In October 2008, Congress directed Amtrak to study adding more routes to Amtrak’s system. Among those routes were two for the Northwest, the Denver-Boise-Portland Pioneer, and a second Seattle-Chicago line, the North Coast Hiawatha (NCH) through Bismarck, Helena and Missoula on the old Northern Pacific. Amtrak’s 53-page NCH report makes interesting reading. Amtrak’s current long-distance […]

The U.S. Senate has an opportunity to revive Montana’s – and the nation’s – economy with thousands of new jobs, create clean and affordable sources of power for our homes and businesses, and end billions of dollars going to foreign countries for oil.
 
Our Senators returned to Washington to take up comprehensive climate and energy […]

At a candidate forum last week, the moderator asked the six contenders for city council their opinion of downtown Kalispell. It was an area in which all of them agreed – they support its prosperity. Yet as someone who has worked in the center of the city, albeit for just over two years, it’s hard […]

Ever sat at a stoplight facing uphill behind a big 18 wheeler? Notice how long it takes for that big ol’ thing to get moving? Sometimes it seems like forever until it gets up to cruising speed. That’s the burden of inertia. What about that 747 headed to Australia or Beijing or Rio? It takes […]

Helen Kranitz’s complaints about hunters being “real men” in the Oct. 7 Beacon shows one can live around here and yet know little about the area. As it happens, our ancestors also used camouflaging scents, luring scents and game calls, and it is amazing she could live around here and not know this. She wants […]

In response to Democratic Sen. Max Baucus’ health care votes against the public option (or government-run insurance plan), liberal blogger Markos Moulitsas has aimed his sights squarely on Montana’s senior senator, vowing to strongly oppose him if he seeks reelection. In 2014, Moulitsas hopes to lure Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer as a primary opponent for […]

What does it take for us to inspire those in power, those who actually make the laws and set policy, to not only wake up to America’s needs but take proper and decisive action? Look at climate control. Look at carbon emissions. Look at health care for all as a “right” and not a “privilege.” […]

The years 2002 to 2008 were great times in the real estate market. Construction was up; homes sold and were worth record highs. Not true today as the worldwide market collapse hit the real estate industry hard. This is bad news for homeowners and local businesses when it comes to property taxes, as the slump […]

There’s a guy who sells a boring product here in the Flathead. If he’s your client, you don’t think of him or his product as boring. Despite selling a boring product that all businesses need but don’t really want, he makes it a point to keep his eye on the niches his clients do business […]

The week before Columbus Day, the White Creativity bunch, all five of them, held a demonstration at Kalispell’s Depot Park. Aw, geez… William and Helen Deutsch, my paternal grandparents, lived in Washington Heights on Manhattan, with a stunning view of the George Washington Bridge. There’s a little park across the street, where I was subjected […]

This month, Montanans embark on the beginning of the end of an unfortunate era. Montana and five other states here in the Rockies have had the highest percentage of uninsured children in America. Starting this month and for the first time, we are going to assure health care coverage to the children of this state’s […]

Last week we talked about my Columbia Falls talk about mobile technology and how it should affect internet strategy. Well, I left something out. Intentionally. Thing is, it was important enough that we could have talked for the rest of the day about it, even though it was somewhat off topic for the presentation. Kinda. […]

In Jennifer McKee’s article of Sept. 29, Dennis McDonald accuses Congressman Rehberg of being drunk. I am compelled to share my personal experience to refute the allegations of Rehberg’s political opponent. I was with Congressman Rehberg in Lakeside shortly before the accident. I met Congressman Rehberg for the first time Thursday night. I have never […]

Why issue such a huge numbers of licenses when using the draw system could be a better way to control the quota per county? Just how will Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks assure me that only 75 wolfs will be taken? The hunter who has had little or no luck getting his elk in the […]

Recently, I was informed that our company’s health insurance rates were going to be increased by 35 percent. This will not only substantially decrease my take home pay but will have a severe impact on my employer’s budget, causing him to forestall any future wage increases. This is a prime example of why people that […]