With the new session of Congress just beginning, the U.S. Senate has an opportunity to reform its filibuster rule, an arcane parliamentary device which has paralyzed the proceedings of the entire legislative branch of our government and crippled our nation’s ability to meaningfully address the issues of our time. Long before cable television, 24-7 news […]

It is completely predictable that government officials and their compliant media would use the tragedy of a mass killing to promote governmental tyranny in the form of gun control for law-abiding citizens. Such an approach will increase mass shootings because those with evil intent will still be able to obtain firearms, and even the most […]

I am sadly reserving judgment about whether to continue membership in the National Rifle Association. I own about 20 guns, and have taken elk, antelope, whitetail, mule deer and many game birds. If all the gophers gunned down by me were placed end-to-end they would probably extend from Whitefish to somewhere east of Billings. As […]

Winter snow continues to pile up in the mountains and fortunately we even have snow on the valley floor. If you are planning on heading out to enjoy winter in the backcountry make sure to check weather and snow conditions before you go. Although general information is available on the radio, television or in print, […]

The movie “Lincoln” opened in theaters across the country and has rekindled America’s interest in our 16th president. In these current difficult times we need to remember and learn from Abraham Lincoln. He changed our understanding of the meaning of the words “the United States of America,” and rearranged our view of both our government […]

Of the many challenges facing Montana’s lakes and streams, perhaps the most pressing but controllable is the threat posed by aquatic invasive species, or AIS. Aquatic invasives include non-native plants, mussels, pathogens and fish that threaten environmental, commercial, and recreational resources. Montana is still free of many problematic species, but some that plague other states […]

Now is the perfect time to travel the Swan Valley. The numerous deer usually on the road are now aware of hunting season and very scarce. The three-point buck I passed on the way to Helena last week must have sensed that I wasn’t carrying a rifle as he stood next to the road and […]

Folk philosopher Will Rogers commented that “We elect our Presidents, be they Republican or Democrat, then start daring ‘em to make good.” Implicit in Rogers’ observation is that either a Republican or a Democrat is capable of making good. In the modern era when each side assails and demonizes the other we are implored to […]

Although winter is not technically here until Dec. 21, for those who recreate and work in the winter backcountry, winter is here! Snow cover is well established on the mountain peaks and beginning to accumulate on the valley floor. With that said, if traveling in the winter backcountry this season, we need to start thinking […]

Recently I read about the Kalispell City Council meeting where councilors removed themselves from consideration for putting the Ten Commandments and a few other noteworthy displays for all to view at Depot Park. What made it disturbing for me was the comment by a council member that the Ten Commandments was a “divisive” display. I […]

Montana is a powerhouse. For generations, our natural resources have powered this nation’s homes, cities and economy. And we stand to keep powering America for generations to come as one of the top producers of biofuels and bioenergy. Through hard work and innovation, Montana can remain one of the nation’s top energy producers, preserve our […]

The time may be ripe for dispensing with political parties altogether. It’s fall, the harvest is in, and we’re all waiting a bit tensely for the results of November’s political contest. Everyone feels that there’s a lot at stake in this year’s election outcomes. The down economy; conflicts over domestic policy; an uncertain international arena. […]

Montana parents want and need choice in K-12 education. Fifty percent of Montanans would choose an option other than traditional public school for their kids, if possible (see EdChoice.org/MTpoll). So we were not surprised when the ACE Scholarship program we launched earlier this year was wildly oversubscribed. ACE provides partial funding to families with financial […]

Why would our commissioners gut the Flathead County Growth Policy? Must be money rules instead of majority rules because the majority of county residents worked hard to reach the consensus expressed in the 2007 growth policy. Our commissioners have changed all that by removing substantial portions of the document in a less-than transparent way. They […]

As a volunteer board member and fundraising chair of the Whitefish Legacy Partners (WLP), and CEO of the Sportsman & Ski Haus, a corporate sponsor of the Whitefish Trail, I have firsthand knowledge of how projects such as the Whitefish Legacy Lands conservation transactions benefit our schools, our children and the local economy. Don’t be […]