Opinion News
Letters to the editor, 11-26
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She needed a hero
I read Stan Adelstein's letter (Nov. 14) praising himself in defeating Referred Law 6. The woman made a mistake, made a difficult decision, chose abortion, went on to graduate, marry and have a "healthy family."
She could have had the same things if she hadn't had an abortion, and had one more blessing to be thankful for.
Mr. Adelstein, who has taken a powerful stand to teach our youth about the horrors of the Holocaust with "Schindler's List," doesn't understand how he has bought into the Third Reich's philosophy.
What that woman needed is a real man to stand up and protect her and the child. She didn't need someone to guide her to the abortionist. She needed someone capable to support and encourage the woman that the struggle would be worth it and encourage her to give life.
She needed a hero, not Stan Adelstein.
That man would be someone like Bob Fischer. We need more men like him.
Amazing, we sacrificed 790 babies aborted for convenience, for a possible 23 aborted for rape and incest and we could have had them all live. But we maintained a cover for rapists to hide their crime!
I pray for mercy, not justice.
CLARK SOWERS
Belle Fourche
Pearson broke law
Auditor Julie Pearson broke the law. Check SDCL 12-14-1 and 12-14-1.1, and 12-14-2. Does this mean anything to some of you?
State law clearly says: Only county commissioners have the authority to move polling places, and they must notify the auditor 30 days before an election of the precinct boundary changes if any have been made. The auditor doesn't have authority to move a polling place four days before an election.
I believe Pearson tried to force her political views onto a private group by forcing them to put signs on their private property when they didn't want to.
Pearson apparently got her nose out of joint when the church refused to allow pro-abortion signs on the property before the election.
The county rents that property for one day! Pastor Potts specifically told the auditor's office: "There would be no signs of any kind on the property election day." This same policy had been used for the previous six elections.
Signs are not the issue; the issue is obeying the law.
Evidently, Pearson thinks she's above the law and can do whatever she wants.
I could care less about signs. What I care about is the people's right to vote.
Sen. BILL NAPOLI
Rapid City
Shut up and drive
I have had some of my more memorable crises on the phone. Take, for example, the day my son was almost killed on Rimrock, or the day my Mom died, or how about the day my Dad's doctor called to say my Dad had died.
Fortunately, I was not driving a car and talking on my cell phone when those events came to pass.
Maybe, however, it was an event similar to the aforementioned that caused that lady to pull out in front of me on Jackson Boulevard the other day. Fortunately, for both of us, I was able to pull a quick lane change and avoid a broadside that certainly would have sent her to the hospital, if not worse. As I passed, though, I had to assume everything was OK because she was laughing! She didn't apparently realize it, but she had almost caused a fairly severe "accident."
Does anyone else out there think that it would be too much to ask for folks to assume a little more responsibility when using their cell phones while driving?
Here's a thought: "Pull over and talk, or shut up and drive"! Any other thoughts out there?
MARK S. MURPHY
Johnson Siding
Second theater
I would like to express my appreciation to Richard Wahlstrom, the rest of the board of directors of the Black Hills Community Theatre (BHCT), and the directors of the other arts groups comprising the Performing Arts Coalition (PAC). They have worked tirelessly these last four years to give Rapid City a desperately needed second performing arts theater.
After years of pursuing workable partnerships, the PAC and BHCT now find themselves without a partner and only minimally closer to having a new home.
Worse yet, the Dahl will not be available to them starting fall of 2007. 2012 money earmarked to help fund a new community theatre may be jeopardized to cover a $7 million estimating mistake for the Civic Center expansion, none of which will be used to replace failing Civic Center Theatre stage equipment.
The BCHT has enjoyed 30 years of consistent, wide public support. It is my hope that a possible partnership with the Journey can be reached in a timely and beneficial fashion for both entities, but time is growing precious.
I urge the city and the public to support building a new, stand-alone community theater with your voices and your dollars.
THOMAS PALM
Hermosa
What's their motive?
I am a teacher in the Rapid City School District and a member of the Rapid City Education Association. I am wondering what the Rapid City School Board's real motive is in regards to eliminating RCEA association leave.
If the motive is to save money, RCEA reimburses the school district for leave taken. If the reason is communication, RCEA can choose to have either one president or co-presidents, and the school district and board could still communicate with one person. If it is because of time from teaching, the district and board desire that teachers seek out professional development and often the association leaves are used for a greater understanding of educational issues.
The Rapid City School Board has agreed on association leave with RCEA since 1983 - that is 23 years!
Why does the board want to change the association leave now? Is the real reason to try to destroy the teacher's union?
RCEA has more members now than ever; it will continue to thrive. RCEA is a professional organization that is working to improve education in Rapid City.
MARY POCHANT
Rapid City
It's our money
Recently, I've been following the actions of the city council, and a few things worry me.
First of all, is the civic center expansion, split into two sections, truly justified, or is it going to become the twin towers of mediocrity, joining the Journey, in a unique building, without a crowd?
Secondly, and more disturbing, was the city attorney's position that aldermen shouldn't have to deal with questioning from citizens on issues.
Kudos to Sam Kooiker for defending the people that elected him, but I wonder, do the rest of the aldermen feel after they're elected that they no longer have to respond to their peers and are above the normal citizens?
Lastly, do we truly have control of the Vision 2012 fund? After all, it is our money they take every day we spend a dollar.
If Shaw and the city feel we don't deserve time to speak on matters, perhaps the 2012 should be closed and any additional money refunded to the people it was taken from.
Then let the 2 percent of the city, who can afford to go to overpriced plays, concerts and civic events fit the bill.
JOSEPH BUDD
Rapid City
Timely price break
Over the past few days, I have noticed the local gas company moguls have been providing decent and fair pricing for gasoline to the Black Hills region. This includes the family-owned retail stations as well, who also have been a couple a cents cheaper than the major retailers.
Today, Nov. 20, the pipeline price in Sioux Falls is 4.5 cents cheaper per gallon than that in Rapid City, but Sioux Falls stations are charging up to $2.21 a gallon at the pump. Over the past couple of weeks, Sioux Falls stations have been raising their prices even though the wholesale price has decreased, while those in the Rapid City area have been keeping the price steady.
I can only hope the oil companies in Rapid City continue to keep the price for gas down to a competitive price, especially with the holidays fast approaching.
JERRY THOVSON
Rapid City
My reward
How can some people say that the economy and education are more important than human life? Would you tell that to God when you meet Him one day? And you will meet Him. What will you then say?
So you think you will live forever and don't have to answer to him? Or maybe it's that you don't believe in Him. Then that explains everything. Go ahead and keep playing God, keep condemning babies to death because that's what you just did.
I base my decisions on pleasing the Lord. I'm so happy I believe in Him, it makes me a better person.
I voted yes on Referred Law 6 and I'm proud of it. My reward is awaiting me in Heaven for that.
I also look at my reward here on Earth: four children and all of my little grandchildren, little great niece and one little great nephew that I am adopting that I enjoy and wouldn't if I believed otherwise, for I am truly blessed.
IRENE CLIFFORD
Rapid City
Downtown's demise
At a recent council meeting, those attending asked the council why they are allowing so many large shopping areas to be developed which will kill the downtown area. They had to admit there was little they could do to stop it.
Thus the city center will slowly die. The advent of big shopping centers at the outskirts of town is the beginning of the city center's demise.
A few years back some business people proposed several ideas to increase and hold customers. One was the development of better parking areas in downtown and to encourage the businesses to stay open later to serve those working 9-5. The suggestions were not followed by the businesses, so the 24/7 shopping centers came to be.
Now the downtown is going falter because of large retail being built on the north and soon the south part of town. The bypass surely will isolate the downtown further. Why should one fight the traffic and limited parking downtown when these centers are so convenient?
It's too bad that the city planners couldn't take the time and develop a good comprehensive plan that would save the city, but now "they" just can't do anything about it.
JIM PHOENIX
Rapid City
Doesn't understand
"Congratulations, South Dakota! Congratulations, Pennington County!" said Stan Adelstein's letter (Nov. 14). "Everyone won." Everyone except the unborn children whom God knit together in their mother's womb (Psalm 139).
As I reflect on Adelstein's words, I'm reminded he just doesn't get it. Bragging about his "Republicans for Choice" award demonstrates he doesn't understand the core of Republicanism is the willingness to stand for the defenseless. The Republican Party has always been about the defense of the defenseless: the slave then, the unborn now.
He says the party's core belief is not infringing on individual freedom. Yet supporting abortion rights is denying that very concept - because no child killed ever enjoys individual freedom.
He says the woman he met went on to be successful after her abortion. But did her child? How strange to think standing firm in support of women means supporting the killing of unborn women.
For Adelstein, South Dakota's voting no on Referred Law 6 and Pennington having the fifth-highest percentage of that vote is "Congratulations indeed!" But for me it's sadness - that God asked if we would stand for those who couldn't stand for themselves, and we said ... "No."
LYNN JONATHAN WILSON
Rapid City
History repeats
History repeats itself. Large numbers of people claiming to support the sanctity of life ignore millions of war victims throughout the world and protest the media if it shows the coffins of soldiers returning from a war largely supported by these same people.
While they protest depictions of these returning coffins, they ignore the daily carnage in the Middle East and the millions who have died in Africa. They continually assail us with their concerns for "all life" while knowingly supporting a war based on lies.
What will happen when we finally do leave Iraq and thousands of Iraqi refugees move to this country to escape retribution? Will they be treated with disdain and hatred by many U.S. citizens as a constant reminder of a chapter of history we would like to forget? It is what happened to many Vietnamese refugees following that ill-conceived war.
Will our veterans also be ignored as an unwanted reminder? And will the rest of society turn a blind eye to this treatment?
I suspect most will. After all, it is the same reaction most of society has to the abuse and neglect of unwanted children!
DEAN R. FLAGE
Sturgis
I'll celebrate later
I read Stan Adelstein's letter of Nov. 14. Where is your victory, Mr. Adelstein? I don't hear anyone cheering.
Some weeks ago, we were on the forefront of the nation in our attempt to ban abortion. Well, Stan, you can get off your high horse. We're again a no-name state with a struggling economy, hungry and homeless people and with tremendous dependence on tourists to keep us going.
We boldly told the world that we refuse "government intrusion" in our lives (except when it comes to government assistance - we'll take that anytime).
I'm also suggesting we care less about "no exceptions" than the fact that we simply want abortion to continue as easy as buying a candy bar from a vending machine.
We can boast that we retained the status quo - open season on the unborn. Then we'll continue to pray that God will bless our country, and give us rain, of course. What hypocrites we are.
But for those of us who care - "Hope springs eternal," and Roe v. Wade will one day be recognized as the worst decision the Supreme Court has ever made.
Yes, Stan, I'm saving my celebrating for later, thank you.
MARY REINART
Rapid City
It's a shame
It really would be great if the troops could come home for a few days before deploying. They deserve it and the families deserve it.
It really is a shame that the Civic Center couldn't have paid for the plane instead of losing 105 or so parking places to put in a foundation that they can't build on. There is some in-house blame for that. Sure seems like someone there would have known that you don't just price a foundation and not the rest of the materials, and get it in writing.
Also, it was a complete shame that they are so greedy that they could not donate Lower Rushmore North along with A&B for the Halloween Fun Night that keeps kids safe, and let's them have fun without worry for one night. Sad, sad.
After all the years it has been there, they couldn't write off one night. It's not like that $3,900 is all they are short on the addition. I guess they will never change.
MIKE BAKER
Black Hawk
Chorus thanks you
The Rapid City Children's Chorus appreciates the support given to them by the many people of our community who attended "The Taste" on Nov. 5.
We also extend our special thanks to KNBN for their sponsorship and their staff, Bob Riggio and Jared Eben, for being our masters of ceremonies.
The entertainment provided by the Shrine of Democracy Chorus, English Tea, the Wacipi Organization from Martin, the Drum Group from Pine Ridge and the Meadowlark School of Drama was outstanding, and we thank them.
This event helps the chorus to continue to develop and expand the choral experience for the young boys and girls in Rapid City and surrounding areas.
We are impressed and appreciative of the support shown the chorus in attending this annual event. Thank you!
HOLLY LUNDE
Chair, "The Taste" Committee
PAULINE J. LUNDE
Executive Director, Rapid City Children's Chorus
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