Opinion

Last month the President of the Montana Senate established a select committee on Judicial Oversight and Reform. We were appointed to that committee along with Democrat and Republican legislators and members of the public. Before our first meeting, partisan attacks were leveled at the President and the committee. We have no interest in engaging tit for tat in partisan vitriol, but we do wish to articulate a logical and reasonable case for the importance of the committee. Article 3 of the Montana constitution defines the requirement for balanced government: “The power of the government of this state is divided into three distinct branches—legislative, executive, and judicial. N...

Editor, “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes.” (Maya Angelou) Memorial Day is coming up. My father flew an Air Force C-47 delivering supplies to troops across the Aleutian Chain in Alaska. I lost one brother too soon due to exposure to Agent Orange ...

I read something today that changed my perception of the concept of confidence. It said something along the lines of:  “Confidence can’t be seen or heard. It can’t be created by anyone but you.” I found this profound.  I’ve always believed I lacked confidence....

One headline in the Salt Lake Tribune has stirred up the agricultural community across the West. It proclaims that hamburgers and cows are the culprits behind the droughts, and by eating fewer burgers, Americans could save the environment. Sound familiar? Last spring Ireland made international headlines with...

Editor, This morning, May 9, at 7 a.m., I was tuned into MSNBC and “Morning Joe”. Hillary Clinton was being interviewed. Hillary was born in 1947 and served as Secretary of State in the Obama administration. She continues as a politician and diplomat. The subject being discussed was the presen...

It was a serious day in the garden. Various vegetables gathered to witness the much-anticipated criminal fraud case against corn. Corn had filed a countersuit claiming defamation of character and vegetative discrimination. These historic proceedings would hopefully answer the question plaguing the human and ...

With the completion of the poll of the Legislature on whether to override the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 442, I want to explain my consistent opposition to the bill, including voting against overriding the veto. The bill would have incorporated $16 million in annual expenditures for county roads in...

Last week, this column touched on the topic of complicated grief. It’s defined as a grief that includes a heightened state of mourning that keeps one from healing.  When you heal from an injury, that injury exists no more. The same can’t be said about grief. Grief never goes away. It neve...

Editor, A brief assessment on our national confusion I term “Trumpism.” This is the human nature attitude and behavior involving anger, fear, attack and blaming others for your own problems. The challenges we face in life are certainly not a new phenomenon. I name it “Trumpism” ...

Editor, Coming from a family where no one could afford to attend college, my parents worked hard and instilled a strong desire in their children to seek an education. I was the first to attend college in our family and treasured the opportunity. Some Montanans have excellent public educational opportun...