Commentary
Wait … so, we’re against diversity, equity and inclusion?
For being a party that allegedly embraces freedom, some Montana Republicans are certainly doing a lot of restricting. Case in point: Sen. Jeremy Trebas, R-Great Falls, wants to prohibit Montana state employees (except those on university campuses) from having to take classes generally considered “DEI” – the acronym that stands for diversity, equity and inclusion. […]
If the Forest Service worked for the people, the Holland Lake proposal should have been rejected
As more information has come to light through the efforts of Save Holland Lake, a few key pieces of the puzzle have fallen into place. I’ve been pondering why the Flathead National Forest would push such a widely unpopular expansion project. Now, after reading recent publications, I have a few ideas of why. Flathead National […]
Sometimes upholding a Constitutional imperative is more important than the politics of the day
Recently, the Daily Montanan carried a commentary by Jim Smith entitled “The Montana Legislature: Helping you run every aspect of your sin-filled life.” In it, Smith attacks efforts by the legislature to pass laws which would limit the teaching of LGBTQIA+ lifestyles and critical race theory to our children in public schools. He lumps everyone […]
Montana Republicans seem all too quick to suffer fools gladly
What in God’s name has happened to the Republican Party? Large groups of it now, in the words of the Apostle Paul “suffer fools gladly” on a regular basis. Clearly, most Republicans are not fools. But many have left the party, offended by the “Make America Great Again” emphasis on hate, lies, racism and anti-democratic policies. […]
Let’s be clear: It’s a slaughter, not a hunt
Our national mammal — the beloved, sacred American bison — is under attack. Of course, they have been since the dawn of colonization, yet despite the false narrative of “America’s greatest conservation success story,” the war against wild buffalo rages on along the northern edge of Yellowstone National Park, where the country’s last continuously wild […]
Montana values and the ’72 state constitution
“Montana values” is an elusive concept, reflecting the varying ideologies and ambitions of Montana citizens since the state’s creation in 1889. Today’s trendy buzzword overlooks the diversity of backgrounds, opinions and prejudices of the state’s rural and urban populace. Montana values have always depended on who’s doing the talking. The one place that does embody […]
Fake news Fox fiasco: Lying for lucre
Thanks to a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit filed against Fox News by Dominion Voting Systems, the nation and world are peeling back the covers on the shocking lies perpetrated by Fox’s top commentators. And how ironic is it that these are the very people who baselessly accused other networks of “fake news” for reporting there […]
Why shocking new data shows we can’t stop fighting hate
If you ever needed a reminder that we can’t turn a blind eye to hate, then new data from the Anti-Defamation League should more than do the trick. As the Capital-Star reported Tuesday, white supremacist propaganda hit an all-time high across the country in 2022, even as antisemitic propaganda more than doubled from the year before. The civil […]
Flirting with hell: Montana leaders’ approach to homeless problem appalling
There’s a place in hell for those who are cruel to homeless poor people. That’s not some liberal windbag editor pontificating about local and state lawmakers who have taken up the habit of trying to run homeless folks out of their towns and state. Those are the words of none other than Jesus Christ, whom […]
Family, friends should not be banned or have to leave home to be who they are
My brother, Dalton Anderson, who lived most of his early childhood in Glendive and now lives in Missoula subscribes to the Glendive Ranger Review. Today, when I phoned him from Victoria, British Columbia, Dalton read aloud the commentary by Rev. Stephen Underwood that gives Biblical references that support this Christian minister’s understanding of drag performances. I […]
Book banning: A red-flag behavior
“Just the facts, ma’am,” was the infamous introductory phrase Sgt. Joe Friday would use when interrogating a witness in the whodunit TV series “Dragnet.” Jack Webb (1920-1982) played Sgt. Friday during Dragnet’s lifespan. Dragnet’s civil servant show often dealt with complex social issues. Let’s apply Sgt. Friday’s flat and concise “just the facts, ma’am” line […]
It’s time to hold nonprofit hospitals accountable
Nonprofit hospitals are supposed to operate like charities, providing affordable health care to those in need while improving their communities in exchange for massive tax breaks. But the truth is that across the country – including here in Montana – nonprofit hospitals are implementing toxic policies that put profits ahead of patients. In recent years, egregious, profit-seeking […]