Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 226 - 250 of 1911
Dear Editor, I would like to submit a letter in response to Barbara Lien's letter. Barbara, thank you for writing to express your concerns regarding Whitehall Indivisible. The seeds of the group sprouted on a snowy day in February over scones at my kitchen table. Concern about the direction of this beloved country drew us together initially and continues to draw people to the meetings, and that is nonpartisan. Violating the Constitution is a nonpartisan insult, as is law-breaking by high-level...
Dear Editor, Do you believe in justice? Let me tell you a story. One there was a young lady, barely 19 years old. This lady had developed mental illness due to a couple of very traumatic events in the last year and a half. She was diagnosed, but soon quit taking her medication. She thought that she was okay. But soon enough, the trouble started (delusions, voices, etc.). She had several encounters with tlocal police (they know her byt name.) They knew that the young lady was mentally ill. So...
Dear Editor, I would like to respond to Barbara Lien's Letter to the Editor: Please come to our meeting before you make any decisions about where this group lands on the political spectrum. I am certainly not "Far Left." I also took the Pew political quiz that you wrote about. I also landed on "Stressed Sideliners" and "Outsider Left." We are not very far apart at all! I am very distressed at what is happening in the country and what is happening to friends and family, and I am also completely...
Dear Editor, Thank you to Barbara Lien for your Letter to the Editor published in the April 2nd Ledger. Upon reading the letter and noting her mention of the name Whitehall Indivisible, I recognize an ongoing situation that has persisted for years and gradually worsened by enhancing the false division between members of both parties. Unfortunately, politicians have used that misunderstanding to their own advantage while running for office. When I read the letter and saw that she had brought up t...
Every time a celebrity signs an autograph, they end up slightly devaluing every autograph they’ve ever signed. If a highly advanced alien civilization wants to stay hidden, then we can be sure that there won’t be any evidence of them being here. Future people are going to talk about us with our micro plastics and bad food pyramid the same way we talk about the romans for using lead piping and lead cups. Could you imagine being a honey bee and knowing that a huge amount of the human population immediately associates honey with bears instead? It...
We spend a lot of time debating a variety of different issues here at the Montana Legislature. However, many of our neighbors really just want us to address one thing: property taxes. With only 90 days to work every two years, it’s important for us to prioritize policies that the people of Montana sent us here to accomplish. There have been multiple proposals to lower property and income taxes, but few have made their way to the Governor’s desk, with only a handful of weeks left to go this session. So, what gives? Sadly, it appears that all...
GEORGIA, I have a question, In this case, can two wrongs make a right? I (29F) and my husband (30M) are expecting our first baby. We announced it at my brother’s wedding. And now, half the family is furious with us. Before you judge me, let me tell you the whole story. Two years ago, when we got married, it was one of the happiest days of my life... until my brother decided to steal the spotlight. During the reception, in the middle of his toast, he got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend in front of everyone. The crowd went wild, p...
As Christians, we find ourselves on a journey, from being lost sinners without Jesus to being found and made righteous in Christ. We move from simply a follower of Jesus to a disciple who grows in character, found in personal conduct and our relationships, as we surrender to the Holy Spirit and obey principles in the Bible. No Christian is perfect on this side of eternity; thus, the term journey. In Luke 17, Jesus directs His teaching to the disciples, unlike most previous chapters, where His teachings focus on confronting the Pharisees in...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 This week you are going to take action on a project that has been on your mind for awhile, Aries. Trust your instincts, but make sure you are not moving too fast. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 This week brings an opportunity for intellectual pursuits, Taurus. You might think to enroll in a higher education class or a take a course on a specific hobby that has been on your mind. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Partnerships are key right now, Gemini. You might want to pursue new professional relationships. Embrace your ability and...
Dear Editor, I'd like to address the "Whitehall Indivisible" organizers: I'm surprised that you refer to your group as "non-partisan" yet aligned yourselves with a nonprofit (Indivisible.org) whose mission statement is "to elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda." That doesn't sound very non-partisan to me. The fact that the Indivisible organization takes its name from our Pledge of Allegiance (one nation... INDIVISIBLE) is just ironic; they are known for se...
In the digital age, death isn’t just absence: it’s watching someone leave the family group chat and knowing they won’t read the next message. A crocodile has a massive advantage over a lion in deep water, but the lion wins on dry land. Therefore, a depth of water must exist that makes it an even fight. Our brains recognize ads so fast that we skip them without a second thought. It’s not to hide their identity: even the Ninja Turtles can’t tell each other apart without their colored masks. With the rise of AI, we will soon see the introduct...
Georgia, I have a question, Last weekend, my 16-year-old son went thrifting with his friends. He found the score of all scores (in his mind, at least) - a signed Mr. Beast T-shirt, sized large, with a signature and a doodle of a snake. One of his friends resells thrift finds and told him he could make $300 reselling the shirt. He brought it home and was so excited. Well...I washed it. He told me it was valuable, but I washed it anyway because it was from a thrift store. You can just barely make out the faded marks of what once was. He went...
Throughout Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we see Jesus’s constant use of parables. This was a simple way to teach kingdom principles of God. Most are tangible illustrations of unnamed individuals. However, many true-life experiences are shared by Jesus as they experienced physical healing, forgiveness of sin, and transformative life change. In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus illustrates speaking about Lazarus and the Rich man. At first glance, one may view this as a parable or think of Lazarus as a fictional character, when it is highly probable that J...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, a burst of energy propels you to move forward. Everything is clicking; you are full of ideas and brimming with contagious enthusiasm. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 You are in the mood to get to business this week, Taurus. It’s a great time to focus on your career or finances. Pay attention to all of the little details as you go along. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Curiosity takes control this week, Gemini. Learning opportunities are all around you. You need to look for them. It may be a new class or a trip you take with f...
Dear Editor, At times, the Montana Legislative body is out of touch with the citizens of Montana. HJ24 does not reflect public opinion concerning public lands and waterways, as the bill purports. The bill supports Utah politicians' failed lawsuit seeking to find that federal public land ownership in Utah is unconstitutional. The courts have found that Federal public land ownership is constitutionally legal. Whether you're a MAGA, liberal, conservative, or moderate, most Montanans value our...
Dear Editor, "Our Constitution was made for only a moral and religious people." - John Adams Convincing the masses that the fairy tale economy (where reckless spending without consequences) is over is probably not going to occur. Desperate for the security of the status quo is why those on the losing end of this fantasy are angry and very vocal. While it's not without compassion that one can consider the struggle that lies before them to regain their financial security, it comes down to the...
Dear Editor, Because I am not a student of history, I want to understand present times by posing the following question: What are the historical consequences when a person with political power does the following things? 1. Makes the Legislative branch of government irrelevant. 2. Attacks judges and the Judicial system. 3. Attacks "the enemy within," including anyone who disagrees and speaks up (minorities, political opponents, etc). 4. Attacks academics. 5. Attacks allies. 6. Speaks with a...
Dear Editor, As Senators, we are charged with the responsibility to serve the people of Montana by working together to shape laws that are in the best interest of our state. As Republican Senators, we believe we have been tasked with pursuing fiscal responsibility and limited, effective government. Sadly, this session has been marked by controversy as we’ve learned one of our own party leaders may have broken the trust of Montana voters. When the Senate voted to send former President E...
Dear Editor, I received a postcard this weekend from Senator Daines and President Trump accusing the Biden administration of breaking Medicare with price controls. The only conclusion that can be drawn from the carefully constructed lies it contained is that the pharmaceutical industry's lobbyists have increased pressure on them to roll back Medicare's ability to negotiate prices on behalf of its members. The lies that Medicare's ability to negotiate on the behalf of its members will prevent...
No one ever skips breakfast because breakfast means breaking the fast. Therefore, those who say they skip breakfast eat it later in the day and call it by another name. Someone who obsessively collects things and refuses to part with them is dubbed a hoarder and said to be mentally ill, yet someone who obsessively amasses money and doesn’t part with it is defended and dubbed sane. If humans invent anti-aging technology, family pictures would look like groups of friends who happen to share the same last name. When the poo starts flying, it’s a g...
GEORGIA, I have a question, I’m happy with my life - in my late 40s, successful in my profession, solid marriage, and two wonderful sons - until my younger sister enters the room. She’s a surgeon married to another doctor; they have boatloads of money, run marathons for charity, and have the world’s most polite teen. She’s the kind of person who took up painting as a hobby, then won a major competition a year later, got an agent, and booked a gallery show. She acts modest but seems clueless about how every family event turns into a Q&A and is t...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you may encounter some stubborn people this week, which always has the potential for confrontation. Make yourself scarce if conversations veer in the wrong direction. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Things might not be lining up perfectly for a whirlwind trip right now, Taurus. Don’t let it get you down. In a few more weeks, an entirely different story may emerge. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, this is a good opportunity to begin clearing up the clutter in your life. Start tackling the mess as soon as possible and enjoy the...
Dear Editor, There's an effort in the legislature to keep Montana citizens off the ballot. HB 207 hasn't made many headlines, but the bill is an attempt to make it harder for Independent, third-party, and write-in candidates to qualify for the ballot in districts across Montana. Independents already face a higher barrier to getting on the ballot than candidates from the Republican or Democratic parties, and we shouldn't make it even harder for those who don't affiliate with our two major...
Dear Editor, Concerning House Bill 320 (HB 320): I applaud Representative Walsh's rationale as stated in the Whitehall Ledger's March 12th issue on his NO vote on HB 320. He reasoned a NO vote due to the "lack of proper oversight and the risk of undermining the foundation of public education." The 32-page bill reads like IRS instructions. It is overly complex and ambiguous on the types of private education that could qualify for educational tax credits. I did manage to find the sections where...
Dear Editor, I want to give a huge shout-out and a fervent thank you to the men and women of PULSE/JVEMS and the doctors and nurses of the St. James ER and Hospital! This past week has been a whirlwind for me. What started as a touch of something on Sunday (it turned out to be Influenza A) escalated by Tuesday into something I'd never even heard of before. By Tuesday evening, I couldn't even get out of bed without falling on my face. Apparently, I'd also contracted Rhabdomyolysis! Long story...
