The article details how Dashiell Hammett’s experiences in Montana, where he witnessed corporations influencing state government, shaped his views and later his writing. Now, Montanans are proposing the Transparent Election Initiative, aiming to limit corporate involvement in elections. This initiative utilizes the argument that states grant corporations their powers and, therefore, can restrict their influence, as detailed in a paper by Tom Moore. This approach, rooted in historical Supreme Court decisions, could potentially negate the effects of Citizens United by changing state laws governing corporate charters, ultimately pushing public discourse towards more egalitarian politics.
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The Defense Department under Trump has requested that HuffPost reporters sign a document viewed as unconstitutional and restrictive. HuffPost has refused, reaffirming its commitment to independent, fact-based journalism. The publication is requesting continued reader support to maintain its newsroom and continue its mission of unbiased reporting, emphasizing the importance of reader contributions. HuffPost is grateful for past support and hopes readers will join them again.
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Workers at a Montana animal shelter were hospitalized after a drug burn conducted by the FBI released methamphetamine smoke into the building. The smoke was the result of a negative pressure issue, preventing proper ventilation during the incineration of two pounds of seized methamphetamine. Fourteen shelter staff members evacuated and sought medical treatment for symptoms including headaches and dizziness, while the shelter’s animals were relocated. The facility remains closed pending contamination testing, and officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the burn, including the incinerator’s temperature.
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Michael Paul Brown, a 45-year-old man, is facing four counts of murder for the shooting deaths of a bartender and three patrons at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana. After the shooting on August 1st, Brown evaded capture for a week, hiding in nearby forests while hundreds of law enforcement officers searched for him. He was eventually apprehended on August 8th, and authorities are investigating whether he received any assistance while on the run. Brown is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on September 3rd, and faces a potential death sentence if convicted.
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Authorities are searching for Michael Paul Brown, the suspect in a fatal shooting at a Montana bar that left four people dead Friday morning. Brown’s white Ford F-150 has been located, but he remains at large, prompting an intensive search in the mountains near Stumptown Road. Law enforcement agencies, including local, state, and federal entities, are involved in the ongoing search, utilizing both ground and air support. The public has been advised to avoid the area and not approach the suspect.
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John Q. Hosedrinker