News you can use
News you can use
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Published Oct. 3, 2024 I am responding to the Guest Columnists, Marc Racicot and Bob Brown, in last week’s article “Free and Open Primaries”. Mr. Racicot and Mr. Brown wrote at length about political parties “dominating and destroying democracy” plus other statements which seemed to me are about instilling fear in Montana voters. They stated later in the article that by choosing CI-126 and 127 “independent-minded Montanans would have the freedom to choose among all of the candidates.” The purpose of primary elections is...
Published Oct. 3, 2024 Montana has never been more expensive, and Governor Greg Gianforte is pouring gas on the fire. Gianforte raised property taxes by as much as 111%. That’s the largest increase in Montana history. What’s worse, he’s handed out tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires like himself, while pricing hardworking Montanans and seniors out of their homes. One of the most important decisions we face this election year is who we should ask to be our next governor. My name is Ryan Busse. I’m asking for your vo... Full story
Tim Sheehy joked about one of his experiences as, “a great way to bond with all the Indians while they’re drunk at 8:00 am” or throwing beer cans at cultural events. He then repeated his racist remarks to other audiences for their entertainment, he tells us who he is. There is no doubt his racist statements reflect his values. Mr. Sheehy’s racist belief, declared and repeated, inflicts devastation on Indigenous people. His hurtful words are felt by us all. They are particularly damaging as they perpetuate an ugly stereotype a...
On September 27th, across the State of Montana, we celebrate Native American Day. In Rocky Boy, this day includes a parade and various activities meant to highlight and showcase our culture and traditions, but this year holds even greater significance for us at Rocky Boy Health Center. In addition to the national celebration, we will be commemorating our 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Rocky Boy Health Center and 30 years since the Chippewa Cree Tribe entered into self-governance agreements with the Indian...
My morning readings include a short poem by Rumi as translated by Coleman Barks. One morning this past week, I read: Who makes these changes? I shoot an arrow right. It lands left. I ride after a deer And find myself chased by a hog. I plot to get what I want And end up in prison. I dig pits to trap others And fall in. I should be suspicious Of what I want. And that pretty much says it. My life in a nutshell. Rumi has not become my daily horoscope. Some days his words mean...
“Ye Party Zealots, thus it fares with you, When Party Rage too warmly you pursue; Both Sides club Nonsense and impetuous Pride, And Folly joins whom Sentiments divide.” ~ Benjamin Franklin The danger of powerful political parties being obsessed with dominating and destroying democracy was also echoed by our greatest founder George Washington when in his farewell address he cautioned that “In contemplating the causes which may disturb our union,” he particularly identified the “spirit of party,” which he warned would ultim...
Editor’s note: This version corrects the name of the writer of the editorial. Recently, I listened to a radio interview with Tim Sheehy on Working Ranch radio show that is very concerning. When Tim Sheehy was asked about MCOOL (mandatory country of origin label) his answer sided with the packers. He said they should have the ability to mix foreign beef with US beef without being penalized. To be clear the only penalty that the packers now have is to not to dishonestly label their products. He said that mixing in foreign b...
Mr. Sheehy, The Montana American Indian Caucus cannot express how let down we are by your remarks, where we can hear you disparaging the Crow Nation. You said that roping and branding with a member of the Crow Tribe was “… a great way to bond with all the Indians out there while they’re drunk at 8:00 a.m., and you’re roping together.” On other occasions, you talked about attending the Crow Fair parade, saying that “they’ll let you know when they like you or not if Coors Light cans fly by your head.” Your words perpetuate the...
The longer I live, the less certain I am about anything. In fact, when I detect certainty in my thinking, I immediately stop and investigate to find the flaw. You’ve all met Leo. He works in my yard a couple half-days a week. Leo is much more than a garden worker. I’ve come to depend on Leo for all manner of help. He is a gentle man, educated, generous, and has a brilliant sense of humor. Over time, he’s come to seem a grandson to me. He trusts me enough to tell me when he th...
I have a problem with inspirational quotes. “You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream another dream,” is a quote attributed to C.S. Lewis. He didn’t say it. “It is never too late to be what you might have been” is something George Eliot is supposed to have said. She never said that, either. I could keep on going, but it’s a safe bet that, if you read it on Facebook and it is attributed to Mother Teresa, Einstein or Keanu Reeves, they almost certainly did not say...
Elizabeth “Betty” Joyce Dyer Bitz passed away September 9, 2024, at the Big Sandy Medical Center of natural causes. She joyfully celebrated her 87th birthday September 4, with family and friends by her side. A memorial service to celebrate her life was held Friday, September 13, at 2 p.m. at the Big Sandy Community Church of God. Cremation has taken place and her ashes will be interred with Ron’s at the Big Sandy Cemetery. Ashes will also be scattered at the farm as per her w... Full story
It was a dark and sleepless night, not a storm cloud in sight. I did the usual when I don’t sleep. I gazed out the window. Turned from my right side to my left side. Threw back the blanket. Turned from my left side to my right side. Pulled up the blanket and tucked it around me, a cocoon. Too many times. Sensible people, I am told, get up and do something. Binge on Netflix. Scrub the toilet. Read until their eyeballs fall out. Work an entire book of Sudoku. Drink a bottle o...
$60 million is the current total raised from corporate/other donations by Montana Senate Candidates reported by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). FEC is vague if the total includes Super Political Action Committee (PAC) donations. The $60 million? Likely higher. As a former legislative aide at the U.S. Capitol for over four years we kept “The List.” Top money donors on top; $5 donors on bottom. Direction was “Always Check The List” if a donor called requesting time with the member of Congress. Top donors saw “the Bo...
We are writing as former office holders and candidates. Though we are less politically active than we used to be, we step up when motivated. The 2024 race for Montana state auditor is one of those moments. We want to tell you why we feel so strongly about John Repke, candidate for State Auditor this November. Mark speaks from his eight years serving as state auditor. Dorothy speaks from her love of Montana and longstanding commitment to quality public service. These are our three main points: • The state auditor regulates i...
I wear used clothes. I remember going to clothing stores years ago and buying new clothes. But about the time I stopped wearing business suits and flying in airplanes for work, I started going to used clothing stores. Then I discovered online consignment stores and, since then, I’ve hardly bought a new item of clothing except socks and shoes and underwear. I like used clothes. Of course, I like the prices. I’ve always been frugal and when I see how much a pair of new jea...
With the tidal wave of political advertising swamping the media, the down-ballot candidates are completely drowned out by the PAC candidates at the top of the ticket. There are important details of down-ballot candidates, however, that deserve our attention. Take, for example, the candidates Erin Farris-Olsen and John Repke. The clerk of the Supreme Court is somehow still an elected office in Montana. Though ministerial and not a policy-making position, it is elected on a partisan basis. It shouldn’t be. Erin Farris-Olsen i...
We all get them. This has been our turn. A week fraught with “one thing after another.” The kind of week where the little disasters loom large in shadows of big fears. My friend Ana in Oconahua had been having stomach pains for a long time, much longer than anybody knew when she finally admitted them and went for tests. Bango — into the hospital she landed, gall bladder surgery. She left minus a body part, with rocks in hand. She is recovering nicely from the surgery but s...
I have never been able to watch scary movies. My mother will remind you (if she gets the chance) that I can’t even watch embarrassing television programs, which is, frankly, embarrassing. I would watch that terrible moment when Lucy was about to get caught doing something embarrassing by her employer, Mr. Mooney, on “The Lucy Show” reruns, and I would have to leave the room in a hurry — making excuses about how I suddenly needed to help set the table. The truth was, I just co...
As Montana students, parents, and teachers begin a new school year, I share in their excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead of us. This week, I am welcoming families and educators back to the first day of school in Townsend. As I reflect on my nearly two decades of “first days” of school in Montana, I know that returning to school represents the beginning of a new year of opportunities for learning, socializing, athletics, and extra-curriculars activities. Yet, as the school doors open, our families and edu...
Grandma raised me. When I was born, my Dad was overseas fighting in The War. My Mom had what we today call mental health issues. For all know, from stories told me by that side of the family, she might have been Mad as the Proverbial Hatter. Uncles and Aunts rescued me often and I’m sure they were glad to hand me and Mom over to Dad when he returned. My Dad was a farmer. He loved farming. He loved my Mom. Mom loved Dad. Mom did not love farming. I was 3 when my sister was b...
Mr. Sheehy: The following ad promoting demonstrably false and dangerous misinformation airing on Montana television paid for by the Tim Sheehy Campaign for U.S. Senate featuring Nora Fouhy of Billings has come to our attention. In the ad Ms. Fouhy makes the following statement: “For 50 years I worked and paid into Social Security and Medicare. But Joe Biden and Democratic politicians have raided the Social Security and Medicare trust funds. Jon Tester is one of the worst. Tester supported huge cuts in Social Security while s...
It’s that time of year again when the morning air is a little crisper, football season is upon us and our kids are back at school. Fall is my favorite season and I always look forward to turning the calendar from August to September, which is also my favorite month. Along with enjoying the changing seasons, it’s also a great time to celebrate our public schools. As our community’s kids from kindergarten to high school get back in the swing of a schooltime schedule, it’s important to remember exactly how important a well-fu...
I spent 12 years in the Montana Legislature,1995 through 2006. Session after session we fought the same battle over taxes. Those who represented wealthy people and commercial interests argued that their taxes should be lowered. They needed more money in their pockets, they claimed. Their share of responsibility for paying for government services should be reduced, and the burden should be shifted to the middle class. We’ve all heard the rationale for this shirking of civic responsibility: Give the wealthy and the c...
