Columns

IN BRIEF

Assistance with assistance

A convention of states wouldn’t fix the U.S. Constitution

The Convention of States Project seeks, as its name reflects, a convention of states as provided for in Article V of the U.S. Constitution. Such a convention, CPS claims, would “only allow” discussion of amendments that “limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, impose fiscal restraints, and place term limits on federal officials.”

When politicians cry ‘accountability,’ ask ‘accountability to whom?’

“Unity begins with the truth,” U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) tweeted on Jan. 13, arguing in favor of the impeachment of then-President Donald Trump, “and the truth demands accountability.”

Senator Warren just loves her some “accountability.” In 2018, she proposed the “Accountable Capitalism Act.” In 2019, the “Corporate Executive Accountability Act.” In 2020, according to Forbes, she demanded “Accountability From 181 CEOs.” A Google search on her name and the word “accountability” returns 668,000 results.

Tribalism

To the editor,

Welcome to Dillon’s version of Tribalism!

In response to reporter Regan’s “F-bombs away: Free speech debated freely at city meeting,” I write this letter as a political independent who never voted for Biden and never voted for Trump.

Like much of America, Dillon is divided into two primary tribes: (1) the “progressive-liberals,” which include the F-Bomb Trump Tribe members, and (2) the “conservatives,” which include the F-Bomb Biden Tribe members.

Why?

To the editor,

Why are there so many Republicans in Washington who don’t care about Democracy or Justice?

The Republican resistance to an independent commission is disgusting and not American.

An independent commission on the Jan. 6, 2021 of the traitors that stormed and vandalized the U.S. Capitol. This mob which they called themselves, “Save America Rally,” caused injury to 140 individuals, five people died and millions of dollars of damage was done.

Mabee Road case a victory for landowners, but at what price?

The Mabee Road case is a cautionary tale for all Montana landowners.

This saga started in 2007 when Mark Robbins gated a road on his property to stop trespassers. That action caught the attention of the Public Land Water Access Association, a nonprofit that exists to sue landowners to take their property. PLWA first attempted to pressure the Fergus County commission

Overcoming our mental health crisis

Mental health is often considered something outside of our normal well-being. We act like it’s different, foreign, apart from what we mean when we say we “feel good.”

The reality is our mental health…yes, yours and mine…is a critical and essential piece of who we are. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It helps us handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. When we ignore it, we shortchange ourselves, and all relationships in our family and community.

Contempt for ‘the Science,’ Nancy Pelosi Edition

On April 14, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued new guidance for Americans who’ve grabbed their jabs. It’s safe, CDC says, for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to “resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing.”

Outdoors. Indoors. Whether everyone present is vaccinated or not. Vaccinated? You’re good to go.

That, presumably, is the science part. The political part is “except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”

Mental health: awareness and reflections

The events of 2020 were traumatic on a worldwide scale. Our nation faced a global pandemic, social unrest, and a tumultuous election. Doom reading and scrolling became a normal part of our days as we looked to the news or social media to see what was “next.” Things have yet to settle down and return to “normal.” Social distancing, masks, and restrictions on everything from dining out to religious services and cultural events reshaped how we interact with each other, our community, and our world.

The 67th Montana Legislature: historic and successful

Montana voters spoke clearly last November. They elected Republicans up and down the ticket, giving legislative Republicans a clear mandate to make good on our campaign promises of protecting the Montana way of life, improving economic opportunities, protecting Montanans’ rights, and preventing government overreach.