Poverty is the worst form of violence; this is from the pacifist philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. The U.N. estimates that to avoid famine some 13 million of the poorest of the poor in countries across southern Africa will soon need 1.2 million tons of food aid. Drought, corruption, dysfunctional political institutions, and war are contributing […]
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A question for the reader: Does the development of land inherently degrade our shared social and environmental values? If you answer yes, I would agree that it typically does. But, does it have to? I believe not. It is possible to harness development as a tool to serve and protect those same values. This question […]
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At our ski hill I recently overheard one of my friends, Duke Brown, tell a refugee couple from Denver that “this is the perfect place to live.” Mr. Brown holds a good position, lives the good life, skis, mountain bikes, and guides fly-fishing clients. My friend is an excellent ambassador-in-residence. I’m glad he is here […]
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The latest round of international talks on global warming recently took place in India. Developing countries refused to agree to restrictions on their greenhouse gas emissions. They were more interested in adapting to climate change than cutting emissions. I think this is good news. In July, the Foundation for Research on Economics and the Environment […]
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The Kalispell Daily Inter Lake lamented the closing of the Stimson mill in Libby: “When the centerpiece of Montana’s timber basket loses its last mill, industry watchers say the impacts will be profound.” It tells us even Montana’s best timberland can’t compete with the Southeast and Pacific Northwest. The laws of silviculture dictate that trees […]
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“The first essential component of social justice is adequate food,” said Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug. He received the 1970 Peace Prize for improving agricultural productivity. His “Green Revolution” saved literally hundreds of millions from famine. The world’s population is expected to grow from today’s 6 billion to about 8 billion by 2030. It’s expected to […]
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Here’s a book describing 20,000+ hippies, New Agers, and camp followers descending on an isolated rural community. Imagine a conservative federal district judge conducting a “jury view” of the site to settle conflicts between state public health rules and First Amendment constitutional rights to peacefully assemble in a national forest. “Judge Dave and the Rainbow […]
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When I was in college, average income in Montana ranked in the top 10 of American states. Now we’re in the bottom 10, along with Mississippi and Arkansas. The reasons are clear. Our once prosperous basic industries–ag, forestry, and mining–are, and have been, in hard times. This is most unlikely to change. That’s the reality. […]
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Economics is ubiquitous, pervasive, and didactic. Baseball, nearly so. While the sport is a form of entertainment, and a religious experience to some, it can teach us a good bit about the economic process. In the mid-20th century America had parallel baseball leagues, the white American and National leagues, and the Negro American and National […]
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The sorry Enron saga reminds us of an important, persistent truth. Unless those at the top are relentlessly vigilant and honorable, large organizations will find compelling reasons to lie, hide facts, and violate ethical standards. When the stakes are high there is a temptation toward dishonesty and irresponsibility. In the process, innocent people are hurt, […]
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