Last Best News (https://montana-mint.com/lastbestnews/tag/mike-mansfield/)
I love talking with a wide range of folks about history and philosophy, government and law, politics and policy. I’m a Democrat, but many of my best discussion-mates are Republican friends who are willing to reasonably, rationally and civilly advance their political thoughts to me as I advance mine to them. (more…) Continue Reading →
This is Part 2 of a two-day package of stories marking the 40th anniversary of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Yesterday we looked at how the wilderness came into being. For Montanans, there’s not much question about the importance of Lee Metcalf’s legacy. (more…) Continue Reading →
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. (more…) Continue Reading →
Marc Johnson doesn’t pretend to know how to fix our broken political system, but he figures a good start would be to encourage people to learn about and reflect on our history. That’s why he recently launched a podcast called “Many Things Considered,” the motto of which is “Looking to politics past to make sense of politics present.” (more…) Continue Reading →
You hate to kick a guy while he’s up, but is anyone else weary of the relentlessly laudatory news stories about former Sen. Max Baucus? After Baucus was nominated and then won confirmation as the new U.S. ambassador to China, it was inevitable that barrels of ink would be spilled to chronicle his 39-year run as a House member and senator. (more…) Continue Reading →
