Montana

High court opinion references, among others, Notorious B.I.G.

By: |
Shea

We cannot say for certain, but we are willing to bet that a Montana Supreme Court opinion issued Tuesday was the first one ever to bolster its conclusions by referencing the rapper Notorious B.I.G., the hip-hop group N.W.A. and two popular crime dramas, “The Wire” and “Scarface.” The opinion was written by Justice James Shea in an appeal of a Ravalli County District Court ruling in a case involving methamphetamine possession. The appeal was filed by Bruce Anthony Glass, who was handed a five-year sentence on Nov. 19, 2015. The basis of Glass’s appeal was a claim of double jeopardy. Continue Reading →

CapreAir_Variable
Montana

A postmortem look at the special election results

By: |
Apology

Until just about 24 hours before the polls closed, the race for Montana’s sole congressional seat seemed to be focused on health care, Donald Trump and gun rights. Republican businessman Greg Gianforte appeared to be headed for a victory in the race against another political newcomer, musician and Democrat Rob Quist.

Then came Wednesday night. Continue Reading →

Diversions

A little trust goes a long way in travel-trailer transaction

By: |
Group

I find some discomfort thinking that we understand the words: “You can’t be too careful.” Other protective phrases like “It’s a scam,” “You’ll get screwed,” “A friend of mine was robbed” and “Watch your behind” diminish the values of faith and trust between people. Paranoia, fear and reluctance seem to take over.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Stars shine from around the world when we look. Continue Reading →

Opinion

Montana Viewpoint: The heroes of our state

By: |
Jim

The most memorable speech I ever heard was also the shortest.

It was given in 1989 by former Gov. Ted Schwinden, and the occasion was the 100th anniversary of Montana’s statehood. I was lucky enough or canny enough to be standing behind the speakers on the Capitol steps, and I had come to listen, not to Schwinden, but to former U.S. Sen. Mike Mansfield, who was one of my political heroes. Continue Reading →

Diversions

Recalling the past at Heart Mountain Interpretive Center

By: |
Tower

POWELL, Wyo. — It sprang up almost overnight on arid, sagebrush-covered prairie and became Wyoming’s third-largest city, a community of more than 10,000 Japanese-Americans imprisoned after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Creation of the Heart Mountain Relocation Center, situated on 46,000 acres owned by the Bureau of Reclamation, was a boon to the local construction industry, which built many of the 650 buildings and structures at the camp. Continue Reading →