23 July 2016

Saturday roundup

Hillary’s VP. Sen. Tim Kaine was not my first choice for vice president on the Democratic ticket. I disagree with his support for the Trans Pacific Partnership and so-call free trade agreements, and dislike his willingness to coddle the big banks. But he clearly has the experience, intellect, and temperament to be president — and to be a very good president. In fact, I wish he were at the top of the ticket.

Kalispell City Airport. All flight operations at the Kalispell City Airport could be moved to Glacier Park International Airport, which has a longer runway, better navigational aids, and probably slightly better weather. The City of Kalispell should close the airport and donate the land to School District 5, which would then have a 100-year site for a replacement for Flathead High School.

When campgrounds become rural ghettos. Long time friends, now retired, who spend several months a year as campground hosts in state and national parks in Oregon and California, report that these campgrounds are overcrowded, and that even with whopping big camping fees of $33 a night, infrastructure is decaying. Years ago, campgrounds on public lands were quiet places. Sometimes I could car camp in remote places for a week and be the only one there. No reservations or fees were required. Now campsite must be reserved months in advance, there are double digit fees, and the adjacent campsite is always occupied, usually by a beer guzzling barbarian with a bone rattling boombox and enough Coleman gas lanterns to illuminate a football field. That’s why I now stay at the Hilton or sleep in my car at a local Walmart.