Opinion

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Opinion: For MSU Billings, the day of reckoning has come

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MSUB Main Hall

The impending departure of Montana State University Billings Chancellor Mark Nook to become the president of the University of Northern Iowa raises the question of whether Montana and Billings are really invested in the future and success of MSU Billings. In the past decade, MSUB has had four chancellors, four provosts and four deans of the College of Business. It also saw the departure of a long-time director of libraries. The MSU Billings Foundation has its third president in three years. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Opinion, City College, Clayton Christian, Mark Nook, MSU Billings, MSU Billings Foundation, Waded Cruzado, Yellowstone Hall

Only thing worse than Obamacare is … what?

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DC

The most important issue before Montana legislators this session isn’t really even on the agenda. And it’s not their fault.

The fate of health insurance for millions of Americans, and for tens of thousands of Montanans, rests in the hands of a Congress dominated by Republicans, who have vowed to repeal the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, as one of their first items of business when Donald Trump takes over as president. The GOP also has vowed to replace Obamacare, but that could take years. In the meantime, uncertainty could damage or even destroy insurance companies, and millions of people could lose insurance. This has left Montana lawmakers in a quandary. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Opinion, Affordable Care Act, Austin Knudsen, Obamacare, Scott Sales, Steve Bullock

It’s all right, Ma, it’s only snowing

By: |
DC

It’s not really a Montana Christmas until you have spent part of it on hands and knees in snow and mud, trying to pry something or other loose from the cold claws of winter. I knew the holidays had arrived in full when I found myself on Tuesday kneeling on a  sidewalk in downtown Livingston, trying to extract a hat that a 65 mph gust had blown from my head into a perfectly inaccessible spot under a parked car. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Opinion, Bob Dylan, Herman Hesse, Herta Müller, Patrick White

Montana Viewpoint: Thoughts for the coming Legislature

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Jim

The Montana Legislature will convene in a few days to conduct the business of the citizens of Montana. Legislators have some serious work to do, little time to do it, and less time to think about how their actions will affect their employers. Here are some issues they might want to think about as they begin the session: (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Opinion, infrastructure, Montana Legislature, Obamacare

A stroll through the state of Montana blogging, 2016

By: |
DC

When I started the Billings Blog back in 2003, it seemed cutting edge. It was the first Montana blog started by someone who was actually trying to make a living as a journalist. For a while, it appeared that citizen-run blogs might be where the news would go, the independent, nonprofessional alternative to the ailing corporate behemoth. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Opinion, Big Sky Words, Intelligent Discontent, Montana Cowgirl

Opinion: No ‘perfect’ time to leave an abusive partner

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BW

Names and biographical information have been changed to protect client confidentiality. The smell of gingerbread and sugar icing filled the air when Madison came to our office that December. Her three daughters bounced around as they helped the staff eat the treats they’d brought while Madison talked with an advocate. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Opinion, Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, Domestic violence, holidays

Zinke’s mixed, or mixed up, record on environment

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DC

To say that Ryan Zinke has a mixed record on the environment may sound like saying that pouring a shot of tequila into a gallon of orange juice makes a mixed drink. U.S. Rep. Zinke, R-Mont., is the apparent nominee to serve as secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. His confused record on public lands, climate change and America’s energy future is drawing predictable outcries, but he may turn out to be the most environmentally sensitive member of President Trump’s cabinet. True, that’s in part because Trump is filling top jobs with people who tread around the environment like a fresh cow patty. The secretary of state nominee has spent his career with a company that funded climate skepticism. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Opinion, League of Conservation Voters, Northern Plains Resources Council, Ryan Zinke, Steve Daines

Montana Viewpoint: Bad roads and bad guys

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Jim

What do bad roads and bad guys have in common? They are both results of America’s inability to fund preventive measures that would not only improve the country but also cost less than the current system of waiting to fix a problem, be it physical or social, until it has gone completely gunnybags. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Opinion, American Society of Civil Engineers, Department of Corrections, Seychelles

Richard Spencer messes with Texas, Montana

By: |
DC

Richard Spencer is stirring up trouble in both my native and adopted states. Spencer, who created the term alt-right, is a resident of Whitefish. On Tuesday, he gave a speech in the Texas town where I used to live, at the university where I both taught and studied. Spencer has been spouting the virtues of the white race for years, but last month he gained a dubious national reputation for shouting “Hail Trump” at a conference in Washington, drawing Nazi-like salutes from his white supremacist fans. Even for many hardcore racists, invoking Hitler was going too far. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Opinion, Donald Trump, Montana State University Billings, Richard Spencer, Whitefish

Opinion: Mayor Hanel owes millennials an apology

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Clark

Dear Mayor Tom Hanel,

I am writing to you to express my concern regarding a comment you made during the Nov. 21 Billings City Council meeting. Your statement, “If millennials want to move because Billings is boring, I’ll sell their home for them,” is disappointing at best. You, as the mayor, are the figurehead and vocal proponent of our great city. With that title comes great responsibility. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Opinion, Bozeman, millennials, Missoula, Tom Hanel