Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Another Blaine Blackstone column straight from the Trump administration’s government mouthpiece, Fox News. Mueller failed to find sufficient evidence to conclude that the Trump campaign “colluded” with Russia. As stated in the report, Mueller’s failure to find evidence may be due, in part, to President Trump’s obstruction of justice. Mueller lays out 11 examples of obstruction of justice for Congress to decide a course of action (Department of Justice policy is that it will not indict a sitting president). As legal analysts and law professor...
I want to thank The Ledger and John Hamilton for his kind words about my past teaching and coaching. I graciously accept them. The Lord’s been good to me. I am so fortunate to have known so many fine young athletes who loved sports and honest competition. I am also extremely grateful to fellow teachers, friends and especially head coaches, Curt Kegel, Bob Crowder, Chadd Laws and Randy Pirker, who have taken me in as an assistant. I have learned from all of them. Thank you all. Gary Thompson, Thompson Falls...
Recently, area schools have began implementing active shooter and lock down drills. The buzz around town has been interesting to listen to. Some take the stance that the drills are traumatizing students and scaring them. In contrast, some feel the drills are necessary to prepare a student in the event the unfortunate situation does occur. Regardless of what side of the fence you are on (or just riding the rail), school shootings are a modern-day reality. They are happening and there is no foreseeable solution to the problem. So, what do we do?...
The Mueller investigation has been completed and his report submitted. By now, most Americans are aware of the outcome. In my opinion, it’s time for everyone to move on and build on all that President Trump has accomplished since his inauguration. However, it appears that the Democrats in Washington have no intention of letting this issue die. They didn’t get the outcome they were hoping for and they intend to keep pushing. I consider that wasted effort and a disservice to this country. Mueller...
Dear Editor, I have found the column by Blaine Blackstone to be rather refreshing. I especially liked his views on the Hypocrites that have “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” While he happened to mention a few Democrats, he should have gone further. Most of Hollywood has this same disease. I mention disease because it has to be catching. Many college professors, school administrators and leaders of foreign countries also have caught the fever. But what started this sickness that is focused on one man? Could it have been the secret society of “ba...
The hustle and bustle of the big city isn't that appealing to most people who live in rural Montana, including us. Last weekend, we got a little taste of that when we tried to cover all of the events happening around Sanders County. There was a quilt show, a fun run to raise funds to help fight childhood hunger, a performance at the Paradise Center, an art show at the Sunflower Gallery and a fundraiser for Project ASCENT at the Elks in Thompson Falls. There was no excuse for boredom and nothing to do last weekend in Sanders County. While we do...
It was January 1991. I was a second term legislator who, for a reason I can’t remember, wanted to take on a leadership role and sought and won the position of running the first meeting of the House Democrats. That was the meeting where we elected our leaders. It was before term limits, at a time when newer legislators were expected to know their place in the pecking order, defer to their seniors and rise through the ranks. Even knowing that, I had nonetheless inserted myself into a minor leaders...
We get a new governor every four years. A new president every four years. The reality is, it's unlikely you or someone you know will ever be governor or president. Those positions, along with our representatives and senators in Washington, D.C., are the most watched, the most scrutinized, and often the most unreachable. The political climate changes constantly, and we know that sometimes it can seem a bit out of control. There are ways you can make a difference, and it doesn't mean running for state or national office. Getting involved in...
I read an article a couple weeks ago about an “Active Shooter” training scenario that was conducted at an elementary school in Indiana. During that training, some of the teachers were actually shot with air soft projectiles used in the training and complained about it after the exercise. Apparently, it hurt too much. I’ve been shot with those things and they do sting. However, they absolutely add a level of realism to the training … that’s why we used them! I’ve conducted that sort of training...
Just a reminder to community members that there will be two major visual arts events held in Thompson Falls on Saturday, April 13. The Flat Iron Quilting Guild has its annual show at the High School. The show opens at 9:30 a.m. The Sunflower Gallery artisans will have their Open House on Saturday and will also be hosting the “Monday Painting Class: art show and reception at 10-5 p.m. Door prizes are to be given and light refreshments will be available at both shows. Our local artists have been busy working on their projects this winter. Make S...
The days are getting longer, and we sure are happy about that. Last month we lost an hour of sleep (or so the legend goes) as daylight saving time came. Part of the reason the U.S. joined other countries in using daylight saving time was to save energy, adding that extra hour of daylight in the evening. We'd like to argue that with all the technology plugged in around us these days — computers, cellphones, televisions, microwaves and other appliances — keeping the lights on a little longer probably won't make that much of a difference in our...
Mr. Blackstone: Please, please STOP IT! Enough is enough! To imply Mr. Trump’s constant lying, name-calling, bullying, and history of infidelity is OK because some Democrats have been accused of/guilty of similar misdeeds is unbelievable (Remember Bill Clinton was impeached). Your backwards reasoning reminds me of my brother when he was 5, “But Mom, Jimmy did it first! Mikey lied too.” Weren’t we all supposed to grow-up somewhere along the way? We should all be proud of the Democratic-led Congress for acknowledging the need for an Anti-Ha...
Dear Editor, The article in the March 28th edition about legislative action titled “Bill Aims to Prohibit Union Coercion” is a deception, a wolf in a sheep’s hide and another stab in the back to “Middle America” by government that is being bought and paid for by the “filthy rich.” Whether you work union or non-union, are in business or work independently, every person on this planet working to become self sufficient and independent has a responsibility to thank those who came before us who worked and died for the right to “Collectively Bargain...
I was thinking this morning of the shrill sounds, threats and recriminations coming out of our nation’s capital. For some reason, perhaps because of the contrast, it reminded me of a meeting that occurred outside of Dillon, Montana, in 2007. It was the first meeting of the newly formed Interim Water Policy Committee of the Montana Legislature (An interim committee meets between the sessions of the Legislature and is made up of equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats from both the Senate a...
The dreaded tax season. We're down to the last few weeks where everyone is scrambling to remember where they put their W2s and bank statements, and making sure you track every deduction. Often times, stores will have sales encouraging you to spend your tax refund with them. Car dealerships, big-box stores or those dream vacations. We can think of some great ways to spend your tax refund locally. Help local businesses while taking advantage of experiences in your hometown. For instance, have you tried a Cheers to Painting class in Thompson...
I wasn’t sure what I was going to write about this week and then, voila, the Mueller Report was released. Problem solved! It’s been down right entertaining watching the Democrats scramble once they received the news President Trump had been exonerated. They are not happy. In my last column, I talked briefly about “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” It’s a real thing and that fact was certainly evident this weekend. The Democrat Party response to the Mueller Report is disappointing but not at all su...
Recently The Ledger asked local citizens whether Montana troops should be sent to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border. Of the six replies, all supported the possibility. Two spun off into support for The Wall, one into sympathy for President Trump. That same week I received an anonymous e-mail supporting a wall as a cure for immigration problems, as proved by God’s directive to the Hebrews to build a wall around Jerusalem some 3,000 years ago. It’s obvious that this Southwest issue, particularly The Wall, is on everyone’s mind, even up here in Monta...
Spring has sprung in western Montana…finally. The warmer temperatures and long-awaited sunshine have boosted energy levels in all of us Northerners. We have been given the go ahead to get outdoors. The increase of outside activates such as going for a walk, bike ride, running or just hanging out with friends is a welcomed affair. As we spend the next several months enjoying ourselves, it is important for everyone to be aware. What we mean by aware is that drivers take extra notice of construction workers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, runners, p...
I am writing this on St. Patrick’s Day, the celebration of Irish culture enjoyed by all Americans no matter what their ethnic heritage. This is worth thinking about because when the Irish came to America they were vilified, just as are millions of Hispanic immigrants today. The Irish even entered America legally. They couldn’t much help it, there were no national immigration laws until the 1880s when legislation was passed limiting the number of Chinese who could come here. Individual sta...
Dear Ledger and this wonderful community I feel fortunate to live in: I’m inspired with great emotions beside awesome appreciation living in the northwest corner of Montana. This time of the year is inspirational, simpatico, exploding with newly perpetual life all around us. The beautiful contrast, white snow upon the darker rocks, boulders and stately mountains. It is like a tapestry of rich, multi-colored pictorial designs perfectly woven together by "His great hands." The flowing and still waters show darker shadows, darker reflections of d...
A recent resignation on the Noxon School Board precipitated the need for an appointment to finish out the term. Three candidates applied for the position. Full disclosure: I was one of those candidates. While disappointed I wasn’t chosen, I have every confidence the selected candidate will do an excellent job. I found the process to be very fair. The process started by advertising the opening 72 hours after the resignation as outlined by board policy. What perplexes me is why the board chose not to follow these guidelines when selecting a m...
We welcome the signs of spring. The smell of skunks, the first sighting of robins and the bare ground peeking through the snow piles. You can also tell when it’s spring when the roadkill of the winter months starts appearing in the melting snow berms along the road. It’s just a part of living in northwest Montana and the life cycle of local wildlife. This week, however, we noticed another kind of roadkill appearing on Sanders County roads and streets. It’s the ever-present trash we see. Walking into a local school last week, we noticed cans...
March is National Red Cross Month, and there’s no better time to roll up your sleeves, get involved in your community and join our team. Almost every day in Montana, the Red Cross responds to a disaster, many right here in this area. Our Disaster Action Team volunteers are often some of the first on the scene, delivering food, shelter and support to families following a flood or house fire. The Red Cross also collects lifesaving blood and keeps Montana’s hospital shelves stocked. Blood ambassador volunteers welcome our blood donors and mak...
We have a front row seat to the greatest reality show ever! Who needs Survivor or The Bachelor when we’ve got The United States Congress for entertainment? I sometimes watch the news now just to see who got (or is soon to be) voted off the island. It would all be laughable if it wasn’t so pathetic! This past few weeks are a perfect example. The “party of tolerance” (you know…the party that believes anyone who disagrees with them on any given issue is a bigot) had to draft and approve an “anti-...
At the Thompson Falls School Board meeting on Monday, High School Principal Rich Ferris addressed attendance, saying it’s probably the greatest concern at school. “We need to work together as a community to make sure kids are in school,” Ferris said. School officials plan to meet with county officials to see what can be done about students with many absences or truancies, Ferris said, hoping the school can get support from the county. Ferris noted students are designated as chronically absent if they miss 10 percent of the school days in a yea...
