Category: Law, Government, Politics

I crossed off another item on my North Dakota Bucket List last weekend. With Lillian, her two sisters and her daughter, I hiked to the top of Black Butte, and, at the top, promptly declared, to the amusement of the ladies, that I was the oldest person ever to climb to North Dakota’s second-highest point. … Continue reading Black Butte

The North Dakota Department of Health has called “Bullshit!” on Meridian Energy’s application to construct its Davis Oil Refinery three miles from Theodore Roosevelt National Park. In fact, in a strongly-worded letter to Meridian, Terry O’Clair, Director of the Division of Air Quality, says he has actually stopped the review of the application until Meridian … Continue reading Meridian Refinery Application Is on the Shelf. Where It Belongs.

My wife Lillian and I just did a quick two-day trip on (almost) all 2-lane roads--you can't get out of or into Bismarck without going on a four lane, but our exit and entrance was our only concession to four lanes)--around the northeast quadrant of North Dakota. It was wonderful. That is all I am … Continue reading A Trip Around Northeast North Dakota.

They’ll bury Herb Meschke later this week. I don’t know if it will be in the North Dakota Bad Lands, where he was born and raised, or in Minot, where he spent most of his life. Wherever it is, his presence will enhance the stature of the cemetery. Herb was a cowboy, a lawyer, a … Continue reading Herb Meschke: A Brilliant Mind in a Broken Body

I’ve given some more thought to the issue of Little Missouri River water permits since I last wrote about it on May 3. I reported then that Gov. Doug  Burgum had signed into law an amendment to the Little Missouri State Scenic River Act, making industrial use of Little Missouri water legal for the first … Continue reading Who’s Looking Out for the Little Missouri State Scenic River – Redux

Here's a re-run from a few years ago. Because I can't think of a better story to tell on Mother's Day.   I’m thinking of my mom on this Mother’s Day, as we all are. She’s been gone more than ten years now, but it seems like only yesterday I was making those semi-weekly trips … Continue reading Body and Soul: A Mother’s Day Story

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum may not have been in politics very long, but he has learned the number one rule already: Politics is the art of compromise. To that end, the Governor DID NOT veto the section of North Dakota House Bill 1020, which, now that it is law, legalizes the issuance of industrial … Continue reading No Veto, but No More Industrial Permits, Either–At Least for a While. a Partial Victory for the Little Missouri River.

Dear Governor Burgum, Let me quote from the conservation easement you signed for some ranchland you and your friends own in southwest North Dakota’s Bad Lands six years ago: “The Protected Property possesses agricultural, scenic, and historic, and cultural values. The Protected Property is located in the heart of the only Ponderosa pine forest in … Continue reading An Open Letter to Governor Doug Burgum, on the Occasion of the Greatest Threat Ever to the Little Missouri State Scenic River

There are two or three days left in the Legislative Session. A lot of bad things are going to happen to North Dakota in that short period of time. I've been watching every Legislative Session since 1975, and this one is by far the most irresponsible I've seen. One of the worst things that could happen … Continue reading Act Today to Protect the Little Missouri State Scenic River

Well, yesterday and today I have learned I did not ask enough questions of my doctors about treating gout. Partly my fault--the specialist is a very busy guy, and I dd not think to go back to my family physician and find out about ongoing inexpensive meds to keep the gout at bay once I … Continue reading More About Gout and Canada Drugs