The earlier part of this story, the firing of Donnell Thomas from writing for DU, was covered in this thread over on Upland Journal about a month ago: http://www.uplandjournal.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard312a/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=3;t=95533

The entire thread is worth reading.

I did some legwork and found the offending article: http://www.outsidebozeman.com/magazine/archives/fall-2015/rift-runs-through-it

The article is even more worth reading.

This article is harsh, but it ran in a regular publication and doubtless was run by that publication's libel lawyers before it ran. I have little doubt the facts as stated are true - they wouldn't f'k with some rich bastard who litigates for pleasure otherwise.

There was some more background, synopsized in this article: http://www.startribune.com/popular-ducks-unlimited-columnist-runs-afoul-of-his-bosses/349127341/

I've tried to get on the Ruby to fish it, following the "rules". Turns out some of the property owners run electric fences to the bridge abutments, such that one trying to step from the public way directly into the water below the high-water mark can't quite stretch over the electric fence.

Petty crap, in other words.

This guy has spent a boatload of money on a judicial election. This, after repeatedly losing in the court where the election filled a seat. You don't get to be a billionaire by wasting money, and you don't spend money on elections without expecting - and usually getting - something you want in return. Still petty, but with more zeroes to the left of the decimal point.

fiery, dependable, occasionally transcendent