Opinion / Column
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The Postscript: Dog stories
My husband, Peter, and I miss having a dog. I see a lot of dogs on the trail during my daily hike, and so Peter (who is always full of good ideas — usually about things I should do) suggested I...
Court decision puts future of public schools in voters' hands
A decision by the United States Supreme Court last week could put Montana’s quality public schools at risk. The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, holding that states must offer taxpayer dollars...
View from the North 40: Redefining leadership the old-Turkmenistan way
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov — who has also been known to bust a move singing rap — has written a poem to honor Turkmenistan’s wheat and the farmers who grow it. “I wish...
On this Independence Day, recalling the Founders' views of a free press
America’s Founders regarded a free press as so vital to the new nation that they took care to include that right in the First Amendment to the Constitution. Founders spoke glowingly about the press as a pillar of democracy and guarantor of...
My Declaration of Independence
Ever hear of Rudy Stanko, well-known in Montana two-plus years ago? Rudy “Stinko” you say? Well, maybe. Here’s the story. Rudy liked to speed, and it was easy for him to do so because from 1955-1974 and again from 1995-1999, the speed limit in...
Looking out my Backdoor: Got myself in trouble
The week has been filled with emails sailing back and forth between myself and my friends in the States and in Canada. We each are settling into a way of living that might be our new norm for months,...
The Poscript: The world of birds
The raven nest was the big news this spring. Our neighbor, Joe, who belongs to every social organization in town, found himself with very little to do. So, every afternoon, Joe parked himself in his...
Letter to the Editor - Thanks for attending The Atrium reopening
Editor, Thank you to everyone who attended The Atrium Grand Reopening Celebration or purchased raffle tickets for the event. We at The Atrium had a great time hosting the event and seeing everyone having a good time. Hopefully, this event is only the...
We refuse to stand idle
The senseless death of a black American has ignited civil protests around the globe. We will always remember George Floyd’s name and the 8 minutes 46 seconds that Minneapolis police officers assisted a fellow officer in pinning Floyd’s neck to...
Give the nation a birthday present with the Census
As the country celebrates its birth as a nation, one of the most patriotic things Montanans can do is stand up and be counted — in the 2020 Census. Or, more accurately, go online and be counted. Or mail in the census form. Or chat with a census...
Montana law enforcement officers deserve our support
Sworn law enforcement officers in Montana adhere to a high code of ethics which says, “As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the...
View from the North 40: It's an all-out invasion of erratic winged-flappers
The annual migration of miller moths is officially in full swing, and researchers at Colorado State University have said we should expect to see abundant numbers this year. Unfortunately, their...
Looking out my Backdoor: Life in the slow lane
Life is such a mixed bag of tricks, isn’t it? In the morning we slide out of bed, make coffee, check the obits to see if we made headlines, put our two hands (some of us are greedy) in the bag and...
The postscript - My neighbors the superheroes
I think my next-door neighbors might be superheroes. They both work with computers (at least that’s what they say) and then, every spare moment, they are off doing superhero-type things. My...
Why does Beaver Creek Park need policies?
Having documented policies is a clear showing of intent, purpose, commitment and accountability, and builds trust with owners, managers, partners and others. Recent reluctance of the Hill County Park Board to explain, develop and document policies...
Is 'defund' a dirty word?
Police in their traditional role will always be necessary. But it’s time to consider options other than the police for many problems’ facing society where traditional policing is not needed. It’s time to “restructure” our approach to...
Gianforte leads slate of anti-access candidates
To my fellow hunters and anglers, there are people trying to lock you out of your favorite spots. In November it’s time to vote like your access depends on it. Montana Republicans have nominated the most anti-public lands, anti-conservation slate...
View from the North 40: Only one thing is absolute in my uncertainty theory calculations
When I say that I’m a simple person, I mean I’m just a step or two upslope of simpleton-simple. I like things to be straight forward in simple terms. Complicated things are best dealt with if...
Looking out my Backdoor: Never a dullish moment
In quiet desperation, this morning I joined the ranks of those who cut their own hair. Using nail scissors. I do not recommend it. If anyone should ask, I’ll say my favorite hairdresser trimmed it...
Daines a conservationist? Not so fast
Unless the political winds in Washington change quickly, Congress will soon send the Great American Outdoors Act — GAOA — to President Trump’s desk. Trump has assured he’ll sign it into law. This legislation represents a dramatic win for...
Montana's fish win and Montana anglers win with water rights protection Act
Spring is the time of abundant water. Westslope cutthroat, Montana’s state fish, sense rising flows and commence their age-old spawning migrations upstream to tributaries across Montana. It may seem like an odd time to think about water scarcity an...
The Postscript: The agate polisher
I don’t think it’s my imagination that Father’s Day seems like a last-minute add-on. “Oh! We have Mother’s Day. We probably should do something for fathers … ” On Mother’s Day, a bouquet of flowers or brunch seems to do nicely every...
Letter to the Editor - Woo hoo Tammy Walters
Editor, Thank you Tammy Walters, owner of The Golden Spike, for not bowing down to Governor Bullock’s unconstitutional and illegal mandates, and Hill County Health Department’s attempt to enforce them. It is sad that fellow business owners and...
True inclusive Democracy cannot thrive at the barrel of a gun
America has some reconciling to do with white supremacy, not just the guys in white hoods, but the structures and practices that have kept white people in power and disproportionately hurt people of color. The social movement for Black Lives Matter...
Sage grouse ruling highlights need to improve public land management
In a recent U.S. District Court ruling by Judge Brian Morris, the American public heard loud and clear that the federal administration broke the law when it offered leases on public lands in critical Sage grouse habitat. This court decision speaks vo...
