On Friday, November 22, my cellphone exploded with requests to comment on the latest events involving the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Water Compact that has been stalled at the federal level for over four years.  Last week, Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt sent a letter to Senator Steve Daines that supported moving forward with the Compact.  Then United … [Read more...] about Sen. Al Olszewski: Fight the Flathead Water Compact now

While I may agree with Mr. Elliott in principle, I must disagree with him in fact. Without naming names, Mr. Elliott is pointing the fickle finger of fate at the current administration. His condemnation of the amateur diplomats running amok throughout the world is to him unsettling at best, but ignoring the realities of history. If my memory serves correctly, I believe a … [Read more...] about Letters: Elliott column ignores the realities of history; politicking goes on as usual

The inevitable has happened.  Montana Gov. Steve Bullock’s effort to become the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee has ended.  Notwithstanding his valid effort to advance the concept that national politics and governing could benefit from a Democratic centrist who proved he could work with Republicans and Independents to advance the public good, Bullock’s campaign did not … [Read more...] about Evan Barrett: Gov. Steve Bullock should be in U.S. Senate

There was once a colorful character named Bat O’Callahan who lived near my hometown of Trout Creek, Montana. He and his wife Jessie worked on the Silver Creek Ranch in Riley, Oregon, in the 1950s. Jessie was the ranch cook, and one day a fight broke out in the dining hall among the young buckaroos (which is what cowboys are called in that part of America) and weapons were … [Read more...] about Montana Viewpoint: False bravado places nation’s safety, leadership at risk

It’s time to sit by the fire and settle in for another cold winter. This time of year, I like to pull out a copy of Stoves and Hardware Reporter: A Weekly Record and Review of the Trade and review the latest hardware products. One can also learn about developments in heating technology. Why yes, I do possess a rather refined collection of quality literature. Thank you for … [Read more...] about Harmon’s Histories: Gifts for that hard-to-please, has-everything someone