Change We Can Believe In?
48 years ago (!), on January 20, 1961, another newly-elected president said, "Ask not what your country can do for you."
How times have changed!
Unfortunately, there seems to be a huge group of citizens and voters who are asking precisely, "What can our government do for us??" And I didn't hear much in President Obama's eloquent speech to refute it.
[more]
Buffalo rally in Helena : Success of a small action inside a big problemOn January 5, 2009, I was a participant in a march on behalf of the wild buffalo population in Yellowstone National Park, animals who have been denied year round habitat in the state of Montana. The action, sponsored by Buffalo Field Campaign and Buffalo Allies of Bozeman, was in Helena and was targeted at the swearing in of the state legislature and Gov. Brian Schweitzer, under whose watch the greatest wild buffalo slaughter since the 19th century has happened. It was in support of the Montana Wild Buffalo Recovery & Conservation Act of 2009, which calls for shifting management of wild bison from the Montana Department of Livestock to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks so that bison are managed as wild bison instead of as animals in need of disease control. During the action, about 15 activists from West Yellowstone, Bozeman, Missoula, and Helena were able to get inside the capitol rotunda with signs that read, "Stop the Slaughter" and "Stop the B.S. = Buffalo Slaughter = Brian Schweitzer." Reporters took our pictures, filmed us, and wrote articles about it.
This essay, however, is about the metrics for success of that action. [more]
Insights : the U.S. housing/finance crisisThe most surprising thing about today's housing/finance crisis is that it caught so many millions of Americans by surprise, and leaves so many confused. That was understandable the first time, in the 1980s, when a similar boom of lending and building brought the S&Ls to a collapse. It's less forgiveable now. A few selected quotes can help bring some clarity to the confusion. [more]
New West Real Estate Conference: Past Present & FutureNew West's 2007 Real Estate Conference was based more on realism than boosterism. This year's conference thus has real promise of more of the same. Future conferences could add some key themes as permanent features. [more]
Unfiltered Commentary
Trapping Season Opens in MontanaYou’d have to live under a rock to miss the hoopla surrounding the build-up to hunting season in Montana. This yearly autumn ritual, as visible as the blazing larches, is a seasonal marker for hunters and nonhunters alike. You just can’t miss its bold entrance.
Another season opened in Montana on November 1st, but this one flies under the public radar stealthily, secretly. Furbearer trapping commences on public lands and waterways without fanfare, attracting virtually no notice. How many wildlife-enthusiasts realize that, beginning this day, beaver, otter, muskrat, and mink fall prey to choking snares, crippling foothold traps, and body-crushing Conibear traps? That for some, like beaver, the brutality of the trap ends in subsequent, panicked drowning? [more]
Advertisement
Missoula explosion victim’s dying wishes not honoredOn Sunday evening parmedics rushed to the scene of a severly burnt man who according to the Missoulian article pleaded to just let him die. Instead he was wisked away to die in Seattle. Why were his wishes not heard and honored? [more]
Letter: Impacts of Mass ImmigrationDear Editor:
As an immigrant who used to prepare immigration applications, I wish to respond to your 2/15 article, "Senate Votes to Deny Illegal Aliens Licenses." Although some immigrants are assets, the impact of mass immigration is environmental, fiscal and political: [more]
Next Week: Wildfire, Wilderness and a Party!Don't miss these three events sponsored by the WildWest Institute during the week of December 4th, including the annual Missoula Environmental Group Holiday Party and Silent Auction [more]
Celebrate Montana’s Wildlands This First FridayJoin photographer Nate Shepard and the WildWest Institute at Chocolat next to the Wilma this First Friday, November 3 for a benefit art show. [more]
Forum: “Actualizing Montana’s Restoration Economy”The WildWest Institute's fall 2006 Northern Rockies Nature Forum series continues Tuesday, October 24 with Actualizing Montana's Restoration Economy. [more]
Workshop on Forest Restoration and Fire Hazard Reduction for LandownersThe WildWest Institute and the National Network of Forest Practitioners is hosting an all day Forest Restoration Workshop in DeBorgia on Friday, October 20, 2006. The event is free and open to the public. [more]
Forum: “Visions for a Sustainable Montana”The WildWest Institute's fall 2006 Northern Rockies Nature Forum series continues Tuesday, October 3 with Visions for a Sustainable Montana. [more]
