Editorials

GUEST EDITORIAL: Roger Goodell draws up some pretty nasty plays

Published on Fri, 04/29/2016 - 3:00pm

In his bizarre quest to destroy the reputation of the NFL’s premier quarterback, Commissioner Roger Goodell has drawn up some pretty nasty plays. He transformed Tom Brady’s “general knowledge” of a possible scheme to deflate footballs in a single game into Brady’s active participation in a nefarious scheme — which he then compared to the use of illegal steroids. He imposed an unprecedented punishment for actions he couldn’t prove, and as the biased arbitrator didn’t give an inch when Brady appealed.

GUEST EDITORIAL: Even if grizzlies delisted, many protections would remain

Published on Thu, 04/28/2016 - 3:25pm

One of the sad consequences of the westward settlement of the United States was the near eradication of the grizzly bear. Once an iconic symbol of the American wild, the hulking brown bears were hunted, trapped and deemed fearsome, dangerous predators. In California, they were exterminated completely, remaining only as an image on the state flag and seal.

GUEST EDITORIAL: Kids might gripe at first, but healthy school lunches are best

Published on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 4:45pm

When the U.S. Department of Agriculture handed down stricter standards for school lunches, many feared kids would resist the change, that they might turn up their noses at the healthier food choices and instead come to school with sugary treats and potato chips.

The new standards took effect when students started classes the previous school year. And sadly, there was some of that. Our story about school-lunch changes received several negative comments from readers.

GUEST EDITORIAL: Corps’ action is a cheap bit of extortion

Published on Tue, 04/26/2016 - 3:28pm

The problem with the American regulatory state is that the regulators have established rules designed to force the compliance of the regulated and to deprive them of due process in an impartial court.

A case heard last month by the U.S. Supreme Court hopefully will build on earlier decisions that make it easier for property owners to challenge agency decisions in federal court.

OTHER VIEWS: Trump, Cruz peddle big myths on Affordable Care Act

Published on Mon, 04/25/2016 - 2:18pm

“Disaster.” ‘’Incredible economic burden.” ‘’The biggest job-killer in this country.”

Central to the presidential campaigns of Donald Trump and Ted Cruz has been the claim that the Affordable Care Act has been a complete failure, and that the only way to save the country from this scourge is to replace it with something they design.

Do wolves with mange get cold? Your tax dollars at work

Published on Fri, 04/15/2016 - 3:00pm

So the government recently came up with three new ways to spend your money. They involve wolves with bad hair, an advertising campaign to vilify farmers and yet another scheme to loan money to people with bad credit.

These things are so silly, so preposterous, they should be funny. And they would be, if it weren’t your money they were spending. It seems appropriate, given it is tax season, to make note of them.

EDITORIAL: Local thumbs up and thumbs down

Published on Wed, 03/16/2016 - 3:20pm
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It’s time for a few thumbs up and thumbs down on some local and area happenings. Mostly thumbs up, we promise.

• Thumbs up to the Montana Department of Transportation for lowering the speed limit in front of Livingston HealthCare from 70 mph to 55 mph. We would like to see it go even a bit lower, but 55 is way better than 70, and will go a long way toward increasing safety for folks pulling in and out of the hospital east of town.

A city manager should live in the city

Published on Fri, 03/11/2016 - 2:55pm

A city ordinance requiring Livingston’s city manager to live within the town’s limits should not be amended to accommodate a Californian interested in moving to the area and building a house in Paradise Valley.

The City Commission discussed the issue during last week’s work session, and the topic will likely resurface during subsequent discussions about filling the vacant city manager seat.

Teslow grain elevator, Part II

Published on Thu, 03/10/2016 - 2:46pm
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Back in January, this editorial space covered the topic of the Teslow grain elevator, saying it looked like the time had come to say goodbye to the local icon that has long stood as a sentinel over the city.

Among reasons cited for this were wind damage to the building and what seemed like an impossible task of coming up with funds in time to save the nearly 110-year-old structure from demolition. Livingston developer Chris Salacinski, who acquired the grain elevator, was at the time beginning to take it down.

‘Mountain Jesus’ case finally over

Published on Fri, 03/04/2016 - 3:11pm

After four years of litigation, the “Mountain Jesus” statue at the Whitefish Mountain Resort will stay where it is.

A quick background: Back in the 1950s, the Knights of Columbus erected the statue is memory of World War II veterans. In 2012, a group of atheists and agnostics, Freedom From Religion Foundation, sued the U.S. Forest Service to remove the statue, saying it violated the constitutional separation of church and state.