Opinion
In the early 1980s, while living in China, my wife and I got lost in an unfamiliar city. At the time our Chinese language skills were non-existent, so we couldn’t ask for directions, let alone understand the answers. It was hot and humid, and after four hours of wandering we were tired, hungry and dehydrated. Panic started to set in as we began to realize we lacked the language skills to meet even our most basic needs. Finally we came upon a street vendor selling watermelons. After a quick and silent transaction, the watermelon was in our hands and immediately devoured — the most delicious, rejuvenating watermelon the planet had ever produced. Thirty-five years later, I can s...
Editor, The world is in a mess. I list some examples. See what you think of the solution. Saturday morning on CNN with Michael Smerconishm had a segment based on the review of a book by John Mowhorter. “Woke Racism, How a new religion has betrayed black America.” More racism to ...
Editor, Are we now living in a banana republic? It started with a dubious election last November and a spineless Supreme Court that refused to even look at the evidence of voter fraud that 70 million people believe occurred. For the past nine months we have observed one crisis after another instigated by ...
Editor, Our U.S. Senate Republicans are striking at the heart and core of our democracy through their repetitive assaults on our freedom to vote. Our right and privilege to vote in the United States of America is at the core of our democracy. We count. Every single registered voter provides the bedrock of...
Editor, Montana; tops in COVID, bottom in vaccinations. What a record, mostly because people don’t want to be told what to do. Cost in lives and money because people don’t want to wear a mask or get a shot? Schools are opening and closing, not providing online learning. I have followed the sto...
Art – for millennia every single culture has emphasized channeling precious time and resources to create objects of beauty. Such objects of affection have fulfilled many distinct purposes. Art has been displayed in religious contexts and ceremonies, political and governmental contexts to signify author...
In its most simple form, life is composed of beginnings, middles and endings. Often much of our focus is on the beginning and endings. They are exciting. They are newness and the shredding of the old. They are the adrenaline rush of life. We look forward to our first day on the job. We wait...
We are excited to present, “Meet the Library Apps” hosted by our Technology Librarian Sierra Ross. On Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 3 p.m. come meet Sierra and the library’s collection of websites and apps providing eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more. Sierra will introduce you to seven unique di...
Editor, Senator Steve Daines is holding the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act (BSCA) hostage. The BCSA, a bill introduced by Senator John Tester, intends to strengthen public land protection while ensuring public access to outdoor recreation and the economic advantages to the Montana economy that follo...
Editor, I received a copy of the Valley Journal in the mail dated 0ct. 20, 2021 here in Tucson, Arizona. I was pleasantly surprised with your front page featuring my esteemed friend Jim Manley. Excellent article about a great Montanan and a greater American. Mr. Manley and I go ...
