Surviving the North Fork spring break-up

March is my least favorite time on the North Fork. It’s still mostly winter, with snow in varying depths. There is also a mix of rain and melting snow, and road conditions are nasty.

At the same time, the snow is gone in town, and lawns are showing signs of green, which causes North Forkers, including me, to experience pangs of jealousy as we impatiently wait for North Fork spring, which may not arrive until mid-May.

The last week illustrates it perfectly, with a mix of thawing, rain and finally five inches of new snow on Thursday night.

Luckily, we have the legislature in session every other March to help relieve the tedious March spring breakup.

Last week, George Ostrom’s “Trailwatcher” column and Rep. Jerry O’Neil’s “Speaking Out” column provided great entertainment. I am most impressed with Ostrom’s oft-repeated statement, “No man’s life or property is safe while the legislature is in session.”

It’s probably a good thing that legislators take themselves more seriously than either George or I do. I’m sure that they often draft bills that are just meant as trial balloons to inform the public or, better yet, to draw attention to themselves for political reasons. I have done that myself in this column.

For instance, I still think corporal punishment is a good thing in homes and at school, but probably not for adults. I also agree that it had to end at school because too many educators abused kids instead of educating them. Unfortunately, the same thing happened in homes.

Even so, we have not yet found a good replacement for corporal punishment. Kids are too often not taught respect for others, how to be accountable for their own mistakes, or the difference between right and wrong. As a result, we have increased crime, especially violent crime.

When I attended Flathead High School, it was common to see hunting rifles and shotguns in vehicles in the parking lot. Today we can’t afford the risk.

When I attended the University of Montana in Missoula, it was OK to have firearms in your dormitory room. At least until a student cleaning his 30.06 accidentally shot through the walls of four rooms. Luckily no one was hurt.

After that, firearms had to be checked in at the office. I don’t know what the policy is today over 50 years later, but I’ll bet it’s more restrictive.

We have to realize that times change. With more people, there are more stupid, crazy and criminal types. And we have to defend and make safe the law-abiding and our children. Change is seldom easy. What do you think?