Animal and Food Regulations

by Sen. Greg Hinkle

In the Aug. 8 issue of USA Today, the article titled, "USDA Plans to Require ID for Interstate Livestock" starts out: "Federal officials looking to head off livestock disease outbreaks are drafting regulations that would require farmers to identify animals that move across state lines." The article goes on to say, "The aim is to reduce illness and deaths by making it easier for officials to trace brucellosis, tuberculosis and other diseases to a particular group of animals, location and time".

Whoa! The thought just occurred to me; I wonder if these same officials are drafting regulations requiring the USFWS to track diseased wolves (or deer and elk for that matter) crossing state lines? In the same vein, it does not appear that there is the same concern for diseases brought across our southern border by illegal aliens. These regulations are being drafted after the USDA dropped a very unpopular program known as the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). It appears these new regulations are just another approach to implementing NAIS.

We asked Rehberg to help, and he did nothing

by Jim Brown

As a legal matter, the Montana Wool Growers Association (MWGA) is not surprised by Judge Donald Molloy decision to reinstate Endangered Species Act (ESA) protection to the Northern Rocky Mountain Gray Wolf population.

by Pat Williams

The 10-year-old boy was selling newspapers outside the newly constructed, luxurious Finlen Hotel in Butte, Montana. His torn jeans and ill-fitting shirt reflected life in the mining city: grit, scruffiness, determination and the promises of tomorrow. No one passed without hearing the boy’s insistent shout, “Hey, paper here – get your newspaper here.”

by C.J. Hadley

Emotions are running high on both sides of the immigration issue and Arizona’s attempts to legislate the flow of human traffic. Unfortunately, the mainstream media is missing the real story behind the controversial law and the murder in late March of Arizona rancher Rob Krentz.

Krentz was patrolling his land on an ATV near the Mexican border when he was gunned down by an alleged drug runner, who disappeared into the desert. Krentz had managed to radio for help, which triggered a massive search. He was discovered by a helicopter pilot who sighted the lights on his ATV. It was too late for the respected rancher.


Caption: Rob Krentz was killed in late March on his Arizona ranch by an alleged drug runner.

by Martin Kidston

Denny Rehberg voted Thursday against a bill to aid firefighters sickened during the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Less than a month after filing a lawsuit against firefighters in Billings, Rehberg voted to deny aid to emergency workers sickened by World Trade Center dust after 9/11 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll491.xml).

by Ellen Simpson

The term “public interest” is tossed around a lot and we should think about what it means. Groups sue to stop the construction of a generating plant, transmission line, highway project, or a timber sale and say that the lawsuit is being brought because of “public interest”.

This greatly bothers me because I have not asked anyone to represent me in stopping projects meant to improve the quality of life in Montana, provide jobs, and manage forests. As a member of the public with an interest in promoting not hindering activities, I object to some group saying it is operating on my behalf. These people do not represent me or my best interest.

by Pat Williams

During the early 1950s, the nation, our state, and my hometown of Butte, Montana, were suffering through a year-long economic recession. My parents owned restaurants in Butte and business was hurting, as it was for almost everyone.

Not yet a teenager, I remember my Dad convincing Mom that, “Come spring we should put a new front on the building.” She objected saying the times were too difficult, customers were not walking through the doors, and the restaurant’s rainy-day fund was already being tapped.

by Ellen Simpson

One of the more annoying things we experience in life is being subjected to opinions of individuals who stray from their areas of expertise and wander into places to prattle on with a complete lack of knowledge. This nasty scenario keeps cropping up when the topic is the use of woody biomass and whether it is pure enough to be considered a renewable resource.

The uses for wood in whatever form are so many and varied it has been said that if wood did not exist, someone would try to invent it. Outside the uses everyone should know about, including building materials for construction and paper products like those used in every home and office on a daily basis by all Americans, wood has long been used for fuel.

by Matthew Koehler

If the goal of Senator Tester's New Forest Jobs and Recreation Act Draft is protecting some Wilderness in Montana and getting some restoration and fuel reduction work accomplished, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee's draft, while not perfect, is a step in the right direction and superior to both Senator Tester's original bill and his new proposal.

As we move forward, let's hope Senator Tester and the collaborators give the ENR Committee's draft significantly more consideration than just proclaiming it "Dead On Arrival."

by Michael Hashisaki

Conservative Republicans have an historic opportunity this year. We can reclaim a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, make huge inroads in the U.S. Senate and win numerous seats in the Montana Legislature. The stakes are simply too high for us to fail.