Disturbing – Thoughts From The Middle of Nowhere

<a href="http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/09/08/build/state/20-fortharrison.inc">Montana officials asked to prepare for 500 Katrina evacuees</a> n nI read this yesterday and was sure our state officials were working hard to get ready for these people and to show the world how us Montana's pitch in and help other people in the face of a disaster. Why <a href="http://governor.mt.gov/governor/govbio.asp">Gov. Brian Schweitzer</a> even said, "Let's show the world the kind of fabric Montana is made of." n nSo <a href="http://www.billingsgazette.com//index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/09/10/build/state/35-mt-evacs.inc">today I see</a> what kind of fabric the Governor is made of. n n<blockquote><a href="http://governor.mt.gov/governor/govbio.asp">Gov. Brian Schweitzer</a> on Friday asked President Bush to declare an emergency for the state as a result of Hurricane Katrina, a move required for Montana to be reimbursed for its costs if it takes in any evacuees.</blockquote> n nReally shows people how those hard working independent Montana spirits handle things, <a href="http://governor.mt.gov/governor/govbio.asp">Gov. Brian Schweitzer</a> put his hand out and begs for money. Not a single evacuee has shown up yet but the Governor is quick to throw his hand out for the Federal largess. Makes me ashamed of our state that this is the way they "prepare" for helping people. n nI find it disturbing that according to Gov. Schweitzer, the fabric Montana's are made of is to put your hand out and demand money. n nThe family is in flux, and signs of trouble are widespread. Expectations remain high. But realities are disturbing. Robert Neelly Bellah