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News you can use
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Last week, the Montana Supreme Court overturned an earlier victory for free speech rights won in Helena district court by American Tradition Partnership, Montana Shooting Sports Association and Champion Painting Inc. over government bureaucrats' right to bar individuals and companies from airing political opinions under a non-profit or for-profit corporate umbrella. The ban on speech that Montana's court temporarily restored was enacted before Prohibition, in response to this state's embarrassing history of political...
Remember when we were 6 going on 7. Remember when birthdays were a joy, a cause for celebration, awaited with keen anticipation. Remember the excitement of 12 going on 13, becoming a teenager. Or counting the days until we passed that major milestone and turned 21. Ah, the sweet expectations of youth. Then suddenly we were 29 and heading over the hill. Sondra Ashton A few weeks ago I enjoyed the Christmas feast with my cousin Shirley and her older son, Tim. While sewing gift p...
As I write this, it is a year to the date and almost the very hour that I received a phone call from Jim Donovan, Havre Public Schools director of operations, informing me that our high school roof had collapsed. I would like to say that was a distant memory, but the emotions stirred by that thought are still quite fresh. I do not imagine that is something that will change for quite some time. The positive memory that remains with me from that day was the manner in which our high school staff and students reacted to the unexp...
Montanans saw many records shattered in 2011 when it comes to water. While many citizens prayed for years that our drought would end, I doubt any of us ever thought this might be accomplished in one season. One might think that there can be no such thing as too much water in the realm of public drinking water supply systems. However, the flooding wreaked havoc on public water infrastructure and water system reliability. Communities across the state were faced with high turbidity and much of the aging infrastructure was stress...
Democrats and Republicans in Congress have dropped the ball once again. The two parties are unable to make an agreement on how to reduce the national debt, unable to set aside their differences, their egos and their electoral agendas, and find a way to put our country first. It's politics first, country second. But it's a reason you should be proud to live in Montana. Here, we have found a way to work together, make compromises and put citizens first. Last December, I sat down for dinner with Jim Peterson (the Republican...
Like many people, I think Thanksgiving is the best holiday we have going for us, but for me it falls just a smidge short of being the absolute perfect holiday because I balk at being bossed around. Here we have this holiday the sole intent of which (in all its awesomeness) is to bring together family, friends and strays hungry for loads of food and an overabundance of togetherness — then people go and start telling me I'm supposed to be thankful for all the good things that m...
While Occupy North Pole is threatening to disrupt Christmas, the citizens of Toyland are causing their own ruckus rising up against the current ruling faction in Arab Spring fashion. Traditionally, Toyland was ruled by Contrary Mary (though some historians say royal advisor Mother Goose was the real power behind the throne), but her reign ended in 1959 when the introduction of Barbara Millicent Roberts saw the dawning of the Barbie Doll Dynasty. Yes, The Barbie Doll. Now...
While Occupy North Pole is threatening to disrupt Christmas, the citizens of Toyland are causing their own ruckus rising up against the current ruling faction in Arab Spring fashion. Traditionally, Toyland was ruled by Contrary Mary (though some historians say royal advisor Mother Goose was the real power behind the throne), but her reign ended in 1959 when the introduction of Barbara Millicent Roberts saw the dawning of the Barbie Doll Dynasty. Yes, The Barbie Doll. Now...
Nearly every family has a Christmas baby, the baby born in December. It might be your grandfather. It might be your aunt. It might be your brother. It might be your second cousin twice removed. It might be you, a child whose annual birthday is nearly forgotten in the bustle of celebration surrounding the birth of the Original Christmas Babe. I have several friends who were born in December. They all say the same thing. "With all the fuss about Christmas, I might as well not...
Get this, I've been banned from the shop like a common criminal because — and I quote my husband here — I "can't be trusted." More than 22 years together and it comes to this: He's putting a kitty cat between us as if it's a matter of principle. We'd been hearing a feral cat outside the house off and on for a week or so and started feeding it in the shop last weekend. We've been hoping to attract a shop kitty for mouse control purposes, so this was good news. It showed up to...
Agriculture is Montana's largest economic driver, generating more than $2.4 billion in cash receipts every year. Montana's 56.5 million acres of agricultural land not only produce food that Montanans eat and materials for clothes that they wear, but they serve as a primary source of wildlife habitat and a means for conserving open spaces and preserving our hunting heritage. In light of these realities, it seems counter-intuitive that the Montana Wool Growers Association is having to spend a substantial portion of its...
Back when I lived in Washington, a theater group of which I was a member met every Tuesday morning for breakfast at Sheila's By the Bay, a local café. That's where we made the day-to-day decisions of running our theater. And we also discussed a wide range of current topics. One morning, Gayle, a retired government spook, leaned across the table and said, "Sondra, you are the most apolitical person I know." Sondra Ashton "Why, thank you," I replied. I was pleased to accept the compliment and to ignore the hint of frustration...
Ten years ago I sponsored Senate Bill 510 in the Montana Senate, a bill which encouraged the vast amount of money from Otter Creek coal development in southeastern Montana to help pay for our K-12 and higher education schools. Yet not a piece of state-owned Otter Creek coal has been mined, and billions of dollars that will benefit Montana schools sit in the ground. Montana union leaders have supported lawsuits for more education funding and pension bailouts, but they turn silent when environmentalists obstruct school revenue...
To meet the challenges of reducing budget deficits, paying off debt, and getting our citizens back to work, all responsible solutions should be considered. As our state works hard to boost economic recovery and prosperity, we would be wise to utilize all resources available to us. One such resource is national service. Corporation for National and Community Service programs — AmeriCorps and Volunteers in Service to America — help our communities address some of our most pressing challenges like teacher and nursing sho...
A new government investigation has uncovered a deadly bureaucratic turf war between Border Patrol and federal land managers that has been delaying and even denying critical access to the border along federal lands. In one case, Border Patrol had to pay millions of dollars for access to federal lands managed by the National Park Service. That's right. Border Patrol had to expend taxpayer dollars to compensate a federal agency in order to get access to federal land. That's not only bad fiscal policy — it's downright d...
In a startling turn of events indicative of the socio-economic turmoil of these modern times, the Occupy movement has moved north, farthest north in fact, where Santa's elves are spearheading an Occupy North Pole protest. A growing number of elves have been camping out in Biscotti Park, a short walk from ground zero for the protesters: Santa's Workshop. The encamped elves are sleeping in a makeshift village of igloos, yurts and ice castles while mounting their protest against...
Imagine if they cancelled Independence Day. What if the federal government declared that the Fourth of July was no longer a holiday? We would be told to report for work, cancel fireworks displays and picnics and go about our business the same as any other day. Imagine the outrage. Americans would be angered by the suggestion that we shouldn't celebrate freedom. Not recognize Independence Day? Why, that would be un-American. And yet we do the same thing every Dec. 15, the birthday of our Bill of Rights. In guaranteeing these...
One night last week I risked the icy streets and walked downtown for the Harlem Christmas Stroll. The Harlem Civic Association sponsors this delightful annual event enjoyed by the entire community. It was a perfect night, neither too cold nor too windy. Harlem streets, stores and homes were festive with decorations. Chestnuts roasted over an open fire. A gentleman from out Chinook way had brought in a matched team of horses and a hay wagon and treated the children to rides...
Editor: Anyone who witnessed a hit and run accident in Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods parking lot involving a large white pickup truck and a small white station wagon on Dec. 9 between 1:30 and 2 p.m. is asked to call 390-5374. Ethel Birdwell Havre...
I had the honor this week of introducing a jobs bill in the U.S. Senate that enjoyed a rare victory: overwhelming bipartisan support. The Senate passed my VOW to Hire Heroes Act with a vote of 94-1. It's a victory that belongs to the many Montanans who came to me with concerns over this nation's unacceptably high veterans' unemployment rate. SEN. JON TESTER The jobless rate, especially among younger veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan, is getting worse. I consider it a national disgrace. Veterans deserve...
This spring, I attended the Gallatin Valley Farm Fair where local farmers, FFA students, the Gallatin Conservation District and local businesses come together annually to share their expertise and excitement about agriculture and conservation with fourth-graders across the county. Denise Juneau Teachers told me their students ask questions for weeks after their visit to the Farm Fair. Even though Montana students are surrounded by open space and farmland, many of them have not had the opportunity to see a working farm or see...
As per the terms of my employment, I am required to read the news for a large part of my weekday mornings. The gods of fate must get a good laugh out of that. I've always been more of a headlines-only kind of news-o-file. First of all, a good headline lets me know if I want to spend time reading an article. If I see this headline: "Dow drops amid rate hike rumors," I know right away to avoid this article. It sounds too fact-filled and depressing. I see: "Woman tasers self...
The year was 1980. I was recently divorced. I had been through a few rough years. I sold everything I owned and moved myself and my children from Chicago back to Harlem to make a fresh start. Ben was 2, Esther 4 and Dee 13. I rented a tiny house in town, furnished it with items scoured from friends' basements, attics and barns. A one-pound Folgers can propped one corner of the broad-armed mohair sofa. Dee and I each slept on lumpy rollaway beds. The babies had bunks. A friend...
BOZEMAN — It is often lamented that 20-somethings and 30-somethings — people who are the future of our communities and state — are some of the least engaged. To whatever degree the statement is accurate, encouraging more thoughtful discussion and involvement from young Montanans undoubtedly would help generate good ideas and move our state forward. The problem, of course, is that reaching a younger audience can be challenging. Perhaps some of us feel disempowered or have not yet realized the extent to which our lives are s...
The year was 1980. I was recently divorced. I had been through a few rough years. I sold everything I owned and moved myself and my children from Chicago back to Harlem to make a fresh start. Ben was 2, Esther 4 and Dee 13. I rented a tiny house in town, furnished it with items scoured from friends' basements, attics and barns. A one-pound Folgers can propped one corner of the broad-armed mohair sofa. Dee and I each slept on lumpy rollaway beds. The babies had bunks. A friend...
