Opinion / Columnists
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What is the Veteran Directed Care Program?
With Memorial Day coming up, I am acutely reminded of all the benefits we enjoy in our country due to the service and sacrifices of United States Veterans. The purpose of today's Note from Linda is...
Wrap up of productive session
The 66th Legislative Session has come to an end. Out of all the Legislative Sessions I have seen, this has been the most productive. When I first got involved in politics, the State Budget was...
Infrastructure package comes through
HELENA - We are coming up on our last week here in the Legislative session. During the 2018 election, I said that if you elected me to represent you in Helena that I would chair the states infrastructure committee and work to shepherd a complete...
Spring at last
Everywhere I went this last winter seems like everyone sez "Are you tired of winter yet?" Ya, I guess the older I get the more I long for spring. At about the 21st of March, the red, red robin came bo...
Revolver or auto?
When asked that question, my reply is, “what do you want the gun for?” Let’s talk about only concealed carry for now. I will address other purposes later. There are so many choices it can be...
Many unknowns in the home stretch
The Legislative Session is coming to an end. I have heard rumors that Republican and Democratic leadership are thinking we might be done by Easter but we hear that leadership wants us to be done early every session and it usually doesn’t work out....
State Budget closing in on final days
HELENA - Monday was the final day for general bills to transmit back to the chamber they originated in, so any policy bills that weren’t returned to the House or the Senate, depending on where they started are now dead. Moving forward, most of the...
Consciousness varies
In past articles, I described consciousness as awareness but we must ask: Does awareness differ from person to person? Clearly, everyone has consciousness, however, like so much of psychology each...
Sprinkler woes and when to start planting
Q: Watering always is a problem for us. We hand water some raised beds but that doesn't work if we are going to be gone for several days. If we use sprinklers with timers, we end up watering areas...
Prevent loneliness from wrecking your retirement
Dear friends, Retiring in Seeley-Swan Valley? What does that look like? We know it is an extraordinarily beautiful landscape. We absolutely love it here for many reasons: fishing, hunting, hiking,...
Closing in on transmittal
HELENA - This week was the final week before transmittal, meaning that every bill that started in one chamber, had to pass through to the other chamber in order to stay alive. So at this point, any bill that started in the House and has not passed...
How cold was it?
This past winter we had some normal cold spells. It's winter in Montana folks. Watching the TV and to hear the weather people ramble on you'd think we lived in the Arctic. Oh, that's right all the...
Budget and infrastructure legislation
HELENA - Last week, the State Budget passed out of the House and is now on its way to the Senate Finance and Claims committee. As Finance and Claims begins having hearings on the budget, the legislature will receive another update on the State’s...
Why I hate the .357 magnum
The reason I hate the .357 so much is partly because of the handguns it is available in. Many of the firearms manufactured in the .357 are works of art by themselves. Some of them are so nice and so...
State and local Infrastructure Act up for discussion
Things are starting to pick up again here at the legislature after transmittal. House Committees are starting to hear all of the Senate bills that were sent to the House during transmittal. Most of the “Big Issue” bills, from tax increase bills...
Truth or consequences
What is meant by truth or consequences? Well, at one time, this was the title of a game show. The consequences in the game show were fun and humorous. In addition, throughout the centuries...
Raised bed and path woes
Q: We are starting our first garden of raised beds in Seeley Lake. How much do we have to worry about soil contaminants in our garden beds? Is there some way to keep the soil in good health from year...
With your help we can meet our $5,000 goal for Meals on Wheels Seeley Lake
Hear the band? Join the March... Join us as we march into spring with our local Meals on Wheels (MOW) campaign March for Meals - Seeley Lake. March for Meals – Seeley Lake is the annual fundraising...
Successes at the half way point
We have now finished the 45th Legislative day and are officially halfway through the legislative session in Helena. Most members of the Legislature have a week or so break as the general bills are all transmitted over to the opposite legislative...
The 'Man Flu' and other maladies
Let's talk today about one of the most horrible illnesses known to, well-MAN-the man flu! As a man and a previous man flu sufferer, I can tell you-it's awful. While my wife (and women in general) may...
Remembering
Cutt'n timber all over the country you get to see and hear some things that you'll never forget. On that burn over at the North Fork of the Blackfoot where me and Elden Rammell were sentenced to cut,...
Building the budget up
We are two weeks out from the deadline for General Policy bills in the legislature. These are policy bills that do not have any dollars associated with them. Every committee has been having full hearing schedules trying to work through them all and e...
Can a leopard change its spots?
Of course a real leopard cannot change its spots but the question refers to psychological spots, such as personality characteristics, behaviors, emotions, values, beliefs, childhood influences and...
The importance of the MMR vaccine
I want to talk today about a vaccine. Wait...don't roll your eyes! This one is important, especially in light of the recent outbreak of measles that you have probably been hearing about. I feel it app...
A lot happening in the Legislature
HELENA - There are now 900 introduced bills with around 100 or so already having been killed by committees. By the time the legislature ends, we should have somewhere around 1,500 bills having been introduced or having been drafted and had a hearing....
