Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign…

You really don’t have to drive too far in Montana to see a sign that tells us “Project Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.”

I think they are a little silly.  We actually paid for the work done on the roads, sidewalks, etc., with our tax dollars – so maybe if they really needed to put up a sign, the sign should read, “Paid for by Your Taxes. Thank You!”

Congressman Denny Rehberg does not like the signs, either.

They constructed some new sidewalks in my neighborhood.  The placed signs along the streets to tell us how the new sidewalks came to be.   (more…)

Published in:  on February 3, 2010 at 7:37 pm Leave a Comment

Nuclear Vision

Scattered across the world today on the web and in the newspapers is an opinion piece from Vice President Joe Biden called, “The President’s Nuclear Vision.”

The Vice President says, “We will spend what is necessary to maintain the safety, security and effectiveness of our weapons.”

The Obama Administration proposes spending $600 million more than last year.  That’s good, but as they say, “the proof is in the pudding” meaning the details – which will have to be worked out later.

With the United States in deep financial trouble, it sounds a little funny for the Obama Administration to be saying they will spend more on nuclear weapons.  They sure don’t seem like a “defense-minded” administration to me.   (more…)

Published in:  on January 30, 2010 at 4:33 pm Leave a Comment

You Gotta Love Ellie Light

Most of my personal friends will understand why I love Ellie Light.  For those of you who don’t know Ellie Light, she is a lady who writes letters to the editor.

In her case, she writes pro-Obama letters, which is OK, because she is involved and supporting her candidate.  Getting people to write (or even sign) letters to the editor is a tough job as any campaign will tell you.  Ellie did it her own way, so she’s a champ!  (more…)

Published in:  on January 26, 2010 at 7:40 pm Leave a Comment

Observations from the week 01/24/10

I think this past week could be described as “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore” week.

The Republicans have a slight pulse after the election in Massachusetts.  The Supreme Court opens up the bank for candidates with their decision, and there’s much more to write about, like PTSD, snow, movies and music! (more…)

Published in:  on January 24, 2010 at 10:42 am Leave a Comment

You Get What You Play For

We’ve had about 24 hours now to digest the Massachusetts special Senate race in which Scott Brown, the Republican, beat the Democrat, Martha Coakley, 52%-47%.

I’m already kind of sick of the news about it.

But, it was a popcorn night around the TV for me, and it was a night that ended earlier than even this political animal could believe.  You should have been following my updates on Twitter!

As the greatest rock band in the world, REO Speedwagon, (more…)

Published in:  on January 20, 2010 at 8:18 pm Leave a Comment

Looking For Candidates

Over the past year or so the Montana Legislative Campaign Committees have been searching high and low for candidates to run for legislative seats here in Montana.  I receive e-mails from both major parties.  They are fun to read because each one tries to make you feel the world is going to end if the other party wins the majority.

For those of you who do not follow Montana politics, the state legislature meets every two years for 90 days. There are 50 state senate members and 100 state house members.  One friend who follows the Montana Legislature closely told me a few of them actually have brains.   (more…)

Published in:  on January 18, 2010 at 1:01 pm Leave a Comment

Coakley and Brown & Politics

As one who likes to watch politics and who has some views about politics different than the masses, it’s been interesting to say the least watching the U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts.

So get your popcorn ready, Tuesday evening will be fun!

From my point of view, it looks as though the Democrats thought this seat was safe – even their candidate took some time off during the holidays as she was up on her opponent by about 30 points in some polls.

Now, some polls show Brown, the Republican, up by about five points on the Democrat, Coakley.

All the big dogs are out to help their candidate.  (more…)

Published in:  on at 11:35 am Leave a Comment

The Circus: Act IV

For those of you who have been following my commentaries about the circus at the Great Falls International Airport, there’s more circus activity to report from this week.

According to the Great Falls Tribune, “Cascade County commissioners on Tuesday reappointed Susan Humble, president of Anderson Steel Supply Co., to a seat on the Great Falls Airport Authority, along with Joe Tropila, a longtime state lawmaker.”

Also, according to the Tribune, “Tropila will replace Ed Buttrey, an incumbent who sought reappointment to the Airport Authority. Buttrey is president of Cable Technology Inc.” (more…)

Published in:  on January 16, 2010 at 1:22 pm Leave a Comment

Public Liaison

My readers know about the job that U.S. Senator Max Baucus’ live-in girlfriend, Melodee Hanes, obtained at the U.S. Department of Justice – a political appointee position.   If not, read this.

But, there’s even more jobs for the Baucus family in the DOJ that has apparently slipped through the net of the Montana media.

According to the website National Review Online, Baucus’ daughter-in-law, “Stephanie Denton Baucus is associate director of the DOJ Office of Intergovernmental and Public Liaison.”  This is also a political appointee position.

According to the website Main Justice, they both started their jobs in June 2009.

Nice.

Published in:  on January 12, 2010 at 7:09 pm Leave a Comment

The Circus: Act III

The headline in the Great Falls Tribune kind of said it all about the circus going on at the Great Falls International Airport:  “Airport Authority brings in professional help for filling top staff post.”  You can read the story HERE.

After what I have read and heard on the streets, professional help is needed, but not to help search for a director.

It is costing about $35,000 for the professional help.  $35,000.

No matter how some members of the board carefully phrase their responses to the media and the public, it’s clear this whole thing is designed to oust the current director, Cynthia Schultz.  They might as well come clean as one does not need to be a rocket scientist or even an airline pilot to see what’s happening.

Since it is now 2010, I was hoping some or most of the current board members would resign and allow some fresh faces to bring some calm to this storm.  That has not happened, yet, but I am still holding out hope.

You can read my other comments about this HERE, HERE, and HERE. 

Published in:  on January 9, 2010 at 12:14 pm Comments (1)
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