Columnists - The Journal

'Letters from the war zone'

With the end of the legislative session in early May, I now write new columns monthly rather than the session's weekly efforts. One constituent thanked me for my "letters from the war zone" ...

DATE: Jun 4, 2013 | CATEGORY: Life in the Legislature

A shield law is needed to protect a free press

If members of the U.S. House and Senate are truly serious about cracking down brazen efforts by the U.S. Justice Department to intimidate news reporters by seeking their telecommunications w...

DATE: Jun 3, 2013 | CATEGORY: Others Say

Faith vs. presumption

Confidence that actions rooted in good character will yield the best outcome, even when I cannot see how. Faith is confidence that is rooted in one’s knowledge of the truth. The ...

DATE: Jun 3, 2013 | CATEGORY: Character Council

Which ‘public’ controls federal lands?

Hey, it’s a beautiful day; let’s go for a ride in the public forest. Great idea; let’s go drive that old logging road that is so pretty this time of year! Hey, why is it blocked and closed? ...

DATE: Jun 3, 2013 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

To survive wildfire, get home ready

Most residents who live in high-risk areas are surprised to learn that the flaming front of a fire is not what most commonly burns down homes. The intense heat of a crown fire does not usual...

DATE: Jun 3, 2013 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

No thanks, Estonia

At any given moment, 20 million people are video chatting with friends and relatives in distant lands. Skype, the ingenious software that makes this possible, was developed in Estonia, a tin...

DATE: May 30, 2013 | CATEGORY: Writers on the Range

The importance of privacy protections

IRS apologists are furiously trying to change the subject from the outrageous targeting of political opponents by the IRS to a policy debate over forced disclosure of contributions to groups...

DATE: May 27, 2013 | CATEGORY: Cagle Cartoons

My life as an intern

WASHINGTON — I can spot U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton from 50 paces, judging solely by the length of his stride. I’m able to pick Sen. Mark Udall’s voice out of a din, and I can quote so...

DATE: May 23, 2013 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

It’s a tree – how about a hug?

There’s a lot to learn from giants of the forest

DATE: May 23, 2013 | CATEGORY: Gulliford's travels

Wildfires may bring fast evacuations

After around 130 homes were evacuated between the Weber and Roatcap Fires in Montezuma County last year, the concern about fellow residents starting fires is well founded. But you may put yo...

DATE: May 20, 2013 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

A rather large lawn ornament

MONTANA AND COLORADO As the Missoulian puts it, “There’s rotten cellphone service, there’s nonexistent cellphone service, and then there’s what’s happening just a few miles east o...

DATE: May 20, 2013 | CATEGORY: Heard Around the West

TEOTWAWKI? (The end of the world as we know it)

Obama lied – four Americans died; and many more were injured! Our consulate was denied protection by the Obama administration at a known dangerous post. A rescue force about to board transp...

DATE: May 16, 2013 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns