Opinions

Searching and finding no fear

We have a threat to our nation that was here before our COVID-19 pandemic began. It’s our fear of others.

Ain’t none of us can breathe

I’m black, and for years I’ve been saying that if you peel back a layer or two of anything, you find racism.

Mass evictions are the next crisis - we must act now

As COVID-19 continues to ravage the nation, America’s renters face another threat, as critical relief benefits of the CARES Act that have helped them stay in their homes and keep food on the table are set to expire in less than a month. If Congress doesn’t act to renew and strengthen these programs now, it could unleash a catastrophic wave of evictions across the country that would send the unhoused population skyrocketing - further destroying our economy in the process.

‘Defunding’ being used as dirty word

Police in their traditional role will always be necessary, but it’s time to consider options other than the police for the many problems facing society where traditional policing is not needed.

Looking hate in the eye in Whitefish

Here in western Montana it would seem we're a long way from the movement for justice and peace that has gained new thunder since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

PSC leaves a cavalcade of misdeeds in its wake

The words, "Have you no sense of decency?" brought down Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his reign of terror in 1954.

COVID-19 exposes imprudence of age-based school structure

Many K12 schools have been closed for over two months - and people are understandably panicking about students "falling behind." Parents are frantically downloading curricula and buying workbooks off the shelves for homeschooling. District administrators are uncertain which grade levels to place students in this fall.

There are better days ahead

We are at a good place in history, and we are at that good place because we are facing adversity together. It is sad to think that many had to die to spur us to action, but good times don’t seem to move us forward as a people, bad times do.

The world is alive

This spring, even as we all were cooped up, the world seemed to wake up. It happened when I drove to Oregon’s Klamath Basin to witness the incredible abundance of migrating waterfowl that gather in the national wildlife refuges. Ducks were everywhere with pelicans, swans and cranes and, above all, immense flocks of Snow Geese.

Congress plans to steal the coronavirus vaccine

Lawmakers in Washington want to confiscate the patents on coronavirus treatments and vaccines — before biotech companies even finish developing them.