Tag: Opinion

Range Call reflections

The physical work it takes to clean-up after Meeker’s annual Range Call never changes. The preparations for next year’s Fourth of July festivities begin soon after our Fourth of July extravaganza. Judging from the large number of people in attendance, as well as the positive comments from them as well,[Read More…]

History may not repeat itself. But it rhymes.

Attributed to Mark Twain Friends dropped off a 1971 edition of LIFE magazine last week. Perusing its pages has been alternately comforting and distressing. Most of the headlines and articles could have been reprinted today: “The Four-Day Work Week” and “Our Public Lands Up for Grabs,” for example. And then[Read More…]

Guest Column: Wheels

Americans have an infatuation with WHEELS, even beyond pulling out the TV tray and watching Vanna White and Wheel of Fortune. Motorized, rubber, wood, gears, water, rocket propelled, side by side, even lawn mowers, anything with wheels. We have it in our DNA, the need to make wheels turn ever[Read More…]

Editor’s Column: The ditch

Once upon a time, many moons ago, I was at one of those social activities in the woods with a bonfire and a keg or three. On this particular occasion, the party was attended by a visitor from Oklahoma in one of those late 1970s early 1980s American-made cars big[Read More…]

Loose Ends: Keeping Traditions

Rio Blanco Range Call Days are fast approaching. It is a tradition for most everyone in our community to get involved in some way. It doesn’t matter if you are a long-term resident or recently moved here, everyone’s help is needed. Year after year, an amazing volunteer workforce turns out[Read More…]

Guest Column: Bluestocking

THIS IS THE TIME EACH YEAR TO HAND OUT GRADUATION CARDS AND SAGE ADVICE THAT WILL IGNORED IN GENERAL. I have wondered occasionally what my life would have been like if I had been born earlier. What would have my job been? In my high school, seniors were required to[Read More…]

EDITOR’S COLUMN: VOTE!

We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate. ~UNKNOWN Registered voters should have their mail-in primary ballots in hand now, or be ready to go vote in person on or before Tuesday, June 28. For the last few years (or decades) voting[Read More…]

The Colorado River Compact hasn’t aged well

The Colorado River Compact turns 100 this year, but any celebration is damped down by the drying-up of the big reservoirs it enabled. The Bureau of Reclamation’s “first-ever” shortage declaration on the river acknowledges officially what we’ve known for years: the Compact and all the measures augmenting it, collectively known[Read More…]

Column: Midsommar

Sweden has many cultural contributions to America including Swedish meatballs and the Swedish pop music group ABBA in the 1970’s. I know, ancient history. However, some respect is due. Today the four members of ABBA have a combined net worth of $900 million. They originated in Stockholm and produced hits[Read More…]