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Opinion

Guest Column

Protect Forests, Strengthen Timber Industry

Montana once boasted a strong timber industry that helped maintain healthy forests, supported local jobs and provided a steady revenue stream for our counties and schools. But in recent decades, inflexible federal policies and unrelenting appeals and lawsuits have imposed a huge administrative burden on federal agencies, limited our mills’ access to timber and ultimately […]

By Steve Daines
Letter

LETTER: Trail a Long Time in the Making

During the mid-1970s, a citizens group in and around West Glacier nearly succeeded in creating a bike and horse path to be constructed between Hungry Horse and Glacier National Park. Working together were 4-H kids, horse enthusiasts, bicyclists and many local residents. The initial plan was to have a path on each side of the […]

By Catherine Richter?
Like I Was Saying

Best Summer Job Ever

I often joke with our summer intern, Izzy Makman, that her time at the Beacon will be the best summer job she ever has. “The best!” I say, “The last summer intern refused to leave until we hired him.” I’m referencing full-time staff writer Justin Franz, who really did refuse to leave until we hired […]

By Kellyn Brown
Opinion

Compromise and Universal Truths

By John Fuller Introductory political science classes (usually taught by liberals) teach that the ABC’s of American politics are Argue, Bargain and Compromise. The theory is that no one has sole access to the truth and as long as there is a compromise then everyone can have “half a loaf.” When the issues in dispute […]

By John Fuller | Joe Carbonari
Letter

LETTER: Military Strategy Hopelessly Flawed

The 9/11 terrorist attack on the Trade Towers and Pentagon resulted in the death of 2,996 civilians and about $11 billion in property damage. Our nation’s response, however, (the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq) has resulted in 6,700 of our soldiers killed, 50,000 maimed and the expenditure of about $1 trillion. In addition, this attack […]

By Bill Payne
Closing Range

The Best Available Science

Since Diane Smith’s guest column last week stole my Whitefish “doughnut” thunder, I’m free to follow up on another peeve. Thanks, Diane. I wrote earlier about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s draft grizzly bear delisting plan, suggesting loyal readers take the time to comment. I’ll confess I didn’t comment – without a PhD, a […]

By Dave Skinner
Business Is Personal

Experience or Cultural Fit – Which Matters Most When Hiring?

Doctor Obvious says “Hiring the right people is crucial for any small business.” While Dr. O has a point, what the good doctor won’t tell you is what’s most important about finding the right people. What’s more important to you when hiring? Experience? Cultural fit? Attitude? Experience matters Production experience matters, no matter what “production” […]

By Mark Riffey
Guest Column

Montana’s Federal Economic Footprint

It’s been quite a party. But the hangover might be a doozy. After four straight years of trillion-dollar annual budget deficits, the news is dawning on all political parties that the federal budget is long due for serious repair, and that less spending is part of the process. As a state that historically has gotten […]

By Patrick Barkey
Letter

LETTER: Water Compact Falsehoods

A July 31 column (“Water Wrongs”) in the Flathead Beacon by Dave Skinner captures key historical observations about the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, but he evidently failed to read the Proposed Compact. He merely repeats inaccurate information he heard others bantering about as fact. Below is a brief breakdown explaining how some of these […]

By Joe Durglo
Letter

LETTER: The Real Threat is Pike

After reading articles and letters on the lake trout and mysis shrimp introduction I have to comment on the pike and their devastating effect on trout. When mysis shrimp was introduced I was doing lots of volunteer work for Fish and Game. Most all my work was for bull trout done in Cole Creek but […]

By Gee Weaver
Like I Was Saying

2014 Shapes Up

Since 2013 is going to be a boring election year, with a number of uncontested races for citywide offices, let’s look ahead to 2014 in what could be an incredibly fun year for politics, at least for those of us covering them. Let’s just assume Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Daines opts to run for retiring […]

By Kellyn Brown
Opinion

National Security and Surveillance

By John Fuller In recent months, the American people have had disturbing revelations that our government has been spying on them in unprecedented amounts and methods. The intelligence community has claimed that the efficacy of these dragnet and warrantless searches have been instrumental in helping to prevent attacks on the U.S. and its allies. They […]

By John Fuller | Joe Carbonari
Uncommon Ground

Weather Costs

I was buying black licorice in Arlee when the Jocko Fire had just exploded in the mountains far outside the store window. By the next day nearly 2,000 acres burned. Hopefully it soon rains long and steady. There are numerous fires burning in Montana, all of which thirst for a good long rain. Most people […]

By Mike Jopek
Business Is Personal

The Forgotten 25% – Will They Be Your Customers?

On average, 25% of US students drop out of high school. I have little tolerance for “being average”, mostly because little changes have a way of propelling you well above average. It isn’t that average is bad, but remember that average is like scoring 50th percentile on a test – half of the people are […]

By Mark Riffey
Guest Column

First, the Doughnut. Next, Wyoming!

Maybe Montana should take over zoning and planning for Wyoming. We Montanans care more about aesthetics and water quality than our southern neighbors. Undoubtedly, the Cowboy State will be happy that we do all the hard work. I mean, just look at us compared to them. We’re beautiful and they’re screwing up their environment with […]

By Diane Smith