Local television news presents biased and unbalanced reporting regarding the export of coal from eastern Montana and Wyoming. Coal is to be transported by train to the west coast to proposed re-developed ports in the Pacific Northwest, wherefrom it will be shipped on to Asian ports.

The Billings Chamber of Commerce freely presents its own view of this process, wildly exaggerating the number of jobs and the monetary boost they anticipate to the local economy. The number of anticipated coal trains blocking traffic and spreading coal dust in Billings and other Montana cities is understated, and there is little or no mention at all of the environmental impacts to our planet involved in mining, transporting, exporting and burning the huge amount of coal.

Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council, a part of Northern Plains, could have been interviewed for balance of television news, and they would have presented a less narrow and provincial view. YVCC has put a great deal of work into this issue.

While one might expect this kind of bias from county commissioners; such brazen bias is disappointing from so-called television “news.” Sounds just like Slab Marble. And perhaps Lee Enterprises.

Joan Hurdle

Continue reading: Biased news coverage

Since we’re talking about civil rights – we are, aren’t we? – let’s talk about “front loaded” commercial loans ... like your car and your house. How long before you own any part of what you buy?

The guy says you’re “upside down” on your vehicle. You’ve been making payments, but you have less than zero equity. You’ve been paying mostly interest. The same with your house.

The money guys get 80 percent of your house payment and you get $2 — TRUE!

There’s no equity (real value) in the housing market because the money guys took it all, and traded it all over the world. Who wouldn’t want a piece of that deal? Your $2 doesn’t count for much.

Maybe we can work out a fair and equitable trading agreement with American lenders. Let us spend some money and own a fair share of what we buy. Where is consumer protection?

Continue reading: We’ll be OK

Sometimes the Billings Outpost has some good articles. Although there have been several articles written comparing the decline of the USA to the decline of the Roman Empire, Shari Pyke wrote a timely piece [Sept 16].

Also T.J. Gilles’ story about the newspapers’ demise [Nov. 7] caught me off guard — “The People’s Voice” — I didn’t think anyone had ever heard of that particular paper. My father read that paper faithfully along with The U.S. Farm News from Iowa.

Of course, the only reason I pick up the Outpost is because of [Roger] Clawson, maybe [David] Crisp or [Wilbur] Wood. We do not get TV reception and out dial-up internet only works sporadically. As for the events in town, I never cared much for the long drive there and the cost of gasoline.

The other reason I like the paper is sometimes I see my name in print in the Letters to the Editor section. Thank you.

Continue reading: Outpost OK

What has gone wrong with America’s politics?

Campaign ads are replete with lies. An example (from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee): “Denny Rehberg has five times voted himself a raise in pay.”

Any voter who has paid attention for the past decades would know Congress created a budget mechanism that prevents those in Congress from ever voting themselves a raise.

Beyond this, both the D’s and the R’s ads in the Tester vs. Rehberg race were bitterly personal and often not true. Tactics of Obama and Bullock were outright bullying. We have had enough of that with Schweitzer.

Perhaps the clearinghouse against such trash in the newspapers and on TV should rest with the media. The media are those who reaped the cash benefits and impugned the integrity and intelligence of the electorate.

Continue reading: Politics gone bad

“In this season of thanks and giving and love, let’s remember those whose presence is missed, love those who are still among us, and be thankful for happy memories past, present and future.” It is in this spirit that more than 100 people attended the RiverStone Health Hospice Tree of Lights celebration on Dec. 4 on RiverStone Health’s campus. And it is in this spirit that hundreds of people from our community and all over the country have donated and continue to donate in support of RiverStone Health Hospice’s compassionate care.

As the community’s first and only accredited Hospice program, RiverStone Health Hospice Services does not turn anyone away because of an inability to pay. Patient-centered care is provided to anyone who needs it, within an individual’s home, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities or in two of RSHHS’ inpatient community-based homes. Last year alone RSHHS served 409 patients, 70 of whom received financial assistance through RiverStone Health’s sliding fee discounts. While RSHHS receives funding from several sources (Medicare, Medicaid, third party insurance, and fees paid by patients), donations are critical to meet the continued need for high quality end-of-life care.

Thank you to each and every person who continues to support RiverStone Health Hospice. Your gifts mean a great deal to our patients, their families, friends and caregivers.

Tree of Lights Committee

RiverStone Health Foundation