Topic
Opinion
The Opinion section of Western Montana News is where ideas take center stage. Featuring editorials, columns, op-eds, and letters, this space highlights diverse perspectives on local and national issues. From in-depth analysis to passionate viewpoints, we encourage open and thoughtful discussion.
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The Red Challenge Flag Has Been Thrown
Stealing from college and professional football, a figurative red challenge flag has been thrown down to challenge American Christian churches, and, to me, that includes all American Christian churches from the southernmost point in South America, Cape Horn, to the northernmost point in North America, Cape Columbia. Western civilization was founded on the Judeo-Christian values…
Military Readiness—Seen Thru the Lens of Army Aviation
I spent a career in the US Army’s Aviation branch with many fond memories of flying helicopters all over the world. I also have tough memories of losing crewmembers, which is inevitable when spending two decades in a specialty where people are paid extra because of the danger that comes with the job. After I…
A Stranger in a Strange Land
I was born in the first year of the Baby Boomer Generation. My contemporaries started popping out of the womb around May 1946, nine months after the end of World War II. Marxism, socialism, and communism in the American government were un-recognized and confined to the left-overs from the Roosevelt administration. However, we now know…
Eyewitness: Montana’s Transurrection
This report was originally published in Darin Gaub’s Substack. Whenever a veteran recounts a war story from their military days they often start with the phrase, “So there I was.” Though I am retired from the military and back home in Montana there are still times when I feel the need to start a story…
Truth
You have heard it said by now that we should each ‘speak our own truth’ and ‘speak truth to power.’ Very few people can tell you what that means because there is a lack of understanding of truth across much of America today. We as individuals are not the arbiters about what is and is…
Did Kalispell Public Schools Board and Employees Violate Montana Code of Ethics?
This op-ed was originally published at Casey Whalen’s Substack. A recent exposé of emails and text messages show that the upcoming May 2nd Kalispell Public School Board Trustee election has been corrupted by possible violations of the Montana Code of Ethics for public employees. The communications show school district officials and the teachers union President…
Montana: The New State of Censorship
This op-ed was originally published at Poor Roger’s Almanac. For years, I have tried to make my actions consistent with what I believe to be true. Sometimes this has required a course change, occasionally abrupt. There have been times in which I have had to eat my words. I have also tried to encourage others…
God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life
If you have ever been in church circles or hung out with people of faith long enough you have probably heard the phrase, “God has a wonderful plan for your life.” Last week, I authored an article titled The Romans Road, and in it showed how God’s plan for salvation is laid out in the…
The Romans Road
The Romans were good at a lot of things. While touring Europe, I was able to see much of the work they left behind that sometimes looks in better condition than the roads in my hometown of Helena, Montana. But there is a far more important road that winds through the biblical book of Romans.…
The Other Side of the Montana Constitution
For some time now I’ve watched the popular efforts of Montanans to improve their state constitution, and the anguished opposition by figures in Montana’s former political establishment. The response amounts to a sanctimonious “How dare they?” One example: Former Governor Marc Racicot’s Feb. 1 capitol speech, in which he equated reform efforts with attacks on…
What is the Problem with the GOP?
The once Grand Old Party has a major self-inflicted wound. As an institution, it is failing its constituency miserably. A recent Monmouth University poll demonstrates that 61% of the GOP’s Republican voters do not believe the 2020 Presidential election was a valid, fraud-free election. Yet the Republican Party political machine keeps insisting that election was…
No More Nuclear Sponges
Growing up in Montana during the Cold War, I often found myself under a school desk as we went through frequent nuclear fallout drills. Montana is a state known as being a part of the “nuclear sponge,” where it is universally known that Russia targets our nuclear missile facilities, and we would absorb any large-scale…
Former Missoula Councilor Vindicated After “Sleepy Inn” Pandemic Boondoggle
From the Missoula Current in 2020, “Council member Jesse Ramos led the opposition [to the purchase of the Sleepy Inn Motel] by disputing the recommendations of trained health officials, saying the shelter wasn’t necessary, was too expensive, and the pandemic would soon pass. At the end of the night, he tipped his hat to his…
Montana GOP Doubles Down on Blocking New Delegates to State Convention
A spark has been lit and a fire is kindling. Yes, a fire! Why a fire? Because, should it continue, it could consume an entire state political party, or at least those within said party, that are desperately clinging to power. The party I speak of is the Republican Party here in Montana. The first…
The Light at the End of the Tunnel is Not In Hoping for Better Government and Politicians
I have an admission to make. I hate political parties and serve as the County Chairman for the Republican Central Committee where I live. I also tend to avoid politicians and lobbyists, and now work at the Montana State Capitol on a frequent basis—as a lobbyist surrounded by politicians. No doubt you are asking why…
Ravalli County Republicans Buck State GOP, Schedule Convention
On July 16th, 2022, the Montana GOP issued a new rule to all county central committees. This rule moved all county central committee conventions dates to August 1st through November 1st, well after the state GOP convention scheduled for June 9th. Traditionally, local county central committee’s hold their own conventions prior to the state convention…
Hope
Forced mask and vax mandates, centralization of digital currencies, sexualization and grooming of children, wars and rumors of wars, train derailments, food processing plant fires, selling our national sovereignty to the World Health and other globalist organizations, food-water-energy security under attack, faith and patriotism in the cross hairs, and so much more. We are surrounded…
One Red Balloon
Ninety-nine red balloons Floating in the summer sky Panic bells, it’s red alert! There’s something here from somewhere else! The war machine springs to life Opens up one eager eye Focusing it on the sky When ninety-nine red balloons go by Nena, “99 Luftballoons” By now most people in America know that China launched a…