Thirty plus years ago, Montanans had vision. We chose to vest nuclear power decisions with voters. I-80 passed by two-thirds vote and codifies in Montana law, “the people of Montana reserve to themselves the exclusive right to determine whether major nuclear facilities are built and operated in this state.” It’s not a moratorium, but simply […]

As I read the story about the success of logger James Stupack’s new business, I was quite pleased to hear of his creativity and stick-to-it attitude. It’s easy to give up. He didn’t. He added value. I’ve spent a lot of time talking to folks on that topic. Sometimes it comes in the form of […]

The Obama administration is contemplating major reductions in the Defense Department budget to help cut into the huge deficits incurred by the president and his Washington cronies. They plan on reducing our conventional military forces and increase special operations units to combat the terrorist threats around the world. An increase in special operations forces is […]

In a relatively sleepy vote, the Flathead County Commission approved updates to the Lakeside neighborhood plan last week. Yes, that plan; the three-year effort that provoked lawsuits, a third-party investigation and perhaps cost former Planning Director Jeff Harris his job. But when the decision came on Dec. 1, it was almost as if accusations of […]

I have followed the curious case of Damari DeReu, the Columbia Falls High School student who forgot her hunting rifle in the trunk of her car and was suspended the week following hunting season. I was amused by the whole issue when I remembered my own high school days. I remember parking my vehicle in […]

Why is it that economists don’t understand – at a deep and scientific level – how the economy works? Two centuries after Adam Smith’s “Wealth of Nations,” and more than seven decades after the Great Depression, they’re still fighting over what works and what doesn’t. The debate is far from theoretical. The fate of nations, […]

One of the reasons that smart phones (iPhone, Blackberry, Droid) are so popular is that they provide options for a much better means of getting notified about any number of events, appointments and so on. Your customers’ desire / need to be notified is a critical aspect of your customer service planning. In fact, these […]

Now that Democrat Kendall Van Dyk has bested Republican incumbent Roy Brown by four votes in Montana’s spendiest State Senate race ever ($234,000 for 6,208 ballots cast), the Republicans hold the state Senate 28-21 and the House by a whomping 68-32 majority. So what does this “mandate” call for? Many observers, including Flathead Democrats, have […]

I’m writing in response to Wilma Beck’s letter (Dec. 1 Beacon: “Marijuana, Nut No ‘Happy Meals’”). If our government can criminalize a natural herb that has never killed anybody in the 5,000-year history of its use, it can criminalize any food. What could be more pro nanny-state than marijuana prohibition? Beyond the fact that marijuana […]

On Nov. 18, Montana Republican Congressman Denny Rehberg sent a letter to the state’s Democratic U.S. senators urging them to “heed the will of Montanans” and join the GOP in swearing off earmarks for three years. Less than a week later, Sen. Max Baucus responded in writing, describing the move as a “political stunt.” It’s […]

I would like to thank Plum Creek Timber Co. for allowing public access during hunting season. Although I got skunked this year, I enjoyed my hunting opportunities, including on Plum Creek ground near Ashley Lake. Secondly, I would like to scold the thoughtless rider on an ATV who went around the gate on the Plum […]

“The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future in life.” – Plato Today, we stand on the shoulders of our predecessors. This aptly applies to education. Those who have tirelessly worked on the many aspects of educating our children have allowed us to now recognize their importance and the importance of […]

Much noise has been made of the mess that has become airport security. The recent introduction of TSA’s high resolution body scanners and the “pat downs” (formerly known as “getting to second base”) have stirred up a hornet’s nest of grass roots discontent. As you might expect, there has been much hand-wringing in political circles […]

I’m offering my “two cents” on the controversy over “earmarking” by members of Congress of domestic project funds, as a former federal political appointee (at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in the Clinton Administration). Unelected and unknown like hundreds of others like me, for six years I was part of a small group annually able […]

Gov. Brian Schweitzer released his state budget last week, and during its public unveiling he preempted many Republican ideas and chided them for others he didn’t agree with. The performance left one GOP lawmaker complaining that the governor had already “started waging war between the legislative and executive branches.” If a political “war” is coming […]