The days following the 2009 Legislature, editorials noted the failure to reform homeowner property taxes. The observations were spot-on, judging by the homeowner outcry. But anyone paying attention could see it coming. Property taxes are directly tied to the free market growth of a locality. And the Flathead’s market was hopping for much of the […]

It will be spring one of these days and our forests will re-awaken to the sounds of birdsong and a scurry of insect and animal activity. Hilda M. Slade, a 19th century English poet put it very nicely, in her poem: “To Sussex Cottagers.” My Grandmother had this poem written on a tile in her […]

If you’re familiar with the story of Napoleon Hill, you know Andrew Carnegie offered Hill an unprecedented opportunity to research the strategies and habits of Carnegie’s friends – America’s most successful business people in the first quarter of 20th century. The result of his two decades of research was his top-selling 1937 book “Think and […]

As a parent and substitute teacher of alternative high schools, I strongly urge our local school boards not to eliminate these schools. I know that we are facing dire budget deficits in the coming school year. If we eliminate alternative high schools, our school dropout rates will soar. If they don’t have the alternative school, […]

It’s common for municipalities to complain about the U.S. Census, and most often it regards population figures that critics contend are underreported. But in Flathead County, the latest count exceeded my modest expectations. The Census says we grew by 16,457 people since 2000. And, in what I would consider a minor upset, this county still […]

Where are the outcries? All those voices who screamed for the impeachment of former President George W. Bush for involving us in an unwarranted Middle East war are strangely quiet. Are they still so awed at the specter of their deliverer that they cannot recognize his violation of the law. By what right does President […]

“Job, jobs, jobs” arises from the Montana Capitol this legislative session like the incantation of priests in a Hindu temple. Montana needs more than a mantra. We do need jobs, and while both Republicans and Democrats chant the job talk, their conflicting philosophies are constantly at cross purposes in terms of how jobs can be […]

While elliptical-ing recently, I thought to myself, “What would I change if I owned this place?” I might warm up the pool a couple of degrees, but that really isn’t the kind of change I meant. The things that came to mind were in the spirit of “Be indispensable“. So what would make that place […]

I planned to discuss the wolf circus, but with so many moving parts, and Judge Donald W. Molloy holding a hearing the day after my deadline, I’ll just tease you with a quote from pro-hunting lawyer Jim Brown: Brown feels the “settlement” Judge Molloy is being asked to accept is a “trick designed to deceive, […]

In Spain dinner is typically served much later than here in America, sometimes as late as 9 or 10 at night. In the hours leading up to their main meal of the evening, many Spaniards take part in the long-standing tradition of tapas. While tapas are considered a type of cuisine, it is also a […]

In the news coverage of the federal law enforcement search warrants served on the marijuana production facilities in several cities throughout Montana on March 14, several omissions need to be corrected. First, the citizens of Montana “nullified” federal law when they passed their medicinal marijuana initiative. Second, there was no mention of the fact that […]

The curious debate over whether the Montana Legislature should pass so-called “nullification” bills has largely focused on whether the federal government is encroaching too far on individual and state rights. But our elected officials continue to prove that their arguments for passing such legislation are at once selective and biased. Those pushing for nullification of […]

I’d like to offer a counter viewpoint to Mike Jopek’s column (March 23 Beacon: “Failed Rhetoric”) regarding the recent budget struggles in Wisconsin. This isn’t about political parties. It’s about logic. First, he points out that Michael Moore, the filmmaker, “challenged the network news to just once iterate that the richest 400 people in America […]

A point of contention at this legislative session is money. So what is new you may ask. The legislative sessions are always filled with arguments concerning the amount and direction of how to spend the public’s money. Any and every organization that is on the public dole tries to convince the majority of the legislators […]

Yesterday, an email from one of my favorite software businesses arrived in my inbox. I’ve used and liked this small piece of business utility software for at least a decade. Not many programs can make that claim. Lately, they’ve been emailing me pretty frequently. This particular email offered a free copy of the latest version if […]