We went to 'Democratic Prom' and here's what we learned.

By DARRELL EHRLICK | Editor-in-Chief

"We took a little excursion because we felt we had to do that to get rid of some evil. And I think you’ll see it’s going to be a short-term excursion.” – President Donald Trump, sending mixed messages about the war in Iran.

Though it has been talked about forever — a partnership between the state and the United States Forest Service- there haven’t been many practical examples of joint cooperation. But late last week, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte had the Forest Service Chief outline new plans for joint management and treatment of state-federal forests.

With U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke leaving Congress, some assignments are getting reshuffled, including an appointment of Rep. Troy Downing, Montana’s other Congressman, to the powerful and important Natural Resources Committee.

In one instance, President Donald J. Trump referred to the fighting in Iran as a very short-term thing — a momentary diversion. In a different speech on Monday, the president said that the military is prepared to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, and is holding back on bombing some targets, in case of a prolonged war.

The throttling back of oil production, uncertainty and global concerns have set off a flurry of oil trading, sending the price per barrel soaring to heights that haven’t been seen in years, with experts warning of $4 per gallon prices in the United States. Behind the scenes, Republican strategists are worrying because the administration was already feeling economic pressure.

Speaking of economic pressure, a new jobs report for February showed a worse-than-expected picture as the U.S. economy lost more than 92,000 jobs. Trump administration officials said that what we’re seeing is volatility, with better-than-expected jobs reports in January, only by the sharp downturn in February.

Lawmakers in South Dakota sign off on a plan that would let residents challenge another resident’s voting eligibility. Gov. Larry Rhoden said that it’s just another way that the state is leading in election security, but others worry that the law could be subject to abuse or used as a way to stop voters, rather than make elections safer.

The Trump administration announces that it will roll back regulations that outlawed “bear baiting” in Alaska. Meanwhile other conservation organizations worry that the move could be a part of a new trend that will put other sensitive species at risk.

Historian and author Marc C. Johnson, who wrote the definitive biography about former U.S. Sen. Burton K. Wheeler from Montana, says that if history is any guide, then the old switcheroo performed last week by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines could ultimately backfire on him, and everyone else who was a part of this scheme.

Many places around Montana experienced warmer-than-average temperatures this weekend. In fact, Billings set a high of 69 on Sunday, although it was quite windy. As is befitting of Montana weather, forecasters were looking ahead, calling for a mix of snow, rain and temperatures in the 60s, as weather at this time of year seems even more erratic and inconsistent. However, Montana’s weather is nothing to play around with. Meterologist Erik Johnson at Great Falls’ KRTV posted an amazing video of the roof being ripped off of Lincoln Elementary, as school there was cancelled on Monday.

It’s hard to say whether Steppenwolf’s “Monster” album was just too much of a departure for most of their fans, or if that they had just mistimed the content. The album is usually not included in conversations of their best work, and if you know the band that helped create the hard rock category, it’s likely you know “Born To Be Wild,” a sort of psychedelic rock anthem, or even “Magic Carpet Ride.”

But, in early 1969, the group was aiming at something akin to a concept album, where the theme would lean heavily into social critique, especially criticism of the Vietnam War. Even though there would still be many other popular anti-war songs in 1969 and beyond, some of the most strident protest songs had already been recorded. But with the benefit of hindsight, fewer songs offered more comprehensive commentary than the title track, which clocked in at more than nine minutes, another reason why the album was likely a commercial flop.

However, in the past couple of weeks as war has continued to escalate abroad, several of you have opined that “Monster” should have its time on “The Hook.” And, we agree: That time — all nine minutes, 16 seconds — has come.

If you have a song that you’d like to share, or would like to get in touch with us, please send us a note at [email protected]

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