Opinion

In response to “Oil, gas can fuel Montana’s economic recovery” (Glendive Ranger-Review, 8-5-21), I’d like to offer a conservative and bipartisan solution: carbon pricing in the form of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (EICDA; HR 2307).

Rudyard Kipling, 19th century British author wrote the book “Kim”. In the story he coined the term “The Great Game”. The point of the story was the involvement of a young boy helping British espionage against the Russians in India about 1840. “The Great Game” became a metaphor for the centuries old use of the Khyber Pass located in the range of mountains known as the “Hindu Kush”. The pass connected Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan to India. India was “the jewel in the crown”. It was first conquered by Moghul raiders out of Central Asia and then much later became a prize for the British East India Company.

“We have met the enemy and they are us.” - Pogo Possum

Like any chain, today’s ubiquitous “supply chains” are only as strong as their weakest links. Americans again learned this elemental lesson a year ago when the rapidly exploding Covid-19 pandemic swept the nation’s streets, sidewalks, and pantries clean of cars, people, and groceries.