Dawn

'Tis The Seasons

3rd World ?

 

Embarrassing

 WE LIVE HERE

We Know Stupid

our attorney general sucks

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Bless Texas for showing the way to stupidity !

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WALLPAPER:  HOT BEEF SANDWICH

Right Now

 PEBBLE GONE ??

COE Denies Permit

near impossible revival

 

Remote Location . . . courtesy new York Times

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.. On the same day as John Kerry was slated for the position of "climate czar" (encompassing a carbon footprint including a private jet and giant boat,) the Corps Of Engineers just denied a permit for the Pebble Mine. 

.. Mixed messages are pretty well standard coming out of Washing D.C. Neither now, nor in the past or, in the future can we expect any changes. The swamp will continue to be populated on the basis of cronyism, political position, and sheer ignorance of either public perception or with actual ineptitude.

.. How ignorant can a population be?

RESOURCES

>> NPR

>> WSJ

>> NYT

>> FOX

>> CNN

>> FOX

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WALLPAPER:  BACON AND EGGS

Busy, busy, busy !

FULL MOON

Halloween

fun with the clock

AND 

ELECTION DAY

 ..

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WALLPAPER: BLACK TEA IS BROWN

He's Back !!

 ASSAULT ON ACCESS

That's Your Access !!

multimillionaires united

SLUGGER IS BACK IN TOWN *

 

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.. With more than 300 million dollars in his back pocket, Greg Gianforte the "AT LARGE" Montana representative from sunny San Diego, wants to be our governor. It is our opinion that this carpetbagger believes that folks from Montana are fools and idiots.

.. We believe that Gianforte has been trying for years to sell our public lands, (just like Senator Steve Daines and Ryan Zinke.) This creationist unholy trinity is centered in Bozeman, Montana, (of course,) and, we firmly believe, is a thinly disguised real estate cabal.

.. You can check their bona fides: supports William Perry Pendley, in bed with the Charles Koch Foundation, gives $$$$$ to the Foundation on the Economy and the Environment,  gives $$$$$ to Heritage Foundation, and other sundry crusades to remove resources and access from our public lands and waters.

We could go on about this convicted "punch them in the face Californian"  --  BUT  --  check the resources below to see how your access to fishing and hunting in the last best place is being threatened.

>>> OUTSIDE <<<

>>> REMEMBER THIS?? <<<

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THE SNORTLE IS WORKING

. The breezes were blustery yesterday. We are in for a week of mixed weather and some temperatures on the coolish side. Big fish are being tormented on the lower Madison River, (all the way to Hebgen Reservoir.)

THESE WORKED YESTERDAY

  .. There are reports of submarines in the Firehole River Canyon, right near the entrance road. Although large streamers are the common ammunition for this invasion of runners some very large nymphs are also scoring big in the dance exhibitions.

.. We're on a fools errand today. Pub table, (outside,) rumors have it that there are bugs on the surface below Biscuit Basin on the Firehole River  --  we'll see.

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WALLPAPER:  LEMON CURD TURNOVERS

* courtesy 'cleveland - dot com'

F.Y.I. - South Dakota

GOT YOUR TICKET ?

Enjoy Rubbing Elbows

forget the face mask

CELEBRATE COVID-19 WITH THE PRESIDENT

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.. Just in case you lost your invitation for the festivities tomorrow, here's a link  [LINK.] And if you have forgotten how to behave in crowds of 7,000 or 8,000 revelers, here's a link for the official behavior guidelines [LINK-X.] The official recommendation is "NO SOCIAL DISTANCING."
.. Best of luck!

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MADISON MAULER

.. This current weather warm up will bring seasonal temperatures to Yellowstone National Park.
.. Enjoy the crowds and our village. The merchants are nearly all open and request your attendance at the check out line. Get your groceries early because the empty shelf spots are growing at a rapid pace. There is free hand sanitizer at the grocery stores. Bring your own face mask.
.. Go fishing if you can find a parking spot. Arrive early and stay late - build some stories if not hero shots of fish gulping air. Be sure your cell phone is fully charged.

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WALLPAPER:   STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE
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..

S.3422

FOR ALL OF US

Just Passed The Senate

fix deferred maintenance

BIPARTISAN ACTION

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.. Senate Bill S.3422 just passed the senate and, (barring a presidential veto,) is set to become law.  This is a bill that is about investing in the next generation of Montana outdoors men and women and ensuring our public lands can be enjoyed well into their future.
.. Follow the bill HERE. 

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CLIPPED STIMMI

.. We're getting a week of on-&-off drizzle. The caddis are sparse, the white millers are present, big bugs in the Madison River and Firehole Canyon. Just perfect for the old Seal Dry crew.
.. There is plenty of parking in Yellowstone National Park. There is plenty pf parking for shopping in our village. Wear a face mask and tread gently. 
.. Grocery stores have some empty shelves. Deliveries are on Wednesday!!!

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WALLPAPER:  HAM & SWISS SANDWICH

Under The Radar

A DEEP DIVE

Trespass Or Not

private vs. public interest

PRIVATE LAND - PUBLIC TRAIL

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.. Percolating under the corona-time and, becoming more of local interest than it should be, is the ongoing battle for access to isolated public lands.

THE SHORE OF UPPER TWIN LAKE

.. A couple of years ago the concerns were of national interest. Now they have become submerged by the political climate, a pandemic and, the malaise/fear of our population. AND, in truth, all politics is local. But the access question is still national and urgent.
.. We refreshed our memory with a re-read of a seminal piece by Monte Reel. It details the continuing saga of access and ownership and development in the Crazy Mountains, [READ IT.]
.. The U.S. Forest Service just announced, in a news release,  that the Porcupine Ibex Trail will be open to hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers on Friday, more than a year and a half after it was first proposed. The 2.7 miles of new trail will connect the Porcupine Cabin Trailhead to the North Fork Elk Creek Trail, [ READ IT - 2.]
.. Since last fall there has been development on private plots that use public access to facilitate construction ingress and egress, [READ IT - 3.]
.. In a rare, and mostly unseen, online letter, Kate Gervais reminds us all about the actions of out-of-state land owners and their hiding in the shadow of Greg Gianforte. Indeed, actions do speak louder than words, [READ IT - 4.]
.. As bad as it is - right now. And as bad as it is going to be - we should keep our eyes on the many balls we were juggling previously.

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.. Food prices are climbing. Gas prices are slowly dropping, (within the West Yellowstone Cartel.) Yes it's true all the prices are the same; after all only three families own all six gas stations. One family owns 3 -my, my, my. Just where is our FTC or ICC?

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WALLPAPER: JUST TOO PRETTY TO BURN !!

Unfair

TRUMP IS A HERO !

America First !

support our holy leader

unfair cartoon from 'paulschicklercartoons.com' all lies and fake news

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.. The fake  news is loading up on our dear president. He has done so much for America; they should worship at his feet. History will record President Trump as our greatest president of all time. We should be proud that we had the insight to elect such brilliance.
.. We heard that he is going to use military money to dig a 550 foot deep hole in Washington, D.C. He calls it the 'Martha Washington Monument.' Such brilliance.
.. We don't think that Randy Rainbow is being very nice to our beloved president:

..

.. This is in the most unlovely spirit of patriotism. We know that all fly fishers denounce this kind of attack on the president: they just don't say it out loud.
.. The latest episode of 'Trump The Opera" is, without a doubt, the most fake of all news ever spun against our fantastic social general - "Grab 'em by the p . . . ."

..

.. We use this space to warn presidential supporters against watching these fake news videos. This is a disgrace and should be outlawed by an executive order of KING TRUMP!

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THESE SHOULD WORK

.. We're headed to Notellum Backwater for some out time. The fish are becoming atrophied from the lack of dance partners and we need to help them.
.. We have a jar full of winter fly rejects that should work wonders for the poor deprived fishes. The sun should feel good and the breeze delicious.
.. See you around the campus.

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WALLPAPER:  A PAIR TO DRAW TO  (and one more)

At 2:00 AM Sunday - 3/08/2020

MORE LIGHT, REALLY ?

Works For Some

we'll bank ours !

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.. We remember when this was talked about as a Communist conspiracy. Asi es la vida.

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WALLPAPER: FAJITAS AMERICANA CON REFRITOS

Under The Radar

THE SLIPPERY SLOPE

Expanding Powers

endemic with all of us

IT'S NOT ABOUT PARTISAN POLITICS !!

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.. One of the blessings of our short winter days and, long winter nights, (aside from fly tying time,) is the down time for reading.
.. We read. Many folks don't read. We venture the opinion that most folks don't have a rigorous reading regime. We can only speak in an informed manner about our little village and our neighbors. Our library receives 500% more books checked out in the summer. These are visitors !
.. On the whole we are a FAT, IGNORANT AND, HAPPY national population. It's a comfortable place to be. We get to fish, sled, travel, camp, hike, etc. We have the opportunity to read books. We seldom do.

IT'S ABOUT THEM

.. We just finished a re-read of The Imperial Presidency, by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. (Link 1, Link 2.) It reinforced our foggy but real conviction that something is and, has been, amiss about the drift of our governmental system.
.. Aside from the political party polarization, which comes and goes, there has been a recent trend toward increased and unchecked presidential powers.
.. From Ike to Trump, (save perhaps Carter,) charismatic and egocentric individuals have convinced the American public to elect them.
.. We, our self, survived for over 25 years before we even entertained the thought that there was a trend toward an imperial presidency. We did note that many politicians and presidents acted in imperious ways. From local city councils and library boards to the very top there seemed to be something about the arrogance of both elected officials and their supporting bureaucrats.

IT'S ABOUT US

.. As all of us build our lives we jettison bits and pieces of less than comfortable aspects. These bits are usually the parts that allow for continuous intellectual growth. The parts we keep to ourselves are economic, emotional, leisurely, and other soothing aspects that we incorporate from our individual and cultural milieu.
.. Ours is not a culture that values self examination. It is not a culture that looks inward at so many levels. We devour escapist passions: fishing, skiing, hunting, surfing, lounging, swimming, sports gawking, boating, texting, golfing, bowling, sex, cooking, gluttony, etc.
.. We eschew self examination, cultural scrutiny, social analysis, governmental surveillance, or anything that could interrupt our comfort. This has allowed those with a comfort zone that demands power, dominance, luxuriance addictions, unfettered freedom of action, larceny, to range freely in our society. From the scourge of juvenile delinquency to the horror of gang violence to the freewheeling and unfettered rampage of governmental personages there is an absolute lack of citizen involvement at any meaningful level.

THE RESULTS OF IMPERIUM

.. Voting two hours once a year or four hours every four years is a guarantee of poor government. Griping, whining, praising, cheering during the rest of the time hardly qualifies as participant democracy. This lazy form of democracy allows the erosion of accountability for our politicians.
.. This is a cultural trait of our society. It was a cultural trait of Rome, Athens, Sparta, Egypt, mid century Germany, mid century China, mid century Russia, and so many others.
.. This is not a partisan issue. You can pick your devil. We would suggest that it is a worthwhile use of our enormous "leisure time" to investigate this trend and explore our personal commitment to involvement.

RESOURCES

>> Unconstitutional Power,
>> Imperial Obama #1,
>> Imperial Obama #2,
>> Imperial Bush #1,
>> Imperial Bush #2,
>> Surprised by The Imperial Presidency,
>> Imperial Trump #1,
>> Imperial Trump #2,
>> Imperial Trump #3,
>> Progress Texas,
>> Ukraine On Fire.

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..  Well it's another "Melt Day." And, it follows a minor dump of about 6" it also precedes an anticipated dump of 12".
.. We're pleased with the high country accumulation and a little wary of the mid altitude melting.
.. After some shoveling of the white stuff we're off to the gossip rounds. The town is about full and, sled heads are busy in the mountains and, skiers are ripping up the trails and, turons are riding giant couches to Old Faithful.
.. There's vittles to prepare, (praise the freezer.) There's indoor chores, (ugh,) needing done. And then, flip a coin and decide between a book or some flies to tie.

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WALLPAPER:  GOLDEN WHITE LOAF

.

Participation Government

TAKE THE TIME

Call Your Senator

if you even know

WALLPAPER:  ALL IN

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.. Public participation in the impeachment trial is a simple thing. Just call your senator and express your opinion. Believe it or don't: the truth is that senators take account of the opinion of constituents that take the time to call.

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WALLPAPER:  BEEF WITH VEGETABLES SOUP

The Founding

IS THIS US ?

Time To Read

give it a shot

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.. We thank our lucky stars that, in these modern times, resources are readily and easily available to closely examine and absorb the very foundation of our republic.
.. This is "the holiday season" and,we should remember that the holidays we celebrate have deeply spiritual components - beyond shopping. Unlike many others we encourage honest and civil discussion over the dinner table.

RESOURCES:

>> National Archives = OUR CONSTITUTION
>> National Archives = OUR BILL OF RIGHTS
>> Annotations = WIKIPEDIA - popular input

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.. Of course those with a short  memory or lack of an historical perspective need not bother. Just go fishing and call it good. No need to engage our foundation and inherent values?

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WALLPAPER: HAMBURGER STEAK

Articles Of Impeachment

READ THEM HERE
. . .
 

>> READ

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WALLPAPER: HOT BEEF, (prime steak) SANDWICH

Political Medicine

WE'VE BEEN TOLD

Real Concern

read it now

THE POLITLCS COUNTS

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., A couple of weeks ago we mentioned in passing that one should contact the AMA about political medicine, [[LINK.]] We now have a confirmation - writ large - from our current administration.
.. A couple of local MD's and a nationally respected scientist have sent us the following articles for our perusal. Yours too if you choose.

RESOURCES

>> Blocking Biomedical Research,
>> New NIH requirements,
>> Impact On Medical Research,
>> Fetal Tissue Restrictions.

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WALLPAPER:  OUR BUTCHER SURPRISED US - PRIME !

Special Interests

THAT'S US

That's You

madison river spotlight

WALLPAPER:  ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE

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.. The common phrase "follow the science" is insidious in it's pretense that science is somehow a magic arbitrator of decision making.

COINCIDENT INTERESTS

.. Science is as political as any other human endeavor. Is medicine political? Ask the AMA! Are refereed scientific papers political? Ask the referees! Is particle physics political? Ask Einstein! (oops - Franklin D. Roosevelt.)
.. Special interests of all stripes influence the human existence at all levels. From the personal level, family level, neighborhood level, town level, state level, national level, and international level - all are influenced by competing interests.

SOCIAL FISHING

.. Special interests need not be organized into formal groups of people. In all the the world the success of special interests is directly proportional to the political power and money of the interest. Deny it if you choose but it's how we do things.
.. Politics can be based on personal or,  religious or,  magical or,  transcendental or,  artistic or,  any other internalized human belief system. Alliances with other like minded individuals for political parties: Democrat, Republican, Baptist, Islamist, Dental, Medical, etc. are associations of interests that can and do form political groups.

SOLITARY  FISHING

.. Right now there is a political morality play dancing before our eyes. The concerns, (real or imagined,) about the use of the Madison River are being litigated politically in the press, the state house, the DFWP, and pubs in our neighborhood. Special interest groups, (including the supposed professionals of fish,) are jostling each other for priority positions in rule making about river usage.
.. So far the political clamor has centered around fish and fishing issues. Groups of fishers, guides, outfitters, and such have become amalgamated and disbanded for personal, cultural, social, economic and even religious parameters.

YAK-YAKERS

.. The 'United Kayak Paddlers' have not been heard from - yet! Nor indeed, have the beaver lovers, alfalfa irrigators, tube bobbers, bathers, been heard from in any organized fashion. Probably not enough religiosity or money.
.. We will continue to watch the hi-jinx as the most interested political group, (the Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks.) tries to herd the cats into the corral.
.. Our state has agencies and departments that could realistically address the supposed concerns of the interests involved in this business, (LINK.)

MADISON DOG DAY

.. Some of these could probably do a better job than the politically motivated localized one that is trying to tame the current cage of lions. We would suggest the following would do a better job and allow the FWP to be a competing voice rather than a politically vested special interest:
>  Department of Natural Resources and Conservation,
>  Department of Environmental Quality,
>  Department of Labor and Industry.
.. It's time for the locally owned FWP personnel be removed from their pseudo-role of arbitrator. It's time for them to get in line with the other special interests and submit to a more politically sane process to deal with Madison River public usage.

FAMILY FISHING

.. There are more stakeholders in this matter than just a few hundred guides and outfitters. There are more stakeholders than the few thousand local fisher folks. There are more stakeholders than the land owners along this publicly owned water resource. There are more stakeholders than the boaters and tubers. There are more stakeholders than the many thousands of tourists that use the river.
.. The most important stakeholders  in the Madison River are the residents of the State of Montana. These are the folks that pay taxes for the state agencies. These are the folks that matter most. These are our neighbors and they treasure this and all of our waters. These are the people that own the water. It's the law. It is written into the constitution. It's use does not belong to a single interest group - no matter how well organized or, well funded.
.. The Madison River is a Montana treasure. This is the "Treasure State" and the treasure of the Madison River is in its multiple uses and, it's attractive setting: no matter what the fisher folk believe. There may even be room for some science  -- as well as sociology, conservation, visitation,etc.

ON RIVER INSTRUCTION

.. Although the manifestations of competing usage are delivered locally, the real problems are impacting all of the treasures of our state. Our state has the opportunity to address the current situation with a view to the future. The population of Montana is growing. The visitation of folks from around the world is constantly increasing.
.. Broad principles of inclusive use need to be applied. Neither private nor state agency interests should be given priority in the decisions or rule making. It's time for the Governors office and the State Legislature to step in and provide the leadership necessary. All of our state treasures deserve no less.
.. We suggest that the situation be evaluated in the broadest of terms. We take this opportunity to thank MOLDY CHUM, (LINK,) for highlighting an article in the Missoulian, (LINK.)

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WALLPAPER:   BUTTER/GARLIC SHRIMP ON PAPRIKA BROWN RICE

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