Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

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  • A Different Perspective: 3/13/2024

    LARRY HOFFMAN, Contributing Writer|Mar 13, 2024

    In the early 1980s, I ran the farthest-north underground mine in the United States, halfway between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay, in the Brooks Range, eighty miles north of the Arctic Circle. The haul road to the North Slope oil fields was over thirty miles away, so our operation depended on air transportation. Everyone who came to work on the project, including me, was new to Alaska and couldn’t wait to fly over the mighty Yukon, with images of crystal-clear water surging through rocky canyons.... Full story

  • Thought Provokers: 3/13/2024

    Mar 13, 2024

    A healthy diet, exercise, and drinking plenty of water dramatically increase your chance of having a tragic death. Mater is technically a surgeon, considering that being a "mechanic" in the Cars universe involves operating on somebody’s internal organs. The more you understand life, the less meaning life has. So many photos on old phones will never be seen again. There’s something that’s entirely normal for you but very unusual for everyone else. When talking to animals, it’s always good girl and good boy, not good woman or good man, ev...

  • CONNECTING POINT: Rx For Life

    BILL LANES|Mar 13, 2024

    In recent months, I’ve gotten to know more about Luke, the physician who wrote about the life and ministry of Jesus. For most of my life, I’ve assumed that Luke was one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus, but I was wrong. Luke was a close friend to Paul and accompanied him on several trips as they spread the message of Jesus across the region. Many scholars believe Luke is the author of Acts, and as a physician, one can understand why the healing power of Jesus caught his interest. You may be familiar with Matthew’s writing, and...

  • Horoscopes: Week of 3/13/2024

    Mar 13, 2024

    ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, if you notice you have been facing obstacles as you work to achieve your goals, you may want to step back and consider another course of action. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you will receive an offer that notes your efforts and achievements. Do not let this immediately go to your head; instead, enjoy the fruits of your labors. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Your willpower has been weak lately, Gemini. If your diet plans are getting sidelined by your inability to stay on track, you may want to enlist a buddy to keep you motivate...

  • Dear Editor: Rural Rage

    RUTH LOTT|Mar 6, 2024

    Dear Editor, There was an article recently in the New York Times about rural rage. I thought this comment from a fellow reader was worth passing on: "I am a non-indian, cattle rancher on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota. I sold some feeder cattle last Friday at the highest price in my 50 years of ranching. The price beat my previous record high, which was in 2013. Both of these record-high cattle price years occurred during Democratic administrations. The USDA gave billions of dollars to ag producers during Trump's administr...

  • Dear Editor: Updating Maternity Policy at Town Hall

    KATY JAMES, Whitehall Town Council|Mar 6, 2024

    Dear Editor, The Whitehall Town Council held a "Special" Council meeting on Friday, March 1, 2024. The meeting was called to order and then went directly into Executive session. The following two items were listed to be discussed: A. Updating the Maternity Policy B. Adopting a Babies at the Workplace policy Seeing how the meeting was publically posted, what was discussed in executive session, nothing can be discussed outside the meeting. However, I can say the council voted to table what was discussed and to bring it forward to the next...

  • Thought Provokers: 3/6/2024

    Mar 6, 2024

    With the birth rate higher than the death rate, not every birth can be a reincarnation of another person. In 20 years, bars and casinos that still allow smoking will smell like cotton candy and strawberry instead of cigarettes. Rocket science is simple; it’s rocket engineering that’s hard. Duramax sounds more like a brand of condoms than a truck engine. Only bilingual people genuinely know how terrible Google Translate is. Trying to carry all your grocery bags into the house in one go is ambitious and lazy. Most animals have never drank any...

  • Just Ask Georgia: 3/6/2024

    GEORGIA|Mar 6, 2024

    Georgia, I have a question, Do I have a right to be mad? My husband says I’m overreacting. My brother (30) was laid off with severance at the beginning of the year. His wife (25) had quit her job a week prior. They have a one-year-old child. They decided to use the severance to travel. They've spent a month in Italy traveling, two weeks in the Florida Keys, and two weeks in Turks & Caicos. My husband and I (both 45) work full time; we have two children of our own. Yesterday MY brother reached out to MY husband and asked him to pay their...

  • Connecting Point: Don't Go Alone

    BILL LANES|Mar 6, 2024

    I’m going to go out on a limb and date myself regarding age since many in this audience share a similar experience. Many of us grew up watching The Lone Ranger and Tonto, the iconic 1950s western show about a presumed dead Texas Ranger who travels to the West to assist the helpless affected by lawlessness. Such a theme resonates and has been recreated in other movies and sitcoms. The only problem is that in real life, going after injustice alone is not practical or wise. We need others in our lives for accountability, correction, and...

  • Horoscopes: Week of 3/6/2024

    Mar 6, 2024

    ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, think about collaborating on a fun project with someone close to you. Find out if anyone needs help on something they may be working on if you don’t have a project in mind. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 An excitement concerning work goals or a business venture may compel you to take some action to get your ideas heard by higher-ups, Taurus. The audience will be receptive. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, trying to resolve issues in a relationship this week may leave you feeling unsettled. You might be trying to avoid sensitive...

  • Dear Editor: A Response to Last Week's Letters

    DON LEPINSKY|Feb 28, 2024

    Dear Editor, I read the three letters to the editor in the Ledger's February 21, 2024 publication. The following is a brief response to all three. Jan Lombardi's letter on the increased property tax problem was both informative and right on. The state dropped the ball on addressing this issue, no matter whose fault. It is an example of a political lack of foresight in mitigating issues before they become problems. State government should be proactive in governance, not reactive. Would anyone be surprised if our property tax bills which we shoul...

  • Dear Editor: Plan for the National Day of Prayer

    WES MYHRE|Feb 28, 2024

    Dear Editor, Are you concerned about our great country and its preservation for our future generations? Do you recognize an enemy infiltrating our borders through lawless deeds of government? Have questions arisen in your being about all sorts of propaganda being pushed on us and our children? Do you want joy and assurance for your neighbor, and a strong country that can be a beacon of light and hope for the rest of the world while maintaining our sovereignty? Do you understand that a sharp sword is not the first line of defense to securing...

  • Dear Editor: How the Electoral College Works

    TERRY MURPHY|Feb 28, 2024

    Dear Editor, There is much discussion and misunderstanding about the electoral method we use to elect the President of the United States. It is really a simple and good way to do it as I see it. It is set up in the Constitution as follows: "Each State shall appoint in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United...

  • Thought Provokers: 2/28/2024

    Feb 28, 2024

    Sweatpants were made for physical activity, but wearing them in public makes you seem lazy. People get more upset when their tax money is used to help their neighbors than they are when it is used to bomb strangers. 8 hours of drinking is binge drinking, 8 hours of TV is binge-watching, 8 hours of sleep is barely enough. Deep conversation shows an interest in the topic you’re discussing but small talk shows interest in the person you’re talking to. CEOs earning more is justified through the importance of successful decision-making, but...

  • Just Ask Georgia: 2/28/2024

    GEORGIA|Feb 28, 2024

    Georgia, I have a question, I (M46) am in a great relationship with a lovely lady (F45). However, she has an 18-year-old son, who I believe may have Asperger’s, who I don’t get along with at all. He’s a bit strange and never makes an effort to clean up after himself, he has poor hygiene and is socially awkward. I just bought a two-bedroom house on my own - my girlfriend did not contribute towards the house - it was all my money. I asked her to move in. I did not invite the son. I don't want him living in my home - I’d be giving up a...

  • CONNECTING POINT: Sacred Cows

    BILL LANES|Feb 28, 2024

    Figures of speech abound all around us. I’m certain in the past week you’ve used some form of a figure of speech, I certainly have. I want to examine with you today a “sacred cow.” Dictionary.com defines this as “an individual, organization, institution, etc., considered to be exempt from criticism or questioning.” Sometimes we hold dearly to our own “sacred cow” and expect others to fall into line. Well, Jesus in Luke chapter 6 addresses the topic. “One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began...

  • Horoscopes: Week of 2/28/2024

    Feb 28, 2024

    ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Take a few days off from work if you find you have been running yourself ragged, Aries. The pressure to be the best may have gotten to you and you need a rest. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Powering through a situation sometimes works, but not if you are feeling ill or injured, Taurus. Prioritize your health right now and take a step back if need be. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, there are always two sides to every story, so resist the urge to weigh in on a situation between friends right now. Get all of the information first and...

  • Dear Editor: I Hope You Can Do Better Than This

    ROBERT JUMP|Feb 21, 2024

    Dear Editor, I just read your story regarding Tactical Civics (Ledger - 6/9/2021), why the softball? Had you gone to the website, you'd have read something far different than the hooey spouted in the story. "This republic of sovereign States, founded in the Name of Jesus Christ and blessed for centuries, is now under Communist occupation by D.C., Beijing, and many state palaces. The massive fraud in the 2020 election, combined with the criminal COVID-19 hoax was the work of criminals in the...

  • Dear Editor: Guess What? You Owe More Money!

    JAN LOMBARDI|Feb 21, 2024

    Dear Editor, Well, the next step in your residential property tax increase is happening. Banks are sending updated "mortgage bills" to homeowners. Guess what? You owe more money! Recently, a young friend reached out, concerned about his $100 monthly mortgage increase and he didn't know why. That's a lot of money - $1,200 a year. Drumroll for the explanation. Since the bill comes from the bank, it's the lender's fault, right? Nope. By law, a residential mortgage statement must show the escrow...

  • Dear Editor: We Must Manage Our Public Lands Better

    Feb 21, 2024

    Dear Editor, Hunting, angling, and ranching are the cornerstones of our communities in Southwest Montana. As such, our public lands should be managed to support these activities, which are significant economic drivers for our local economy. However, most of the public lands in Beaverhead and Madison Counties are still available for oil and gas leasing. This is surprising, given that there's very little history of drilling in our counties. According to BLM, the industry has never drilled "a...

  • Thought Provokers: 2/21/2024

    Feb 21, 2024

    Everything that comes out of the human body smells bad. Sneezing while driving is very dangerous. Addictions are normally accepted if you generate revenue from them. Naming children after dead relatives is very common, but naming a pet after a past dead pet is incredibly weird. All firearms are a sophisticated way of throwing rocks at each other. Everyone’s an idiot and only smart people are willing to admit it. It’s unfathomably easy to ruin your entire life. Finding a dollar in the 1800s must have been so exciting. People are much more...

  • Just Ask Georgia: 2/21/2024

    GEORGIA|Feb 21, 2024

    Georgia, I have a question, I got a new neighbor. She came to say hello and in the same sentence said she was getting a privacy fence and asked if I would pay for my side. I looked at her and laughed. I thought she was messing with me. Woman was dead serious. I told her that’s not how that freaking works and I shut my door in her face after she told me I had no choice. She’s been living in the neighborhood for a week. Am I in the wrong for thinking if she wants to put up a fence she should pay for it herself? Don’t Want a Fence Dear Don...

  • CONNECTING POINT: Expired & Worn

    BILL LANES|Feb 21, 2024

    I recently found myself digging through the fridge to grab some milk, I was looking forward to enjoying a rare bowl of cereal. Disappointment set in as I took a whiff and squinted to read the expiration date on the milk container. Dina, my wife, pointed out a small amount of heavy cream in the fridge door so I watered that down to enjoy the rather rare bowl of cereal since the expiration date was safe. In Luke 5 we read of Jesus describing two parables: new and old patching of garments and new and old wineskins to make a point, all the...

  • Horoscopes: Week of 2/21/2024

    Feb 21, 2024

    ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, a measure of controversy has found its way into your life, but you may want to avoid letting others know your feelings. Keep conversations to trivial topics this week. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Advice about how to handle a confusing financial matter may not be resonating right now, Taurus. You may need to review the data a few different times. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, consider another’s perspective more closely in the days to come. A different point of view may help you to more clearly define your own outlook....

  • Dear Editor: AI and Voting

    CHARLES HADDON SHANK|Feb 14, 2024

    Dear Editor, I'm going to try to kill two birds with one stone! Neither of my subjects, Voting & AI, are necessarily about anything currently happening in Whitehall, though voting is probably on the minds of many. AI, on the other hand, is a mixed bag. This letter is somewhat in response to the article by Keith Hammond of the Boulder Monitor, published in the January 31, 2024 edition of the Ledger. Whatever one's opinion about voting, it must be represented that, it hits closer to home than voting for the next president of these United...

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