Thinking voters trust Dems, not 'invitation-only' GOPGRAND FORKS - Just a comment on the "invitation only" (translation: elitist secrecy) meeting with Vice President Dick Cheney on Friday.
And they wonder why any thinking voter trusts the Republican Party.
Notice there is no time mentioned for the "meeting" so that Cheney doesn't have to worry about any real citizen asking a real question (Cheney will arrive at Grand Forks Air Force Base at 11:20 this morning).
Apparently, Mayor Lynn Stauss is satisfied that the rising health-care costs are of no consequence to the city and rural communities. Also, apparently, the incredible deficit incurred by the Iraq invasion is never going to have to be paid for by the city and rural taxpayers.
I am a North Dakota resident, and gosh, I do think before I vote. I would have liked the opportunity to at least see the man. Any guy who has to hide from his taxpayers doesn't get my vote.
Ellen Brehmer
Standing room only vs. invitation onlyEAST GRAND FORKS - After reading the article describing Vice President Cheney's visit to East Grand Forks, I was reminded of former Vice President Walter Mondale's visit back in 1978.
I was a junior at East Grand Forks Senior High School at the time; our gym was the venue from where the vice president spoke. I played clarinet in our varsity band and still recall the feelings of excitement and pride that consumed me as we played the "Minnesota Fight Song" when Mondale walked into our gymnasium.
As I looked around our gym that morning, I saw members of the national and local press; I watched in wonder as Secret Service agents scurried about making certain our vice president was protected. But what amazed me most was the number of ordinary citizens who poured into our school. I could not recall a time when our gym was as crowded. Not even a basketball game against Red River or Central drew such a crowd. This was a "standing room only" event.
In contrast, today's visit by our current vice president is an "invitation only" event. According to the article, Cabela's could hold no more than 300 people. It makes me sad to think that the vice president of our country will be in town Friday, and only 300 "invitation-only" guests will be allowed to hear him speak. I am saddened by this but not surprised. I believe that today's "invitation only" event is an indictment of today's Republican Party. It also is an indictment of the Bush-Cheney administration that is creating an America that is becoming more and more of an "invitation-only" America. Those receiving invitations are the wealthy and connected.
I applaud Henry Tweeten for his courage to speak out at the City Council meeting and would be honored to co-chair his joint committee to invite President Kerry to East Grand Forks.
Sue Thompson
Pomeroy deserves to be re-electedTOLNA, N.D. - A few comments on Duane Sand, No Child Left Behind and Earl Pomeroy.
According to Sand, the Republican leadership in Washington will continue to hold the children of North Dakota hostage until their parents surrender and send Sand to Washington.
Once in Washington, Sand will demonstrate that he is a good sailor by responding to every command with a hearty "Aye, aye." Sand will not be instrumental in any decision-making process, and you can be certain he will not "make waves."
Sand's reasons as to why he should be elected lie somewhere between disgusting and pathetic. His support of provincial blackmail at the expense of children is reprehensible. Perhaps, he should return to his submarine that he may stay out of sight and out of mind.
Then again, No Child Left Behind always has been more about politics and less about education. I find it ironic that some who used to be so strongly opposed to unfunded mandates and out- come-based education now are so strongly supportive. When it comes to hypocrisy, they don't even blink.
As to Pomeroy, better to have a real man with a puppet of Tom Delay.
Ron Schmidt
Liffrig runs without ideasKULM, N.D. - Michael Liffrig, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, apparently thinks a successful campaign strategy will be to attack and distort his opponent's record.
Unfortunately, because Liffrig never talks about the issues of jobs and prescription drug prices, helping family farmers and improving schools, we may not get any kind of a real debate in this campaign on those important matters.
I personally think that Sen. Byron Dorgan has done an excellent job addressing the core issues that affect North Dakotans. It would be useful for Liffrig to tell North Dakotans what he stands for rather than just distorting Dorgan's record.
Sadly, Liffrig seems willing to run a negative, idea-free campaign that offers nothing in the way of proposals that might help North Dakota, strengthen our schools, our kids or our economy.
Deb Lundgren
http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforksherald/news/opinion/9332599.htm
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