Opinion

Editor,  I was happy to read all the contributions to last week’s paper in regards to building community (An Evolution in Community) and other generally quality contributions from community members. These last few decades, we have seen a massive erosion in social capital in our country. That means people aren’t in nearly as many clubs, social interactions have declined and relationships that are built on trust and reciprocation rather than purely monetary have lessened. This means more people are unhappy, disconnected, and alone. Many of the articles and views last week built a positive theme in my mind that I’ve been thinking on for some time. As a society, we ...

Editor,   The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act is a piece of legislation that needs immediate attention. This legislation would help secure the peace of the Blackfoot River by permanently protecting its most crucial tributaries. This bill will not only provide a protection of important ecosystems...

Editor, This is a copy of a letter sent to the City of Polson, Polson City Mayor, personnel overseeing city workers and to the Valley Journal. I am a Polson city resident and taxpayer. I don’t feed the gulls at the city lake park – I feed the feral cat colony – one of 4 city groups lo...

Editor, These are crazy times. Is there a good answer? Read on and see what you think. Just look at our own nation. Presently we are experiencing the crises of political upheaval, angry mobs and killings. We humans immediately try to figure out who to blame. Joe Biden, as president, is of course, th...

Montana has been discovered. We were the second-fastest-growing state in the country last year. Our rapidly increasing population presents many challenges and opportunities, and it’s also driving a lot of unease among many of us who’ve lived here for a long time.  Whether you love it or h...

This is the year Montanans celebrate the 50th anniversary of our nation’s first citizen-initiated wilderness, the Scapegoat, and our first new constitution since 1889 statehood that guarantees each of us the right to a clean and healthful environment, a safeguard not explicitly provided for in the Unit...

Editor, Among the many Republican talking points on offer is the notion that Democrats have not accomplished anything important since Joe Biden became president - and certainly nothing that benefits Montanans. Let us take a look at that. Are we better off than we were in 2020? In fact, we are SO much b...

Editor, We have long been liberal democrats, and we applaud Senators Manzella and Daines for speaking out against vaccine mandates and for freedom of speech. The highly effective mandate and vaccine marketing campaign promulgated in mainstream media seems to benefit not the health or welfare of the genera...

Editor, My nephew has been a client of Mission Mountain Enterprises since 2008. Over the years, our family has attended many MME events. Each and every time I have been impressed by the quality of staff that work for MME.  Friday, Feb. 11, my nephew invited me to attend the Valentines party at RAC...

In the last year, I’ve been working on appreciation. Appreciating the big things. Appreciating the small things. Appreciating what I have and what I am. As part of that, I’ve been practicing appreciation of one of the most basic, most taken for granted and one of the most awesome things we all...