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Reagan-era Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died a year ago last month. The Supreme Court vacancy has not been replaced since his demise. In 2016, the Democrats had less than a majority in the Senate and lacked the prowess to confirm Obama’s replacement pick for SCOTUS, or even implement the nuclear option they controversially wrote into senate rules in late 2013. For these reasons, we stand here today with all likelihood that an alternative pick, chosen by President Trump, Neil Gorsuch will be the newly appointed Supreme Court justice. He...
Daylight Savings Let us not give up on Senate Bill 206, regarding Daylight Savings Time. This bill has been tabled by the Legislature. Call them at once and ask them to reconsider voting on and passing this bill. Daylight Savings Time does a lot more harm, then it does good. -Arlene Blessing Great Falls...
In spite of a couple rough spots the week before last, and one the week before that, it was a great one. Two weeks ago Sunday, I had a really nice visit with a friend. I’d shared with her about a doctor’s appointment I’d had. I told her a CT scan of my chest revealed spots of cancer in my ribs, vertebrae, and sternum. Several of them were new spots. My doctor and I had a discussion about pain management. When I met with my oncologist, we talked about the CT scan I’d had the week before. He said he wanted a contrast CT scan of my abdomen and pel...
I have written before about recycling and I admit I am at it again. We have all read the funny little articles about the “Green Thing” and nod our head in agreement. Yes, those of us of my generation and previous generations recycled so many things without giving it a thought. It was an everyday thing. Coffee cans were saved and many times used in the shop by the men to organize their nuts and bolts, etc., clothing was recycled by making over for the children, and so on and on. My husband and I took a few days off a couple of weeks ago to att...
The State of the Montana Budget Side by Side In this ongoing segment, Glasgow-based columnists Michael Burns and Alec Carmichael have agreed to square off on issues of national and international significance. Less a debate format than an opportunity to feature in-depth discussion, "Side by Side" will feature structured analysis of current events complete with fact-checking, editorial support and, when necessary, informal arbitration. To suggest a topic for our duo, write to [email protected]. “You know things are tough when students are a...
The State of the Montana Budget Side by Side In this ongoing segment, Glasgow-based columnists Michael Burns and Alec Carmichael have agreed to square off on issues of national and international significance. Less a debate format than an opportunity to feature in-depth discussion, "Side by Side" will feature structured analysis of current events complete with fact-checking, editorial support and, when necessary, informal arbitration. To suggest a topic for our duo, write to [email protected]. So Montana’s House passed a budget. Republicans s...
Having never sponsored a tax bill in my twelve years as a state legislator, I find myself in a new strange place. However as I watched nearly ninety million dollars in services for senior citizens and people who have disabilities, including children, being cut from the state budget I had to do something. Fortunately we have a mechanism to help restore these programs and positively impact the health and welfare of Montanans. Through my bill called the SAVE ACT, we will increase the tobacco tax by $1.50 a pack. I fully understand that this may...
I recently lost part of my identity. I am no longer the mother of a high school basketball player. I have to sheepishly confess that I was devastated the moment it happened, and it took some time for me to shake the sadness. I know, it seems a little dramatic. Probably more so for those that don’t have kids involved in athletics. Others may understand the feeling exactly. The good news is: I’ve recovered. This past season was especially unique for me as I pulled double duty both as a basketball mom and the sports editor of the Courier. The dua...
Weather is the topic that has been on everyone’s mind these past weeks. Things like “Global Warming” and “Climate Change” creep into our conversations. This prompted me to wonder how many out there remember prior winters that were similar to what we are having now. That in turn prompted me to unlock my Grandmother’s diary and check out her entries for the months of March. Grandma’s entries were sporadic. She might have made an entry for the early 50’s and then skip to the 60’s but the reason for this family information is what I learned fr...
The Affordable Care Act: Repeal and Replace In this ongoing segment, Glasgow-based columnists Michael Burns and Alec Carmichael have agreed to square off on issues of national and international significance. Less a debate format than an opportunity to feature in-depth discussion, "Side by Side" will feature structured analysis of current events complete with fact-checking, editorial support and, when necessary, informal arbitration. To suggest a topic for our duo, write to [email protected]. Obamacare has practically existed in an attempted re...
The Affordable Care Act: Repeal and Replace In this ongoing segment, Glasgow-based columnists Michael Burns and Alec Carmichael have agreed to square off on issues of national and international significance. Less a debate format than an opportunity to feature in-depth discussion, "Side by Side" will feature structured analysis of current events complete with fact-checking, editorial support and, when necessary, informal arbitration. To suggest a topic for our duo, write to [email protected]. When I think about government waste, I often think...
Legislative 'Care' Dear Editor, I’m a caregiver in Glasgow. I’ve lived in the Glasgow area all but three years of my life. As a caregiver my work allows elderly and disabled people to stay in their homes. Many of the folks I care for are people I’ve known since I was a child. They know they can count on me to help them do what they cannot do for themselves. I’m writing because our legislators in Helena are planning to cut $93 million dollars out of the Senior Long Term Care and Development Disability Services. If these cuts go through they wi...
Karolina’s most recent employment in Butte, Montana, during the early 1900s was turning out satisfactory, each position different from the previous one. Life in Montana was more diverse that she, a Croatian-born young lady, could have ever anticipated. Each position added to her understanding of some facet of this culture. Karolina opened the ornate handkerchief box which sat on the edge of the dresser in the master bedroom. Mrs. Hellstern, wife of Dr. Hellstern, had instructed her to air out this box upon completion of bedroom cleaning. An u...
Yesterday (Sunday) was a stunningly beautiful day. Sunshine, no wind, birds singing, and warm. You could almost feel Spring waiting to make its entrance. When I went to one of my favorite websites, a picture of a field of wildflowers popped up. The next ad I saw was one of prom dresses. And I thought ... new life. The world is getting ready to explode with new life. Soon buds will appear on trees, flowers will nudge their way to the surface, greenhouses will overwhelm a persons’s senses with the smell of wet earth, blooming plants, a rainbow o...
Trump: Military Spending and Infrastructure In this ongoing segment, Glasgow-based columnists Michael Burns and Alec Carmichael have agreed to square off on issues of national and international significance. Less a debate format than an opportunity to feature in-depth discussion, "Side by Side" will feature structured analysis of current events complete with fact-checking, editorial support and, when necessary, informal arbitration. To suggest a topic for our duo, write to [email protected]. This year, the Montana Legislature has been...
Trump: Military Spending and Infrastructure In this ongoing segment, Glasgow-based columnists Michael Burns and Alec Carmichael have agreed to square off on issues of national and international significance. Less a debate format than an opportunity to feature in-depth discussion, "Side by Side" will feature structured analysis of current events complete with fact-checking, editorial support and, when necessary, informal arbitration. To suggest a topic for our duo, write to [email protected]. Having announced his $54 billion increase in...
I appreciate Sandy Laumeyer's call to end "internet ugliness" and to conduct ourselves as civilized people should while we are bombarded daily by bad news on the networks and our major daily newspapers. However, in our effort to be "nice," let us not forget to voice our opinions when we perceive wrongs and injustice occurring in our town, state, and/or nation. Tell your elected officials what you think. Protest when necessary. Protesting can be very peaceful and non-destructive like the many recent women's protests. Not everyone has the desire...
I am carrying a bill to proactively address an inexcusably high traffic fatality rate in Montana, and to reinvest in our road and bridge infrastructure at a level that minimizes the burden we leave for the next generation. We have broad agreement on the problem we face with our infrastructure, but a lot of smart people disagree on how we go about addressing that problem. I am convinced that the only way we guarantee consistent funding, an ability to meet our match requirements for federal fuel tax dollars, to fund the highway patrol, and to pro...
Saturday evening, I received a very pleasant suprise. A lovely bouquet of flowers was delivered to me. I have no idea who sent them. But whoever did, if you are reading this, thank you very, very much for your thoughtful gift. It has already brought me many smiles and most certainly brightened my days. On Sunday morning, I awoke to sunshine and the sweet song of birds singing. Though there is still snow on the ground, it even had a bright sparkle to it. To make the day even better, there was a potluck dinner following Mass. And after the...
Translating Trump: Parsing the President's Comments on the Press Side by Side In this ongoing segment, Glasgow-based columnists Michael Burns and Alec Carmichael have agreed to square off on issues of national and international significance. Less a debate format than an opportunity to feature in-depth discussion, "Side by Side" will feature structured analysis of current events complete with fact-checking, editorial support and, when necessary, informal arbitration. To suggest a topic for our duo, write to [email protected]. The unofficial...
Translating Trump: Parsing the President's Comments on the Press Side by Side In this ongoing segment, Glasgow-based columnists Michael Burns and Alec Carmichael have agreed to square off on issues of national and international significance. Less a debate format than an opportunity to feature in-depth discussion, "Side by Side" will feature structured analysis of current events complete with fact-checking, editorial support and, when necessary, informal arbitration. To suggest a topic for our duo, write to [email protected]. In the last few...
Montana Democrats in the House of Representatives have spent the first eight weeks of this legislative session working to strengthen families and businesses across the state. We look to you, our constituents, to share your views and insights with us as we work to keep Montana the last best place. This session, House Democrats have introduced bills that support small businesses and help workers across our great state. One such bill, HB 308, would give tax incentives to employers who help grow our workforce through apprenticeship – including a...
Editor's note: This week, we're introducing a new format from Glasgow-based columnists Michael Burns and Alec Carmichael, who have agreed to square off on issues of national and international significance. Less a debate format than an opportunity to feature in-depth discussion, "Side by Side" will feature structured analysis of current events complete with fact-checking, editorial support and, when necessary, informal arbitration. Eat your heart out social media. To suggest a topic for our duo, write to [email protected]. NATO prevented the...
Editor's note: This week, we're introducing a new format from Glasgow-based columnists Michael Burns and Alec Carmichael, who have agreed to square off on issues of national and international significance. Less a debate format than an opportunity to feature in-depth discussion, "Side by Side" will feature structured analysis of current events complete with fact-checking, editorial support and, when necessary, informal arbitration. Eat your heart out social media. To suggest a topic for our duo, write to [email protected]. The last eight years...
A few days ago I heard of a young couple who had just gotten engaged. What an exciting moment in their lives. And a memory that will last a lifetime. But there’s so much more to getting married than just a set of rings and planning a wedding. Years ago a priest told me that everyone plans for a wedding. He said he wished they spent as much time preparing for the marriage. But that is an impossible task. There really isn’t a way to completely prepare for marriage. Yes, you can help prepare for it by going to premarital classes. What you can’t pr...