Thinking clearly about gun policy isn’t easy. It’s a highly complex subject with heavy emotional baggage. These are ingredients for error and acrimony. And in the case of guns, often strong condemnation of those supporting private ownership of guns. Susan Vass, aka, Ammo Grrrll, or AG, is a columnist I enjoy and respect. Her “Thoughts […]
Read MoreI hope you enjoy the current issue of the Gallatin History Quarterly https://www.gallatinhistorymuseum.org/ Two of the articles came directly from FREE’s programs. These are my “Bozeman Must be a Chicago hotel…” and MSU Professor Jerry Johnson’s account of Grizzly Bear restoration and economic progress in Greater Yellowstone. FREE supported half of the printing costs of this issue. […]
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FREE promotes responsible liberty, sustainable ecology and modest prosperity. Working from Bozeman and a Gallatin Valley ranch for over forty years, we host seminars and conferences for Article III federal judges, academics, and environmental leaders. We give habitat tours on the ranch and cooperate with other think tanks. They include the Acton Institute in Grand […]
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Giving Thanks for Kindness Thanksgiving Day is a grand American tradition. It dates from 1621 when native Americans shared food with four dozen Pilgrims. It’s likely these gifts saved the Pilgrims from winter starvation. That set a fine precedent for kindness. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to […]
Read MoreA classist explains, “Why They hate Trump” Victor David Hanson is a sixth-generation farmer who earned a Ph D in classics from Stanford University. Farmers converts sunshine into food for humans and other animals. Hanson’s specialty is growing raisin grapes. What about his work in classics? Classics is the study of the early Greco-Roman world. […]
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Help Wanted signs are now even more common than No Hunting Signs. This has positive implications for people who want to hunt our place. We don’t charge dollars to hunt here, say $125 per person for deer and $500 to hunt elk. Instead, we trade hunting rights for work on our recreation land and waters. […]
Read MoreThe Gallatin Valley’s physical and ecological character is substantially defined by three mountain ranges. They feed three world renowned trout streams, the Gallatin, Jefferson and Madison rivers. Hundreds of miles of Irrigation canals built a century or more ago gave birth to and annually recharge a great many spring creeks, marshes, and quiescent waters teaming […]
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I am pleased to be working with The Goodman Institute as a contributing author, here is a link to my first piece http://www.libertyandecology.org/protecting-our-natural-surroundings/. The Goodman Institute was founded by economist John Goodman, Ph. D. His new blog, http://www.libertyandecology.org and his pioneering work in health economics and entitlements. His new blog fosters appreciation and protection of the environment using the […]
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Losing a Wallet in a Culture of Trust Last week I dropped my wallet while walking out of the Frugal Frame Shop on Bozeman’s West Main Street. Two young people were outside, one on a lift. They were putting up a new sign just above the entrance door. I said “Hi”, when walking in. “Nice […]
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Wholesome Communities and Happy Lives Three social factors help adults achieve wholesome, productive, happy lives. These are (1) living in a culturally compatible setting, (2) having meaningful employment (or earned savings) with adequate pay for modest and healthy living while (3) unthreatened by roving or stationary bandits.* These three qualities are necessary but not sufficient […]
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