Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 1956
Dear Editor, We are a nation in distress. I carried an inverted US Flag at a protest this weekend for the first time. For the unfamiliar, an inverted flag indicates dire distress. Everyone may not agree that our nation is in dire distress, but I am quite certain that Renee Good and Alex Pretti's families consider it so. My criteria for dire distress follows: Japan is six months from a nuclear weapon with South Korea and others close behind, Ukraine is freezing to death from Russian aggression du...
You can drink water through your nose. Southerly wind becomes northerly upon crossing the Arctic region. There are friendships that only existed because you were both lonely at the same time. Unintentionally, porn turned into the most extensive documentary archive. Ice cream is measured in volume despite being a solid. Are big companies more out of touch than ever because they got trapped in their own filter bubbles and algorithms? Social media would actually be really helpful during a zombie apocalypse. Microsoft might have lots of your...
Dear Editor, The most frequent question I get from Montana voters since the last legislative session has been, "Republicans have the majority in the legislature; so how on earth did multiple liberal ideas pass?" That is a legitimate and frustrating question. Much has been said in the recent past about political party bosses and control, but that is just a deflection from addressing the real concern. In reality, voters support and advocate for the values and ideas behind a party or legislator....
Dear Editor, As part-time citizen legislators in Montana, there is a concerning trend of Montana special interest groups unduly influencing, or worse yet, outright controlling legislators. The most stunning example of this is the Montana Hospital Association (MHA). In 2015, the federal government made available the Medicaid Expansion program. I am not going to debate its merits here, rather only call in question the way the Montana Hospital Association has gone about securing a huge windfall of tax dollars year after year. (Today, Medicaid...
As primary season approaches, the rhetoric is getting sharper and smoke thicker. With the barrage of attacks from Americans for Prosperity (AFP), Montana Freedom Caucus (MFC), and the State GOP that they control, it’s hard to know who’s who and why they are attacking. AFP – A Koch-linked political machine based in the D.C. beltway using “grassroots” branding to advance out-of-state corporate interests. It floods states with lobbying, mailers, robocalls, and pressure campaigns – often funded by undisclosed donors. MFC – A hard-right fa...
Could University of Montana President Seth Bodnar be Montana’s next U.S. senator? It sounds improbable — which, in today’s politics, is exactly why it sounds promising. Washington has become a place where performance matters more than results, outrage more than outcomes, and party loyalty more than people. The two major parties have turned governing into a blood sport, and voters are exhausted by it. One recent poll shows that 45 percent of Americans now identify as independents — not Democrats, not Republicans, but people who are tired o...
WHAT EXPRESSION DO YOU NEVER WANT TO HEAR AGAIN? SIX SEVEN! - KE 10-4 - BH Know your place - JB It is what it is - KJJ WHAT MODERN TECHNOLOGY DO YOU REFUSE TO GET INVOLVED WITH? The internet, I don’t think it will catch on, probably just a fad like space hoppers. - NH Quantum computing. It can ‘listen in’ on conversations. - JPD TikTok - TM and TO Electric cars in Montana - AKP Twitter/X. Not interested in the insanity - HD Alexa. - KH Crypto. - KK Chipping. I won’t scan my hand to pay for milk- MK WHAT MINOR INCONVENIENCE ALWAYS ANNOYS...
What a mess. And it’s getting so out of hand. I am not here to lay blame but to lay out how this is supposed to work. How it has worked for decades. When you come across a nation’s border illegally, you are subject to deportation. For decades, our nation has allowed a number of individuals to live under the radar. These individuals do provide a service at a cut rate; this saves farms and ranches the money they need and, theoretically, they pass that saving on to their customers. I have had the opportunity to work side by side with some of the...
GEORGIA, I have a question, My husband and I (30m, 30f) invited eight friends for lunch and were asked if we could also include a new couple (we will call them ASH and BASH). We have never met them, but everyone else who was invited has, so we said sure. At one point, Ash needed to use the restroom, and I told her to use the master since the other bathroom was occupied. I was helping my husband finish with food when Ash came out of the master bathroom, bawling, and into the kitchen holding something in her hand. At first, I thought she hurt...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 You are unstoppable this week, Aries. Your famous pioneering spirit is magnified, giving you the green light for major breakthroughs. Take the lead in situations that excite you. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Prepare for a week of unexpected results, Taurus. A significant financial opportunity may appear out of the blue, or you might find yourself feeling extra secure at work. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, your social life is booming right now. You are a magnet for excellent ideas and exciting connections this week. Expect...
At fifty-three, it pains me to admit that my eyesight has failed over the last few years. I am due for another adjustment to my trifocals! As a kid, I recall seeing my grandmother doing the newspaper crossword with a magnifying glass. I could not imagine then growing old myself. Today, I see a different layer. If you are anything like me, you first try to read small print without your glasses. For many of us, it is a reminder, isn’t it? In ancient times, the Romans used water-filled globes (as described by Seneca) to magnify objects. It was not...
Dear Editor, Let's debate policy, not personal attacks. At the start of the new year, on behalf of the Montana Republican Party, I invited the architects of the recently enacted property tax shift laws to publicly debate their merits at next month's Republican Winter Kick-off in Great Falls. I also challenged them to attend the Kick-off to hear what the newly formed Red Policy Committee is presenting: real, substantive solutions on property taxes, election integrity, judicial transparency, and...
Beards simultaneously hide and accentuate chins. The AI bubble is driven by CEOs who’ve built their careers on judging the appearance of human work, where things only look good if someone actually put the effort in, and suddenly meeting a technology that produces perfect‑looking work even when the substance is absent. The anticipation of an amusement ride failing is more responsible for nervousness than the experience itself. In movies and video games, the idea of anti-gravity has people and things floating. True anti-gravity would repel thi...
WHAT HAS THE INTERNET TOTALLY RUINED? The ability to use common sense - HD Banking. - AKP The mental health of our children. - TM Shopping! - MM Humans socializing in person. - JPD Studying. People Google when they need, not really learn things. - TD Human interaction! People are rude to strangers when behind a screen, in a way no one would ever have thought to be in person. Now it is seeping into face to face interactions too. - GHL People’s health. Too much time indoors on their bottoms, not moving. People are more lonely than ever before. -...
GEORGIA, I have a question, Back in October, I bought flights for two of my boyfriend’s best friends to come visit for his birthday in February. Everyone knew it was supposed to be a surprise, but then recently I found out they already told him, which is frustrating. I paid for the tickets under the pretense that this was going to be a huge surprise for him, and now that has been ruined. Also, lately I’ve been feeling like I want to end the relationship. Over the last three years, he’s said and done a lot of hurtful stuff. I’m just fed up with...
With constant national news that disturbs us, sometimes our local news cheers us up. My point today is that we should take suffering as part of life. The degree of suffering, of course, varies for individuals. However, the longer we live, the more obstacles we encounter. The key to managing those challenges often comes back to our attitude and overall outlook. I find Paul to be one of the bright examples of how to handle suffering. He found joy, comfort, and even peace through Jesus Christ, and he conveys this message well in writing to...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Your attention is focused on finances and deeper connections, Aries. This is the week to speak honestly about budgets, debts, or your investments with a partner. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, the spotlight is shining on your relationships, whether in love or business. Expect some meaningful conversations that define your approach going forward. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Your focus turns to work and wellness as part of your daily routine this week, Gemini. You may feel a strong urge to get more organized and to capitalize on...
Dear Editor, There are many times in our lives when common sense clashes irritably with policies established by higher authorities. Our current era seems to be one of those times. Granted, it was back in the 1770s when a group of founding leaders drafted the U.S. Constitution, which was later ratified by the established colonies. Its introductory paragraph, known as The Preamble, summarized the precepts of legitimate governance: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more...
Dear Editor, Thank you, Jim [Buterbaugh], for your opinion on Northwestern's plan to build an AI data center in Missoula. ESSI states that one single data center may use up 5 million gallons per day! I, and I hope others, will contact the Attorney General, our Congressmen, and the PSC. Our concerns in this drought state the threat of depleting our water supply. KATIE SMITH Whitehall, Montana...
What is the Dumbest Tradition? Thinking corned beef & cabbage is an Irish tradition. (Originates from the beef sold by Jewish butchers in New York). Colcannon or Irish Stew would be a far more sensible dish to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. (Or my personal favorite, potato cakes.) - NH I don’t like the retail tradition of going straight from Halloween to Christmas and skipping Thanksgiving. I like my holidays in order and I like to finish one before moving on to the next one. - HD What Corporate Jargon Are You Sick of Hearing Circle Back!!! - B...
6 years ago we used to doomscroll text(Twitter, Facebook statuses). 10 years ago we doomscrolled images(Instagram, FB image posts. 5 years ago we started doomscrolling videos (TikTok, Insta Reels, YouTube shorts). Hairdressers go through more schooling than cops. If you’re skinny, shaving your beard makes you look skinnier. But if you’re fat, shaving your beard makes you look fatter. The universe is 13.8 billion years old, but heat death is around 10¹⁰⁰ years away, so it has effectively used 0% of its lifetime meaning the universe is still ba...
GEORGIA, I have a question, I (34F) am happily married to my husband (38M). We are having a little tiff about his gas, and he said I could post here to weigh in on the situation. We are happily married, he’s just smelly. I tend to go to bed before my husband does. He arrives as I’m drifting off to sleep every night. He consistently, nightly, proceeds to unleash the loudest, smelliest farts possible. Multiple. Zero effort to restrain them. Absolutely nauseating in odor. I usually have to get out of bed because the smell is so gross. It kee...
Satan targets Christians. There is no simpler conclusion to understanding the Book of Ephesians. Paul now pulls out the power of his oratory, his clarity, and his love for humanity. Distraction from Christ and His mission requires our vigilance in praying with the Bible and being equipped with God’s provided armor. It is essential to consider the broader context, as Paul emphasizes that Christians submit to one another, bringing honor to Jesus and to each other. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Minor obstacles are in your path, Aries. It’s easy to get frustrated right now. Once you clear the hurdles, it will be smoother sailing before long. Remain patient. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 You treasure family and friends, Taurus. This week calls for an important decision that could affect them all. It may be challenging, but you will make the right call. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, you may need to reset your priorities, as new information has come to light. Prioritize responsibilities so major issues are addressed f...
Times are tough for a lot of Montana families right now. Interest rates are high, housing is expensive, and grocery bills aren’t getting any smaller. And when life feels tight, it’s easy to buy what the pessimists are selling—especially on social media—and before long that “old man” talk seeps in: “Kids these days.” “Nothing works anymore.” “We’re headed downhill.” We start pining for a past that never really was. But my gray hairs—plus a few wins and hard lessons—have taught me this: we’re limited less by circumstances than by this very negati...
