic candidate for the position of senator to the state Legislature, I believe there is still hope for changing the outlandish imbalance in our state Legislature, from 59-19 in the House and 25-10 in the Senate.

She and her fellow candidates from District 30 are so organized and energized that I volunteered to try to get her and Jerry Bloomer (House candidate) and Rick Hanson (House candidate) elected in November to correct this imbalance in our state Legislature.

I and many others have volunteered to no longer say: "Let George do it." What if Martin Luther King had said, "Let George do it"?

DUANE DODSON

Hot Springs

Went too far

Stephanie, the first time that I voted in June 2004 it was for you. I can't tell you how excited I was to vote for you - you seemed to promise so much. I voted for you with all the enthusiasm and idealism that you could imagine.

Almost immediately you disappointed and dashed my hope upon your spineless vote to amend the Constitution to prevent gay marriage.

Congresswoman, you betrayed your most loyal supporters by voting to write intolerance into that document. And perversely, you seemed to bask in the glory that came with that vote.

You followed it up with a vote to demand that the Pledge include the words, "Under God," to pass the bankruptcy bill, to open ANWR, reauthorize the Patriot Act, to force the government into death of Terri Schiavo, and permanently repeal the estate tax. You behaved cowardly in every one of these situations and should be ashamed. Where were your guts and conviction?

But today, you went too far, and endorsed torture and unchecked presidential authority when you voted for the Military Commissions Act. You failed to lead.

Not that it matters to you, but congresswoman, you replaced my enthusiasm with jaded cynicism.

BRYAN FISHER

Rapid City

Send her to Pierre

I lived with my family for 27 years in District 32 and rarely did I have the chance to vote as enthusiastically for a legislative candidate as would be the case this year.

Suzan Nolan meets new people with delight, greets old friends with pleasure, and listens to each one. She brings the ideas they have to bear on what she has learned in a long career in education and counseling and carefully crafts positions she believes in and will fight for.

Our Legislature will more nearly represent us when she serves there, giving attention to education funding and health care needs.

Send Suzan Nolan to the Legislature.

CAROL LYNCH

Deadwood

Distorting truth

After reading the comments by Sen. Johnson in the Journal I had to speak out. The anti-life people and groups are distorting the truth.

When you read the bill HB1215, Section 3 states that a woman can, prior to conception, receive medical treatment to prevent pregnancy. It also states that if a doctor performs a procedure to save the life of a pregnant woman, he/she is not guilty of violating Section 2.

Section 3 covers rape, incest and the life of the mother.

Planned Parenthood and other abortion operations are not concerned about the woman or child, they are concerned about the money that they will be losing. They work hard to keep the public ignorant of their real agenda.

They distort the truth: It's not a choice, it's a baby.

Those who believe that "choice to kill the unborn" is God's gift do not know the God who created life. You are deceived.

Those who are pro-life, get the facts, get involved, vote early and get others who are pro-life to do the same.

Vote for life, vote yes on referred law "6," HB1215.

For the truth go to www.voteyesforlife.com.

ANDY ANDERSON

Belle Fourche

Best choice

Lately I had the opportunity to discuss some of my concerns about the future of our state with a very capable candidate for District 32 House. That aspiring legislator's name is Pam Hemmingsen.

I've been in the thick of local government, and I can tell you from personal experience that some folks belong in public service and some definitely do not.

Pam Hemmingsen is a candidate that should be given a chance to solve some of our state's problems. She had answers for my questions that made good business sense. She's got background and experience in business and was involved in Iowa Young Republicans as a teenager. I'm thoroughly impressed with her knowledge and research of the challenges we face.

She is running as a Democrat, and I hope you'll join me in casting your vote for her.

We all hear South Dakotans (me included) proudly say that they vote for the person and their qualifications, many times crossing party lines to elect the best. This District 32 race for S.D. House is a perfect opportunity for Republicans to do just that by voting for Pam Hemmingsen. She's by far the best choice, whether you're a "D" or an "R."

JERRY MUNSON

Rapid City

Wide open abortions

Elections should be about the truth. The debate about HB1215 may not be full of lies, but there's a lot of mistruths and deception.

HB1215 is a law that can be changed during any legislative session. If the debate were really about rape and incest, why aren't we talking about changing it in the next Legislature? Change it to something that works for all?

Defeat of HB1215 is not about exceptions, it's about unlimited abortions. If you vote to repeal HB1215, you're actually voting for abortion on demand, abortion as a means of birth control, and abortion for convenience.

If you vote to repeal HB1215, you'll be voting for the death of 800 babies that didn't have anything to do with rape or incest.

The truth! Repealing HB1215 is for wide-open abortions, not just rape and incest exceptions.

If you love babies, and see those cute little babies in the park, grocery store, mall, or cafe, think very carefully about your vote to repeal HB1215.

When you vote, are you going to vote to end the life of a baby, or are you going to vote to give that baby a chance to live? Vote Yes on 6.

State Sen. BILL NAPOLI

Rapid City

Does it so well

Rep. Ed McLaughlin deserves another term in the state Legislature. He has an extensive background in administration ranging from being a superintendent of schools, former mayor of Rapid City and present member of the House of Representatives. He is especially well-suited for his position on the Education Committee with his doctorate in school administration. He is reasoned in his thought process and makes his own decisions regardless of political pressures.

I have truly enjoyed working for him when he was mayor and with him in the House. While we have not always agreed, I have always been impressed with his reasoning and his willingness to hear the other side of an issue.

I urge the voters of District 34 to allow this man to continue representing them. He does it so well.

State Rep. THOMAS HENNIES

Rapid City

Correction

The Sept. 28 letter by Marty Mahrt of Custer misspelled his first name. It also should have read: "Thanks to all the citizens of Pierre, marching bands and parade participants, sponsors, guest speakers, USO and entertainers."

Letters welcome

Mail to Letters, Rapid City Journal, Box 450, Rapid City, SD 57709. Fax: 394-8463. E-mail to: letters@rapidcityjournal.com Letters are limited to 200 words and must include full name, complete address and phone number. Two letters per month. Letters may be edited. Phone: 394-8427. The deadline for election letters is Friday, Oct. 27.