Opinion
By now, most of us have learned of the shocking recordings of Tim Sheehy at Montana campaign events talking about “bonding with all the Indians while they’re drunk at 8 a.m.,” and having “Coors Light cans flying by your head” while riding in the Crow parade. Mr. Sheehy, who grew up in a lakeside mansion in Minnesota, presented those false anecdotes to largely white audiences as representations of Indian people—leaving unmentioned, for example, the growing numbers of tribal members who’ve made their way through school and earned advanced degrees despite obstacles that Mr. Sheehy cannot even imagine. Mr. Sheehy’s ignorant stere...
Editor, Shelly Fyant is running for HD 91 - a large district covering parts of Missoula, Arlee, Dixon, Camas Prairie, Charlo and Ronan. Google HD 91 (Montana). She is very capable of representing all her constituents in these areas due to her diverse background. Shelly was raised on a ranch in Arlee...
“I love working the polls!” a friend told me recently. “It strengthens my trust in the whole process. And it’s fun getting to help eligible voters flex their civic muscles.” I think about my friend’s experience as I hear stories about mistrust in our elections. ...
Editor, “Democracy cannot flourish amid fear. Liberty cannot bloom amid hate. Justice cannot take root amid rage. America must get to work.” (Thurgood Marshall) Here we are again ... in a fragile state as a nation. Worried sick, I always return to my values, instilled by my solid Republican...
Editor, Opponents of the two ballot initiatives to open up Montana’s election system are entitled to prefer the status quo, but it’s sad to see disinformation used in their advocacy. Here are principal claims being used, followed by reality. Claim: Montana already has open primaries. Reality: ...
Editor, I have just returned from Asheville, North Carolina, where my elderly mother lives. For three days after Hurricane Helene all roads in the west of the state were closed due to flooding, damage, debris, landslides, downed bridges, and fallen trees and power lines. Our family was unable to communica...
Editor, If you knew Shirley Azzopardi as I have known her, over the years, you would know her as a person of exceptional character, personal strength, and perseverance. She is, in my opinion, the kind of person we would be lucky to have in the Montana Legislature to represent all of us, even those of us w...
Editor, Shirley Azzopardi, who is running for District 13 in the Montana House of Representatives, has all the qualities I want in a political candidate—integrity, common sense, knowledge and perseverance. Having known Shirley for many years, I have seen her handle complex situations both pers...
For 23 years Robert G. Natelson served as Professor of Law at the University of Montana. Professor Natelson is one of America’s best known constitutional scholars and author, whose constitutional research has been cited repeatedly by justices at the US Supreme Court, federal appeals courts, and a...
Editor, Truth in advertising should apply to these letters. For example last week a Senate District 3 representative decried CI 128 saying its language gives blanket immunity to abortion providers for malpractice, etc. If he would read what he wrote - and was printed, the cited bill clearly does not...