By Jim Harmon

Whatever happened to civility? Our politicians and elected officials these days are acting like Romper Room 5-year-olds. (Sorry, you have to be of a certain age to understand the reference.)

I'm trying my best to ignore the din and think peaceful, happy thoughts. But it’s not easy. Perhaps I need a tall, stiff drink!

As I wrote nearly a decade ago, alcohol has been a part of human society for a long time – perhaps as far back as Neolithic times, about 10,000 BCE. Ever since, it has generated both commerce and controversy.

Booze was a big part of Western lore and Montana's history. After all, a town wasn't really a town until it had a livery and a saloon.

Montana's first newspaper encouraged readers to "go and see the boys" at the Head-Quarters saloon and "strengthen (you

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