Opinion

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We are living in a tumultuous time, and my bet is it will become even more tumultuous after the election. Who ever wins, the supporters of the losing candidate will be angry. There is talk of not accepting the results of the election, something that has never happened in our history. The Right is worried about retribution from the Left, win or lose, and the Left fears vigilante “justice” from the self-appointed “guardians of freedom” of the Right. It could be a mess. It doesn’t have to be, but avoiding it will require leadership and graciousness from the influential people of the Left and Right. A good example was set recently by the Democratic and Republican candidates for the governorship of Utah. They cut an ad together, standing side by side, saying, in essence, we disagree about which of us should be governor of Utah, but we strongly agree that we will treat each other and each other’s supporters with the respect and dignity we all deserve. Those are not their exact words, but it is their exact sentiment. They are leaders. Perhaps better leaders than we deserve and probably better than those we will get.

The food chain is broken

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“I found it to be very stressful when going to the store. We have certain staples that my family loves that we are used to having around the house.” This is Sheena Annala who is a mother of three from Great Falls. Just like many consumers Sheena experienced a threat to food security during the pandemic. The problem of food security is nothing new. American farm policy encourages large corporate farms and centralized processing facilities. Fifty years ago Montana raised and processed 70 percent of its food. Today it raises and processes less than 10 percent of its food. Most Ag products are shipped 1,000 miles to corporate monopolies to be processed, packaged and shipped back 1000 miles to be put on shelves corporate food stores. “It does not make sense that our regional grocery stores are rationing dairy and meat products while family farms are being forced to dump milk and euthanize livestock, said Walter Schweitzer, President of Montana Farmers Union. The farmer, consumer, grocer and restaurant owner are all feeling the effects of a broken food system.”

Out of many ‘theys,’ we

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Ten or so years ago a friend asked if I would help him move a gun safe from his garage to his basement. I agreed not knowing what I was in for.

We need to care for each other

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Nihilism is the belief that there is no meaning or purpose in existence.

Build a welcoming community

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​Growing up in Appalachia, I was taught the value of community. When someone in our community was grieving, we comforted them. When someone was experiencing a difficult time, we reached out and provided whatever resources were needed. When someone was hurt, we felt that pain too, because we celebrated our joys and sorrows together. My suffering was my neighbor’s suffering, and my neighbor’s suffering was my suffering. My dear community, it is no secret that our nation is currently suffering.

An honest politician

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Now that the election season is full upon us I, like you, have had my mailbox jammed full with large and glossy pieces of light cardboard informing me about the merits and flaws of the various candidates. While I am glad that the Post Office is making money off of politicians instead of having politicians trying to de-fund the Post Office, I have been concerned to learn many things about the candidates that I could not have imagined just a month or two ago. This is especially disconcerting because, due to a life of 30 some years in Montana politics I know most of the candidates personally.

Combat veteran says Rosendale is a for Montana veterans

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Montana is home to one of the largest populations of veterans per capita of any state. With just one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, it is critical that we elect someone who will be a strong advocate for our veteran community as well as our active-duty service members. Matt Rosendale is the son and brother of United States Marines. He understands the sacrifice our veterans and their families have made for our country, and he has a strong record of fighting for our veterans and service members. He is the candidate I trust to represent us in the United States Congress.

Now would be a good time for some honest dishonesty

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Somewhere in southern Illinois there’s a high school yearbook that contains a photo of me and another student leaning against a classroom wall on either side of a 1972 campaign poster of a smiling Richard Nixon. The caption writer, another student, notes that my buddy and I are “standing” with our man, the thenincumbent president.

Understanding the absolute necessity of elections

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With emotion, the young army colonel told me that he was convinced that democratic countries were the freest and most prosperous places to live. He wanted his children to live in a democracy “like the United States of America.”

Perilous Bounty is a journey well worth taking

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Some books are worth more in your hand and on your shelf than they are as electrons in your e-reader. These books, and their authors, are valued friends and you return to them often for information, advice, and comfort.

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