When I was a young man, I used to cut out pictures of Montana's grand mountains from travel magazines, read books set on its rolling plains, and watched movies that featured its trout-filled rivers. When I moved here I threw myself into exploring this familiar land, especially those trout-filled rivers, all while a vicious virus deepened divisions across our country. But on … [Read more...] about Opinion: GOP won, so do like your commercials and protect our public lands

Senator Daines, As a Montanan and an American, I find your allegation that Democrats are "stealing" the election from Mr. Trump completely outrageous. No one has "stolen" the election. Millions simply exercised their right as Americans and voted, and there has been no evidence of any irregularity, no evidence to refute that Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala … [Read more...] about Opinion: Daines is wrong to accuse Democrats of ‘stealing’ the election

Literally.  If you, despite all the evidence, choose not to wear a face mask or follow the protocols of the county health professionals, I’ll not debate the issue with you. I accept your choice. But you must accept responsibility for your actions. Have the courage of your convictions. To that end, if you get Covid-19: Pledge NOT to accept medical care. Pledge NOT to … [Read more...] about Opinion: Put your money where your mouth is

With the passage in Montana of I-190 we have joined California, Washington, Oregon, and a few other “liberal” states in making the purchase and use of marijuana jail-time free. It has been about 100 years since its use became a social stigma, then illegal in the United States. Marijuana use was blamed for everything from mild insanity to the insatiable urge to massacre … [Read more...] about Montana Viewpoint: The people have ‘smoken’ with legal marijuana

Dear Mayor Engen, I hope this message finds you well. I know I struggle to feel any degree of security considering the growing disaster overtaking our country, our state, and our city. As our elected leader, I imagine the devastation weighs even more heavily on you. However, there are steps you can take to ensure our citizens' safety in the midst of this devastating … [Read more...] about Letters: Missoula’s elected officials should enforce county’s mask mandate