Human Interest Story On Mountrail County Leaders -- The Hynek Brothers --Retiring

The Bismarck Tribune is reporting:

Brothers whose capable hands helped steer Mountrail County and its biggest city through the Bakken boom phenomenon are going farming and fishing instead.

David and Mike Hynek, with roots four generations deep in the slough-filled, oil-drilled countryside of home, say they've fought the hard fight long enough.

Each has been a valuable public servant, bringing to bear decency and the example of a father who prized work above rhetoric on an industrial growth frenzy that may never be repeated.

David Hynek, 67, will leave the Mountrail County Commission after 17 years. Mike Hynek, 55, will leave the mayor's spot on the Stanley City Council after eight years and four earlier on the council.

Much, much more at the linked article about the challenges in the Bakken. A very, very good article.

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I Assume It's Polarized Only When Your Side Loses

The New York Times is reporting:

When the Supreme Court issued its latest campaign finance decision last month, the justices lined up in a familiar way. The five appointed by Republican presidents voted for the Republican National Committee, which was a plaintiff. The four appointed by Democrats dissented.

That 5-to-4 split along partisan lines was by contemporary standards unremarkable. But by historical standards it was extraordinary. For the first time, the Supreme Court is closely divided along party lines. [Really? For the first time? That's hard to believe.]

The partisan polarization on the court reflects similarly deep divisions in Congress, the electorate and the elite circles in which the justices move.

But yes, it was much better when we were getting 9-0 decisions when FDR packed the Supreme Court. Americans at least thought there was agreement somewhere.

And yes, the justices move in very elite circles.