A little humor, a little serious

By G. George Ostrom

In an ancient myth, the hero was fighting a female monster, Medusa, or something like that. She had deadly snakes for hair and if he cut off any snake with his sword, two snakes replaced it. That is the way "cleaning my room" seems to be. Gains are not clearly noticeable. Keep finding new really good stuff to add to the piles and when I attack old files, there are wonderful things I'd forgotten.

Examples: In years now passed, Pat Paulsen was always running for President. Found a remark he made on the Smother's Brothers Comedy Hour, " I think I'm a pretty good candidate … because I've been consistently vague on all the issues and I'm continuing to make promises that I'll be unable to fulfill."

An Inter Lake column by Tom Purcell mourned the passing of wits such as Will Rogers. Stolen examples follow:

"If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?"

"Diplomacy is the art of saying, 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock."

"Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for."

"Alexander Hamilton started the U.S. Treasury with nothing. That was the closest our country has ever been to being even."

Enough of this! Let's get really serious for a moment.

Last Friday, the 23rd day of May was the One Hundredth Anniversary of the National Bison Range at Moise. Although the notice of the celebration was short for the public, it was given some late publicity. Not enough. It was a chilly day with sprinkles of rain, and about 150 people not involved in the official proceedings showed up, many of them school kids.

In my opinion, the wonderful Bison Range we know is in serious trouble because of the convoluted proceedings between the Department of Interior's bureaucrats and the Salish Kootenai Tribe. "They" are deciding who should manage this "Jewel" of we the people's National Refuge System. What is going on is not in keeping with the approved democratic process of our government, it's a sham … a mockery. The Tribe did take over "half" the operation of the range in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 in a bureaucratic maneuver that was done mostly behind the public's back. It was a disaster, the Tribe only completing about half of the assigned work, yet spending all the allotted budget monies.

A large book could be written about the unfair loss of jobs by motivated employees who earned their positions through diligence and job devotion. This includes at least two tribal members who earned their positions the honest and hard way. Most of the negotiating and political games are being done without proper hearings and notices to the public who pay the bills. Our two democrat Senators seem to be ignoring the issues; however Representative Rehberg has asked for a Congressional Hearing but with the opposing majority control in the House, he was ignored. Was told Senator John Tester was helping in the Tribe's takeover, but with so much hidden activity, I don't know for sure.

This is such a complex situation; it would be impossible to give even a smidgen of the goings on here. We need a Congressional hearing with everything out in the open.

Why should I care? This s the 73rd year of my personal association with the Bison Range. Went there for the first grade picnic in 1935. Fell in love with the place and gone back hundreds of times. Did volunteer work there while in college. Deepest involvement came when U.S. Senator Lee Metcalf asked my help in getting the beautiful Visitor's Center built in the 60's. I worked on the project and continued involvement after returning home from Washington. Was honored to be Master of Ceremonies at the Visitor Center dedication.

Talked to involved people last Friday from both sides. Dean Rundle out of Denver is the chief government negotiator. He is between a rock and a hard place, his employer the Department of Interior and the Tribe with all it's hidden clout in Washington. Told Rundle we citizens' biggest concern was the "SECRECY." His reply was a hedged statement that the secrecy was necessary to protect "confidential matters" regarding the Tribe. When I realized the implications of his remark, I was dismayed. My deepest concerns were verified.

Am told there are no records of the so-called "public meetings" held in the past. One veteran refuge manager confided that when negotiations get sticky, the tribes invariably play what he called "the racist card." Friday, there were only six remaining regular employees left at the Bison Range. They feel their jobs are also in jeopardy.

Am ending this column with the motto from my former Kalispell News:

"The hottest places in hell are reserved for those, who in a time of moral crises, refuse to take a stand."