Welcome to your Friday favorite – “Caught My Eye!” Thanks for stopping by, and let me be one of the first to wish you a happy Thanksgiving!

If this is your first time visiting The Western Word, the “Caught My Eye” column is posted every Friday morning! This is when I take a quick look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week. I often throw in a touch of sarcasm just to make you smile – or to irritate you just a little.

Today I write about closing a missile squadron, Daines and the poll, Missile Force “burnout,” the Senate Nuclear Option, Update on Kelsey Sue Anderson, the wrong big plane, Brawl of the Wild, friendly wager, JFK 50 years, plus we have a winner who is Making Montana Proud.

Closing a Missile Squadron:

The Washington Free Beacon reported yesterday “The Obama administration has drafted a plan to shutter an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) squadron three years after it assured hesitant lawmakers that the New START U.S.-Russia arms reduction treaty would not lead to deep cuts in the ICBM force.”

Under the plan, they would also destroy the silos.

Back in December 2010, I wrote, “The [New START] Treaty needs more debate and there are several questions that need answered.” Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester voted for the START Treaty.

For those not familiar (most Montana reporters), a missile squadron is 50 missiles. There are 150 missiles each at Malmstrom, F.E. Warren, and Minot Air Force bases. A squadron of missiles was removed from Malmstrom AFB in 2007, after the congressional delegation at that time (Sens. Baucus, Tester, and Rep. Rehberg) gave up the fight.

So, if the story is true, which base will lose a squadron, and take the lead on being the base most likely to completely lose its ICBM mission and face possible complete closure?

Daines Up in PPP Poll:

The campaign of Steve Daines should not be spiking the ball in celebration just yet due to the latest poll from Public Policy Polling. The poll showed Daines up by 15 points on Democrat John Bohlinger and by 17 points on Democrat John Walsh.

It’s a long way to November 2014, kids. Bohlinger and Walsh will do better in the polls as they get more name recognition.

In the 2006 Senate race, an early poll showed Conrad Burns leading Jon Tester by 24 points. In the 2012 Senate race, a poll showed Denny Rehberg up on Tester by 10 points. Tester was victorious in both races.

Sometimes these early polls make the underdog work harder, and they make the leader in the polls and his/her team cruise some.

Nuclear Missile Force “burnout”

Associated Press National Security Writer Robert Burns wrote about an Air Force study that the AP had obtained that said “burnout” was a major issue with the intercontinental ballistic missile force that controls 450 nuclear weapons.

There are intercontinental ballistic missile bases located at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, and at Minot AFB, North Dakota.

Burns also reported about “evidence of broader behavioral issues across the intercontinental ballistic missile force, including sexual assaults and domestic violence.”

There’s a void in leadership at the top of the Air Force these days, in my opinion. Some of that was brought on by the downsizing of the force in 1990s. Some of those people who were downsized would have been the senior leaders in both the officer and enlisted ranks over the past few years.

Nonetheless, the ballistic missile forces are hurting. They need someone to step up and take charge.

Senate Filibuster Nuclear Option:

On Thursday, the U.S. Senate Democrats changed the filibuster rules on Presidential appointees (except for U.S. Supreme Court nominees), and the GOP senators cried foul.

Of course, when the GOP takes over the majority in the senate sometime down the road, they will love this rule change.

In my opinion, this is no big deal. Presidential appointees are vetted closely (ask anyone who has filled out the tons of paperwork) and blocking nominations just because the President from the other party nominated them is silly.

UPDATE – Kelsey Sue Anderson:

I’ve written about this HERE and HERE. Here is an update from the Associated Press:

The parents of a female Idaho airman who the military says killed herself shortly after she was deployed to the Pacific in 2011 will get $6,500 to cover attorney fees after suing the U.S. Air Force for information about their daughter’s death.

It was shameful that the family had to take the Air Force to court to obtain information. It’s also a shame they received very little help from their senator.

My prayers go to the family.

It’s a Big Plane:

James Connor over at the Flathead Memo alerted me to this article about the Washington Aerospace Alliance placing a full-page ad in the Seattle Times “to persuade Boeing to locate production of the 777X jet” to the Seattle area.

Unfortunately, the photo in the full-page ad was that of an Airbus A319, not the Boeing 777X. Boeing and Airbus are big-time competitors in the aircraft business.

Ouch.

That’s OK; here in Montana some folks think cargo planes are the same as jets…

Making Montana Proud:

This section is where I mention people or groups whose actions embarrass Montana in some way.

From the Helena Independent Record: Larry Longfellow, 68, who was “the former chief financial officer for Montana’s Veterans of Foreign Wars was sentenced to two years in federal prison Tuesday after illegally taking more than $140,000 from various accounts and using it for his own benefit.”

It was also reported “that Longfellow, who retired after 23 years with the VFW, is receiving a monthly pension from the VFW, and initially sought to lower his restitution by saying the VFW owed him back pay for vacation and sick time.”

The judge ordered his $879 monthly VFW pension be paid toward restitution.

Shame on Larry Longfellow…

Brawl of the Wild Poll Results/Friendly Wager:

According to The Western Word poll this week, 50% of those taking part believe the Montana State Bobcats will win the big game, and 50% believe the Montana Grizzlies will win. Thanks to all who participated!

Also, and this is big news, Rep. Steve Daines and Montana Attorney General Tim Fox have a “friendly wager on who will win on Saturday.”

If I were Daines, I’d watch out. Tim Fox and his team of “seasoned professionals” may arrest you for illegal gambling if he loses the bet.

50 Years:

Today marks 50 years since President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. It was a sad time in our nation’s history. In case you are interested, I wrote about the assassination earlier this week. You can read that column HERE.

One More Thing:

Don’t forget to stretch…

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