Category Archives: Uncategorized

2010 Endorsements

Here at The Western Word, we’re always trying to improve!

I’ve made it easier for readers to find my picks for the 2010 Election. On the right side of the screen about halfway down there’s a selection called CATEGORIES. Click on it and then select 2010 Endorsements (it’s at the top). In a few seconds those entries will appear. Enjoy. Don’t forget to vote!

Montana Politics 2010: State House and Senate

Here we are about a month out from Election Day 2010. The absentee ballots are in the mail and the airwaves are full of campaign advertisements. It’s fun time!

So, it’s also time for The Western Word to make some endorsements for the 2010 Election. Today, I take a look at some Montana House and Senate races. Here’s the agenda:

Monday: State House and Senate

Tuesday: A few local races (Cascade County).

Wednesday: Statewide races and Public Service Commission.

In making these endorsements, I have trolled the net looking for information. I’ve visited campaign websites. I’ve checked Project Vote Smart for information. I’ve called and visited with people about candidates. I’ve also talked with some of the candidates. Some of them came to my door. Some found it was not a pleasant experience.

In some of these contests, I won’t get to cast a vote in because I live outside the voting area, but the candidate impressed me enough to give them a nod. With my readership increasing by leaps and bounds (September was an all-time high for visits to this website) I felt it was very important to let my faithful followers know which candidates I endorse.

For those candidates not listed as being endorsed, it means you probably did not impress me enough to deserve an endorsement or I just don’t care!

So without further delay, here are my recommendations for the 2010 Election Season (State Senate and House): Continue reading →

Caught My Eye…

If it’s Friday, then it’s time for “Caught My Eye” the critically acclaimed column that takes a look at some of the stories that I did not have time to comment about during the week.

This week I take a look at Native Americans and the Senate, Cheers, House Senators, a man named Rahm, sad leadership, politics, a couple of music videos and a great idea on how to get people to obtain their flu shots. So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy the read… Continue reading →

Caught My Eye…

Here we are, well into September. Football is in the air and the final push for candidates is happening with signs sprouting up like dandelions on my spring lawn.

In this week’s edition of “Caught My Eye” I take a look at food, comments about a former elected official, the President, and a lot more!

The Best Burger: Continue reading →

Great Falls Tribune

According to a blog post by the editor of the Missoulian, the Great Falls Tribune newspaper is in for some major changes – and job losses in 2011:

Gannett Corp. announced Tuesday that its newspapers will be designed at five “hubs” nationwide: Asbury, Des Moines, Louisville, Nashville, Phoenix.

That means local newspapers will ship off their stories and photos to page designers who are thousands of miles away. And those people will determine how the next day’s newspaper looks. They’ll position the stories and photos on the pages.

That means the Great Falls Tribune will be designed in Phoenix, Ariz.

By the way, Gannett owns the Great Falls Tribune.

I did not see anything about this change in the Tribune. I imagine we’ll learn of the impact in the not too distant future. It was kind of odd to read about the Tribune undergoing changes from an editor in Missoula – but I guess the editor felt it was a terrible move and decided to blog about it. The Missoulian newspaper is owned by Lee Newspapers.

The newspaper business is having a tough time these days and has had a tough go of it ever since the internet became such a major part of most everyone’s daily lives. I still subscribe to the “dead tree” version of my local paper. It’s part of my morning ritual (right after pouring a cup of coffee). Soon after reading the local paper, I am on Twitter and Facebook and other parts of the web getting the latest news.

They agree:

I was happy to read that the Editorial Board of the Tribune agreed with my commentary yesterday about making the road to Malmstrom AFB a little more professional looking. You can read their viewpoint HERE.

Texting and Driving

Currently there are about 18 states that have laws making texting while driving illegal –OMG!!!!

I am guilty of reading my Blackberry while driving.  I don’t normally text until I am at a stoplight (or on a long straight stretch of road, of which Montana has plenty).

I’ve never had an accident that was my fault (knock on wood).  Critics will read that last sentence and say Ol’ Jack is running out of luck.

Maybe so.  I am also running out of life too, but I try not to think about it.

All heck must have broken loose when vehicles started coming off the assembly line with AM radios way back when.   Continue reading →