Memories from years past
G. GEORGE OSTROM / For the Hungry Horse News
People who do not expose their personality weekly in a newspaper can forget what kind of a person they were and how they changed over years. No public evidence around. Not that way with ol' George. Along with feeling proud of stands taken on public issues, awards and fan letters received, there are a few columns where, "I don't remember that guy."
My first column, for the "Starvin' Stud," was published Feb. 2, 1962, so more than 40 years are hard to deny. After pondering this matter last week, looked back to see who I was 20 years ago. Found an interesting Trailwatcher to recap from Sept. 13, 1990:
(Quote) Last week my column teed off on what I believe to be the incompetent way some people are doing their jobs in Glacier National Park. The Hungry Horse Editor also took a shot at the same targets as did veteran Park employee, plus there were letters to the editor criticizing Park management. Probably not a happy weekend at Park headquarters.
There are things I'd like readers to know about my part in that hatchet job. First - I could have come down harder and hit lower. Second - I take the management of Glacier Park very seriously and very personally. Am not someone transferred here for a few years to rack up retirement points. Lastly - That was not a planned attack. Brian Kennedy has no idea of my topic until he gets the column … often an hour before deadline.
While my editorial hatchet is still unsheathed, might as well whack a few more big shots. I'm not content being a shy guy holding back opinions while heavyweights run over my friends.
First there is Congressman Ron Marlenee. In personal talks we use each other's first names. Last week he was in Kalispell making a speech suggesting Glacier Superintendent Gil Lusk should get back in the Park and keep his nose out of things outside. I did not totally agree with his reasoning but did chuckle. Did not chuckle over latest Marlenee stories. In one, he was trumpeting increased wheat loan prices added to the already bloated farm subsidy bill, and the same Associated Press release said our Congressman received over $200,000 during the last seven years in farm subsidies.
In one AP story, Marlenee was quoted as saying American farmers are the same as soldiers on the front lines in the Persian Gulf, when it comes to making sacrifices for their country. That made me madder than hell. I do not know what kind of war Ron Marlenee fought, but to compare ANYONE on the home front with troops in combat when it comes to 'sacrifice" is not just ignorant, it is blasphemous. Those kids' lives are on the line … slightly different from Marlenee or anyone else worrying over wheat crops. If Marlenee was quoted correctly, he needs a few years without subsidies and a couple of weeks in a foxhole.
Ted Turner, the television mogul, was in Helena Aug. 15 to visit our Governor and talk to the Chamber of Commerce. Had his latest squeeze, Jane Fonda, along. Ted discussed plans for raising buffalo on his 130,000 acre Flying D Ranch and mentioned the possibility of opening his 30,000 acre Bar None ranch near Toston to "controlled" elk hunting.
I admire how Ted had gutted through revolutionary communications ideas, espoused conservation programs, and wins yacht races; but, he lost points in Helena. When asked about granting public access for fishing on his property he said, "There are two ways to catch fish. One is to be a great fisherman and fish in public water. The second way is to have the stream nobody fishes in. I worked for 40 years to make the money to buy that ranch and I tell people, 'If you want a great place to fish, work hard and buy yourself one.'"
It is one thing to be financially successful enough to buy your own trout stream. It is a different matter to be so smug you think there can be a private trout stream for everyone who works hard.
Back in the 18th century, there was a haughty queen who said something similar to Turner's fishing remark. Ted might improve both his attitude and public image by reading that part of French history where Marie Antoinette is asked what people could do when they had no money to buy bread, and she said … "Let them eat cake." (Unquote)
And that's the guy I was in 1990.
G. George Ostrom is a Kalispell resident and a national award-winning Hungry Horse News columnist.