[voices]
Bottoms up
STREET TALK
by Cathrine L. Walters
Asked Monday, Dec. 30, outside the Orange Street Food Farm. Give us a bold prediction for 2014. Follow-up: What’s your personal New Year’s resolution?
Catherine Schuck: That people will be generous to each other and really consider sharing the wealth. I find it frustrating that CEOs can make so much money when hardworking people are struggling to make a living wage. Makes the world go ’round: I just want to be as in touch with love as I can. To be caring, thoughtful and as loving as I can.
Peg McDaniel: I’m hoping that Obamacare will be fully functional for all those who are using it. Maybe by then they’ll have all the squeaks worked out of it. Lawn mower lady: I will continue doing for others—I think that’s my calling. I also fix people’s lawn mowers...I’m 83!
Frank Humphreys: Further general global unrest, like the Arab Spring, will blossom. People are hungry for change. Course of action: To find a healthy selfaffirming state of mind and to live from that. And to enjoy the things I tend to put off, like getting outdoors.
Grace Decker: We launch into the snowiest winter we’ve seen since 1996, which leads us into a beautiful summer with no smoky season. Quality time: To do more of the things I love, like long walks and potlucks.
Ethan Brown: The government is gonna shut down again over more trivial nonsense, pretending that it’s something bigger. Fresh air: Quit smoking. I started seven years ago.
[4] Missoula Independent • January 2–January 9, 2014
In last week’s edition of the Indy you mention that Max Baucus is heading to his appointment as ambassador to China “where the beer is weak and the stakes are high” (see “etc.,” Dec. 26). I’ve gotten lit up, not really intentionally, on Chinese beer while partying in Beijing’s Super Bar District. Chinese beer is based on German lagers but don’t let the pale color fool you. The brand that Max will likely be drinking is Yanjing, which has an alcohol content of 5 percent. That’s higher than most American mass-produced brands. China has a proud tradition of boozing that rivals Egypt’s. Mr. Baucus will likely be doing a lot of toasting, called “ganbei,” at official events or on casual outings with friends. You leap to your feet, holding a pretty little shot glass of hard Chinese liquor between your fingertips and direct it at the toastee. He/she too stands up and it’s bottoms-up for both of you. This goes on all night. Enjoy that Chinese beer, Mr. Baucus. I’m getting thirsty writing this. Pei-Lin Yu Missoula
pointed out the similarities between conditions in the American Southwest and those in Australia before that country’s devastating 10-year Millennial Drought. In response to requests from communities, businesses and farmers and ranchers around the country, the federal government recently announced the National Drought Resilience Partnership. It’s an effort to streamline access to federal agency drought recovery resources and
“I’ve gotten lit up, not really intentionally, on Chinese beer while partying in Beijing’s Super Bar District.”
Drought relief In 2012, two-thirds of the continental United States was affected by drought. The losses were staggering: $30 billion to agriculture alone and far more when you add the damages to water supplies, tourism, transportation and nearshore fisheries. Fighting drought-related wildfires tacked on another $1 billion. “Last year, the worst drought in generations devastated farms and ranches across the nation,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said earlier this fall. “But our work isn’t done and we can always better prepare for the future.” Drought will likely be an issue for the foreseeable future. A recent article in Scientific American magazine, for example,
provide information about conditions, among other tasks. But there is much that local governments, nonprofits and community water-based organizations can do to prepare for, mitigate and recover from the effects of drought. With that in mind the National Center for Appropriate Technology is developing the Drought Relief Corps, a program designed to apply the energy of the nation’s youth to the issue. Similar to the AmeriCorps programs FoodCorps and EnergyCorps that NCAT has developed and managed for years, DRC will match wellqualified members with host organizations.
Together, the host organizations and DRC members will design and carry out drought plans tailored for the area, with support and training from NCAT. You can help your community prepare. For more information about DRC and becoming a partnering organization, go online at drought.ncat.org or call Carl Little at 406-494-4572. Carl Little National Center for Appropriate Technology Butte
From here to there This year I have had the honor of serving as an AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America alleviating poverty in Montana. My position has been with the S.A.V.E. Foundation in Helena. I have had the opportunity to build community through partnerships and engagements in public transit and accessible biking and walking. In this role, I experienced how essential these aspects are to everyone’s ability to be part of a healthy community, not just those with the greatest needs who VISTAs serve most. My experience has revealed how public transportation is essential in empowering our growing senior population to age-in-place, as they become unable to drive. As Montana continues to grow, transit will be helpful for spending less time in traffic and more in the mountains. I have seen that bikes are not just for the fearless and the brave cyclists, but also as means of genuine transportation for children to get to school and people’s ability to stay fit. I’d like to thank this community and all the VISTAs serving across the state. I encourage any recent college graduate to spend a year serving America, especially in Montana. Matthew Cramer Helena
[Comments from MissoulaNews.com] Backtalk from “Resurgence underway,” Dec. 26
Time is now
You have the power
Wait, boo?
“It’s just flat-out time to legalize marijuana, folks. There are simply too many good things, and not enough bad, to continue this unwisely chosen path of prohibition.” Posted Dec. 26 at 9:03 a.m.
“Legislators: Please ensure that Colorado and Washington’s soon-to-be marijuana businessmen millionaires won’t be the only ones paying large amounts of tax revenue to western states. They can help fund our schools, low-income assistance programs, and other areas that will ensure Montana’s future is bright. Start small in a few large cities, follow those states and the example they’re setting, and let that revenue flow into our coffers. You have the power, legislators, and you know it.” Posted Dec. 26 at 5:19 p.m.
“I can’t think of many things much more hypocritical than outlawing marijuana, while permitting alcohol and tobacco sales. Prohibition sure worked well, didn’t it? About as well as the current laws against marijuana … exercises in futility. To my knowledge, use of boo has never killed anyone. You sure can’t say that about either tobacco or alcohol. (Tobacco killed both my parents, and my mother was an alcoholic).” Posted Dec. 26 at 2:44 p.m.
Painfully mind-blowing “It really is painfully mind-blowing to conceive that the majority of the marketed, taxed and legal drugs—are the worst for you! Alcohol alone takes over 75,000 lives per year. As the late great Bill Hicks noted, “We [humans] have yet to earn our thumbs ...” Posted Dec. 26 at 1:32 p.m.