Opinion
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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...
Letter to the Editor - To mask or not to mask, there is no question
Why wear a mask? you may ask … Well other than being a menial task ... The virus is quiet, the virus is stealthy Even latching on in secret to the healthy You may think you’ll be fine, you may think it could never be you But when it infects your...
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,...
Letter to the Editor - Thanks to all for your help
Editor, A heartfelt thank you to everyone that participated in and contributed to my benefit. I am truly amazed by the constant generosity of our community. We are blessed to live among so many caring and selfless individuals. I would like to...
Letter to the Editor - Association leaders call on public to wear masks when social distancing not available
HELENA — We, the undersigned, are as concerned about the rising number of COVID cases and public health as we are with the economic health of the businesses we represent. As we watch many states around the country mandating face masks for everyone...
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...
Letter to the Editor - Bullying won't work on my right to support Trump
Editor, To the individual or individuals who recently mailed an anonymous post card to my home to express their disgust for my Trump flag displayed on the front of my property, I’m unmoved by your attempt at “embarrassing” me into removing it f...
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...
Letter to the Editor - How should we proceed with COVID-19?
Editor, How have Montanans been sheltered from the corona virus pandemic? By closing campuses early in the pandemic. By ensuring that out-of-staters self-quarantined for 14 days upon arrival. By encouraging social...
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...
Letter to the Editor - Montana no longer last best place in pandemic?
Editor, In March, coronavirus came to Montana, peaking on April 2 with 24 new cases, many in Bozeman, just as cases in Idaho clustered in the Sun Valley ski area. Gov. Bullock wisely acted aggressively, including requiring people entering Montana to...
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...
Letter to the Editor - Thanks to Warburton and Magic Carpet Travel
Dear editor, I want to publicly thank Tracey Warburton of Magic Carpet Travel. She worked tirelessly to get me home from Italy when flights across the Atlantic were in short supply and many of those on the limited flight schedule were being...
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...
Letter to the Editor - Hate consumes all
Editor, I am a 89-year-old Korean War veteran. My subject is hate, a self-consuming emotion if there ever was one. It abounds in symbols, swastica, burned-out churches, graffiti. It comes from deep inside ourselves. It is usually something or...
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...
Obituary - Andee Nicol The Boy
Andee Nicol The Boy, 27, born and raised in Havre, MT, was called home to Heaven Saturday, June 13, 2020. Andee was born August 12, 1992, to Junior The Boy and Nikki Jackson. She was the youngest... Full story
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...
