Why are $165 million in bonuses being paid to staff at American International Group Financial Products (AIGFP)? As much as I denigrate the “mainstream media,” sometimes they do stellar work. In late December, Washington Post writers Robert O’Harrow, Brady Dennis and Bob Woodward did a wonderful three-part series on AIGFP, starting with “The Beautiful Machine.” […]

I served as chief special prosecutor for the state for 21 years. During that time I was involved with the prosecution of many homicide cases, including five death penalty cases involving homicides committed by prison inmates against other inmates. I also managed the prosecution of fourteen inmates for the 1991 prison riot homicides. I believed […]

For decades, I have avoided getting involved in politics. It annoys me. For almost two years, I have (mostly) avoided getting into it here at Business is Personal and the other places where I publish business advice. But they keep on trying to drag me in, the CPSIA being the most recent evidence. Once again, […]

Congress is preparing to debate a bill that is not only anti-business, but also anti-worker. It’s ironically named the “Employee Free Choice Act,” (EFCA), and the only winners, if this bill is passed, are big labor unions. Since unions in private industries have seen their numbers dwindle over the past 20 years, they are pushing […]

Just days after the city of Kalispell announced that it had narrowed to three its list of candidates for city manager, two of them withdrew from consideration. With just one man left standing, the council opted to push back a scheduled meet and greet and widen its search. Better that, I suppose, than making a […]

It’s a perfect morning. You hit the local coffee roasters for your morning java, spending a little time with the local paper as you down your first cup. Before long, it’s time for work. You’ve got a full day planned. As you aim your rig toward downtown, your thoughts turn toward the day’s ToDo list. […]

In mid-February, news hit that dirt bikes and ATV’s intended for kids under 12 years old were banned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Why? They contain lead. Where? Try maybe the crankshaft bearings, battery terminals and control-cable ends. Trust me, no brat clever enough to rip apart the engine before Dad finds out is […]

It’s difficult to accurately measure a recession by everyday anecdotes. We tally vacant storefronts, count new job listings and scan local real estate prices. They’re subjective, but the signs of hard times are there. What we tend to overlook – or at least I do – are other indicators; the ones that point to optimism, […]

“The U.S. faces potentially crippling electricity brownouts and blackouts beginning in the summer of 2009, which may cost tens of billions of dollars and threaten lives. Unless major investments are made immediately in electricity generation (power plants) and transmission (power lines), the threat of service interruptions will increase.” That’s a quote from a report by […]

A few weeks ago, we talked about my contention that now is THE time to start a business. I was a little surprised that no one told me I was nuts. Almost makes me wonder if you read that issue. Assuming you did and didn’t disagree, or if you’ve changed your mind since your younger […]

Despite their many critics, Montana lawmakers do well representing their constituents’ varied opinions. This state is quirky and impossible to pigeonhole left or right. Don’t touch our guns, but smoke marijuana once approved by your doctor. The politics mix progressive and conservative views with staunch libertarianism. This legislative session lawmakers, by and large, have again […]

John Halick, a wise man who worked as a cereal chemist for Uncle Ben’s Rice for a number of years, was instrumental in the formation of USDA’s rice quality laboratory in Beaumont, Texas, in the 1950s. Dr. Halick is quoted as saying: “Man has many problems, but a hungry man just has one.” With those […]

On a weekly basis, I find myself chatting with someone who wants me to help them find a way to differentiate their business from their competitors. That’s a good thing, but it really isn’t what they’re really after. The reality is that these folks want me to suggest a thing or two about the products […]

So far this year, I’ve made a couple of trips to Helena, testifying on bills for the first half of the legislative session. Every Montanan should make the effort to visit the Capitol during the session, even testify on a bill. You are guaranteed to learn something about how our government runs – notice I […]

Judging by their remarks on the recently passed federal stimulus plan, it’s hard to believe Rep. Denny Rehberg, Republican, and Sen. Jon Tester, Democrat, voted on the same piece of legislation, are in the same profession or work in the same city for that matter. The two men, in separate interviews at the Beacon last […]