Letters to the Editor, March 25

| Tuesday, March 27, 2007

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Signs both important guides and promotion enhancers

We are pleased the S.D. Department of Transportation is reviewing directional signage along Interstate 90 near Rapid City. Signs are important guides for travelers and we believe this is a chance to improve the quality of service the signs provide, while enhancing promotion of our entire area.

Crazy Horse Memorial representatives at the March 13 DOT open house commented on sign options being considered at Exit 57 and Exit 61. We expressed support to better inform travelers of routes into Rapid City and the alternative routes to southern Black Hills attractions. Accurate signs are essential in helping travelers make informed decisions. When travelers have more than one stop in mind, they should have the information needed to select either the Exit 57 business district route or the Exit 61 truck route.

Businesses in Rapid City and area towns provide travelers with valuable services, and we know well the challenges they face in making ends meet. Crazy Horse Memorial is proud to be on record in support of these neighbors.

The DOT’s review provides a rare opportunity to bring about changes that will enhance travelers’ experiences and the image of our area.

RUTH ZIOLKOWSKI

President and chief executive officer

Crazy Horse Memorial

Maybe motorcyclist’s behavior helped save a life

Virginia Moncrieff feels that a motorcyclist “terrified” her daughter (Letters, March 18).

The sad fact of the matter is, Ms. Moncrieff’s 17-year-old daughter weighing “less than 100 pounds” is just as dangerous as a 6-4, 300-pound criminal when it comes to the deadly mix of four-wheeled vehicles, carelessness and motorcycles.

I would like to ask Moncrieff if she’s ever watched the blood pour — not drip — out of someone’s head because of the failure to yield the right of way to a motorcyclist. I saw this happen to my father because someone “pulled out in front of him.” What Moncrieff seems to see as a minor offense is a life-or-death situation for motorcyclists. If Moncrieff is so interested in justice, perhaps she would like to turn her daughter over to law enforcement for failure to yield the right-of-way. I suspect the motorcyclist she crucified in her letter felt more like a frightened boy than a “big man” as he chewed out her daughter for what she did.

While I don’t condone this motorcyclist’s actions, maybe he saved a life. Perhaps because of his actions, Moncrieff’s helpless little daughter will look again before endangering someone else’s life.

AARON GROW

Hill City

Creationism is not science; look to reason

It is necessary to respond to the column by Mr. Bob Ellis, “Creationists aren’t afraid of science” (Opinion, March 20). One may look to the decision by Republican U.S. Circuit Judge John E. Jones, in which he decried the “breathtaking inanity” of the Dover Pennsylvania school board decision to teach “intelligent design” in the public school classroom. He quoted “overwhelming evidence” that intelligent design “is a religious view, a mere re-labeling of creationism, and not a scientific theory.” (http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/sections/news/051220_kitzmiller_342.pdf)

He is supported in his ruling by amicus briefs from leading scientists, clergy and concerned laypeople.

Religion masquerading as science is unsupportable as science and unsuitable as religion. It is neither necessary nor sufficient to invoke a supernatural creator to explain the amazing diversity of life on our planet. It is particularly disturbing that the programs mentioned by Mr. Ellis are being presented to children in grades 4-8, an impressionable age to be sure. We must look to reason, not superstition, if we are going to flourish as a society.

PETER HENDRICKSEN

Rapid City

Eating fried chicken fine, but littering is not

This is in response to The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (Opinion, March 19) about the person throwing cigarette packages out their car window every day on Highway 44. It makes me wonder if this person is related to someone who travels Highway 385 on a daily basis.

Someone goes to the market in Hill City nearly every day, and picks up a box of fried chicken. This person then travels north on Highway 385 and finishes the chicken somewhere between Sheridan Lake and Pactola Lake.

The reason I know they finish their chicken in this area is because they toss their gnawed-off chicken bones and container out the window onto the highway. If a person was to watch the ditches between these two lakes, you will see the used fried chicken containers littering this beautiful highway. This has been going on for at least two years, probably longer.

To the person who enjoys your fried chicken, good for you, but what gives you the right to leave your trash on the highway when you are finished with your lunch?

ANGIE LANCASTER

Hill City

Hope someone will run against Schumacher

I like Mike Schumacher, a decent guy. I was wrong about his integrity.

Schumacher was a very close friend of Sam Kooiker. Schumacher encouraged Kooiker to run for mayor. Schumacher has had many run-ins with Jim Shaw and was diametrically opposed to most of Shaw’s positions.

Schumacher in supporting Kooiker’s run for mayor was obviously opposed to Shaw’s re-election. Now, because Big Money is thrown at Schumacher, he (Schumacher) says he’s rethought his position and now supports Shaw. I can’t believe Shaw is allowing this debacle to cast a shadow over his campaign.

I believe Schumacher’s actions speak loudly of his lack of integrity. The real question is how many other issues has Schumacher rethought because of money, perks, or some benefit to himself?

As a councilman, is Schumacher now for sale to the highest bidder? So from now on every vote Schumacher makes will be questionable as to his honesty.

Schumacher is up for re-election. I hope there is someone out there who will run against him, and return honesty and integrity to Ward 1.

BILL NAPOLI

Rapid City

Thanks for compassion, concern shown for family

Renate James and her family are sending this sincere thank you out to all the nurses and nurse aides in the oncology ward on the 10th floor at Rapid City Regional Hospital. We also want to thank Joan and all the gals in your hospice care program.

Our gratitude goes to each and every one of you who took the time to love and care for Renate in her time of need. You compassion and concern helped all of us through this hard time.

JACK JAMES AND FAMILY

Piedmont

Science isn’t afraid of religion either

Recently there appeared in the Journal a column entitled “Creationists aren’t afraid of science” (Opinion, March 20). It then went on with the usual six-day creation and so forth.

I can assure the author that to the extent science is aware of creationism, science isn’t afraid of religion either. Religion, I suppose, will never stop messing with science. One of the reasons for this is the abysmal level of the adult understanding of science in this country.

It has long been held here that if you can turn on a light bulb, you understand quantum physics. Many scientists are religious but scientists generally understand the difference between the physical and metaphysical world. I believe in God, and I consider myself a religious person. I am not a fundamentalist and I hold a firm faith that God did not give me a brain to hold up my hair.

When I work at The Journey Museum on a fossil that is perhaps 70 million years old, I am overwhelmed by the beauty of this natural process. Evolution is an astounding mystery. This is creationism, the wonderful natural process that I see in science, the religious awe that comes from my religious belief.

JON A. BOONE

Rapid City

Appalling that deer hide discarded in public

I took my two small children to the Piedmont Library Thursday, and afterwards the kids played in the city park until my son noticed a dead animal. I am no hunter, but upon further inspection, it looked like if might have been a deer hide.

This wasn’t an animal attack as there was nothing left but the hide, with bits of fur strewn around the park by the wind. My 4-year old has been obsessed with the “dead animal” and has told everyone we talked to today.

I am appalled that someone would dispose of the waste in a city park, near an overflowing garbage can. Be a responsible hunter. Respect your town as well as nature.

My husband mentioned that he hiked on Forest Service land last weekend off High Meadows Road and saw several hides discarded in the woods. How sad.

S.M. JENNER

Black Hawk

Wide moat would help solve our problems

Flying to see the grandkids used to be fun. President Bush says we’re winning the war against terrorists. He hasn’t flown on a commercial plane lately.

You have to be at the airport two hours early. When you check in, there’s a guy going through your suitcases like a 9-year-old opening presents Christmas morning. The metal detector is not fun, as my wife has a pacemaker. While she’s being patted down, I’m trying to keep my pants up and collect all of our things that have been screened. And in the larger airports, nobody speaks English.

Now we’ve spent billions of dollars trying to keep terrorists out of our country and our southern border is wide open. Some of those billions could have been spent this way: build a moat deep and wide from California to the tip of Texas. The dirt could be hauled to New Orleans to take care of their levy problem. The water to fill the moat would come from the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. That takes care of global warming.

Round up all the unwanted alligators in Florida and put them in the moat. Post signs saying, “Beware: Slow swimmers will be lunch.”

RAY KASIAH

Rapid City

Aslesen deserves return to school board

I’m writing to urge all voters in the Spearfish School District to vote to re-elect Rosalie Aslesen to the Spearfish School Board. The election is Tuesday, April 10, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Spearfish Senior Center. Early voting is now also available at Spearfish City Hall during business hours. Don’t forget your ID for voting either on

April 10 election day or for early voting!

Rosalie Aslesen has served three years on the Spearfish School Board. She has worked hard to help our kids get the best possible education in a rapidly changing world. With 24 years work experience at the Spearfish High School Library, she knows our school system from the inside. As a former president of the Spearfish Education Association, she knows the needs of our teachers. In the community, Aslesen has served 12 years on United Church of Christ boards.

Please vote to re-elect Rosalie Aslesen to the Spearfish School Board.

DAVID NICKEL

Spearfish

Creationism seminar far from truth of God

It’s interesting that we will have a seminar on creationism in Rapid City. Unfortunately, this meeting of misinformed people begins with a false scientific premise stating that the Bible is the inerrant word of God, and by association, that the Genesis story of creation is history.

It is my feeling that the choice to view the Bible as the inerrant word of God could be the death of Christianity. It perverts not only our-God given intelligence but also the basic tenets of legitimate science. There is a danger that people will begin to believe that one cannot believe in legitimate science as well as religion.

There are those of us who do not believe in the inerrancy of the Bible but do believe in God, in the creation of the world, and in evolution. The historical-critical method of biblical interpretation allows us to remain committed Christians who will not be swayed by false science forced by the fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible. This seminar is far from the truth God would have us believe.

VAUDETH OBERLANDER

Rapid City

Reopening case hurts child and family again

I just cannot believe what I am reading, after one litle boy was found dead and another whose suspected murderer is on trial for her murder after for burying her alive.

Another just died, again in the hands of another molester who, like all the others, had been charged many times before on identical charges but set free.

And now a South Dakota lawyer who wants her 15 minutes of fame wants to retry a molester who was charged with pedophilia and rape eight years ago and found guilty. Now this lawyer wants to set him free because he may have been “delusional” while

commiting his crime. Give me a break.

These people will try anything to get free to rape and kill again. You cannot cure someone who is not sick, they choose to do the crimes.

Does this lawyer given any thoughts to the child and his family? It has been eight years, and to reopen the case would victimize the child and family all over again. Surely this lawyer does not need money this bad.

GENEVIEVE REDFIELD

Sundance, Wyo.

Good things really do happen to good people

Pennington County/Rapid City may have many good cops. You certainly have one in recently promoted Matt Sargent, who now has the euphonious title of Sergeant Sargent.

In two situations I know of, Sargent showed kindness and exceptional competence as well as the professional courteous conduct we expect.

It is nice to know that good work is sometimes rewarded.

DON REESE

Hampstead, N.H.

Stop movement to become ‘NAU’

There appears to be a movement afoot to integrate the U.S., Canada, and Mexico into a “North American Union” (NAU) similar to the EU. The framework for this is the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) agreement by each of said countries’ leaders.

There are indications that this is much more than a security agreement. In fact, there are at least a dozen states considering legislation opposing the SPP/NAU, and South Dakota is one of them. The resolution is SCR7 in the South Dakota Senate. In the U.S. House of Representatives, there is HCR40.

I contacted Rep. Herseth’s office on this issue, but they claimed ignorance of the whole thing (not a good sign). When they did respond, it was rather lukewarm, and referred me to a Web site I had already read months ago.

For background on this issue please visit www.stopthenau.org and view the Lou Dobbs news clip. Is your country worth 10 minutes of your time to call or write your state and federal representatives? We’d better do something now, because there does seem to be a point of “too late.”

STEVEN R. TANSKA

Belle Fourche

Stance against war not show of nonsupport

Shirley Bauer’s letter to the editor March 11 is full of untrue statements and a lie. She admits that she wrote “liberalism is a cult” and that their unproven support of the troops doesn’t impress her.

For her information, taking a stance against the “Civil War” in Iraq, which the Pentagon just admitted to, is not a show of non-support for the troops who are being slaughtered and crippled for life by the thousands.

She also says I think she is un-American because she claims no political party. I know nothing about her affiliation with any party and have never addressed the subject. I want Shirley to explain this to me and the public readership.

She goes on to say, “Doris and the hippies were born at the end of World War II, didn’t learn history and do not understand patriotism. They write childish venomous letters against others.” Setting the record straight is neither.

History will show the Bush-Cheney lies about Iraq’s rat hole, however, will justify Afghanistan as retaliation for 9/11. Shirley Bauer admits she does not claim a political party. In reality she wants to ride the fence and criticize everyone and everything.

DORIS ANN TIBKE

Piedmont

The electoral vote tally is what matters

In Alice Davis Smith’s letter (Letters, March 16), she said Al Gore won the popular vote and in any other country he would have been president. In what country? We have an electoral system that allows the people to choose their president. What other country has free elections like ours?

Al Gore won the popular vote; so what? It’s nothing but a poll. It means nothing. If the popular vote mattered, Thomas Dewey would have been the 33rd president.

The electoral college is in the U.S. Constitution, Article 2, Section 1. That’s how important the framers thought the election process was. It allows all the states a chance to have their votes count. If your candidate didn’t win, I’m sorry, but there can only be one winner. Now do you want to remove a state’s right to hold elections? Who would win in a popular vote in such liberal states as New York and Massachusetts? Talk about being disenfranchised!

OK, he should have one. We know President Clinton’s stance on terrorism; would the former vice president’s be any different? He’s more concerned about global warming.

DANA BURNELL TOMPKINS

Rapid City

I’m here today because of an organ transplant

April is National Donate Life Month, and in the spirit of giving, I encourage all South Dakotan’s to register to be an organ, tissue and eye donor. This subject touches a soft spot in my heart because I am here today because someone gave me a second chance through an organ transplant.

Almost 10 years ago, on July 10, 1997, I received a kidney transplant, thanks to my sister Tina. She had the courage to step forward and give me one of her kidneys. How incredible is that? Unfortunately, there are many people who never get the chance I did, and die because the organ they need is not available.

Join me in thanking all the organ donors of the world. You can save lives too! Through organ donation, you could save or enhance up to 60 lives and provide the recipients another chance to return to a happy and normal life.

LARRY WETSCH

Rapid City

VA staff helped family through tough time

I would like to thank all the staff on ward G at Fort Meade for their wonderful care of my father and the vets on that ward. I would like to thank Dr. Gwinn, Mary Graham, Lilah, Lynnelle, Kay, Ron, Adriana and Cheryl. If I have forgotten anyone I apologize.

Your care and compassion helped my family through a difficult time. We will always remember you. In light of the recent publicity of veterans care, you proved that there are facilities that do a wonderful job. Thank You

RUSS WILSON

Rapid City