Caught My Eye…

Congratulations – you made it to another Friday!

If this is your first time visiting The Western Word, the “Caught My Eye” column is posted every Friday morning right here – in fact this is about 91st “Caught My Eye” column!  This is where I take a quick look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week – and I often throw in a touch of sarcasm just to make you smile…

ADVISORY:  Everyone and everything is fair game…

Today I write about web advertisements, boogers, polygamy, F-15s, dogs and politics, veterans, Fat Bastard, Planned Parenthood, polls, a Standing Master, plus I share some e-mails from my political inbox!  There’s a lot more!

Continue reading →

Thursday Numbers

Thanks for stopping by and reading Thursday Numbers!  If this is your first time visiting The Western Word (TWW), Thursday Numbers is where I take a look at the numbers mentioned in the news and provide commentary (often with a touch of sarcasm).

ADVISORY:  You will probably gain an immeasurable amount of knowledge by reading this column!  You will probably be able to use this knowledge to impress your family, friends and co-workers!  At least it might be something to use as trivia!  The information might even be life-changing – so consider yourself warned…

This week I write about the internet and advertising, tourism, unemployment, a couple sad days to remember, a great coach, Cinco de Mayo, jail, music in schools, a traffic ticket, new polls, baseball, football, iced tea and much more!

Continue reading →

Earmarks: Just a Memory?

Readers may remember a few years ago that in many U.S. House and U.S. Senate campaigns the candidates ran on the promise that they could deliver the most federal money (some called it “pork’) to their state.  Some politicians even took their state ranking high in pork received as an honor.

Although some called it pork, those receiving the funding used it for some worthwhile projects like fitness centers, homes, and dormitories on military installations.  Earmarks were also used for water projects, interpretive centers, and even for roads, bridges, and skate parks.  There was also some misuse of federal funds.

Back in 2006 during the U.S. Senate race in Montana, challenger Jon Tester was even promised a seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee to help him defeat incumbent Senator Conrad Burns.  Tester won the race and the promise was delivered to Tester by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Congressman Denny Rehberg also gained a seat on the House Appropriations Committee. Continue reading →

Politics 2012: ICBMs, House Money & Packing

Today is Tax Day 2012.  My condolences…

Today on The Western Word I write about the Huffington Post story on Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) and politics, Montana’s U.S. House At-Large money race, going after Daines, blanketing Bullock, packing, talking candidly, and much more.

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Monday Morning Politics

Wow – another week is upon us – welcome to The Western Word!  I actually mowed my yard for the first time on Saturday and it was covered in snow on Sunday.  For you folks who do not live in Montana, I know you are jealous…

If you are “new around these parts” Monday Morning Politics is where I put together several of the political stories from the past weekend, and I offer some commentary with them (often the commentary is dripping with sarcasm).

Today I write about a Buffett (or buffet) rule, Brian and David and Michael, a bounty, a Day in the Life, hearing and listening, wolf, the KKK, the Tea Party, Taxes, a new heart, Clemens, Romney, Rosen, and much more so read on…

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Caught My Eye…

Watch out – today is Friday the 13th.  Maybe you should just take the day off?

Today I am posting the 90th edition of Caught My Eye.  Caught My Eye is posted every Friday morning right here!  In this column I take a quick look at some of the stories I did not have time to comment about during the week – and I often throw in a touch of sarcasm just to make you smile…

ADVISORY:  Everyone and everything is fair game…

Today I write about Tester/Rehberg fundraising, the postal service, the Veterans Administration, planning ahead, Perry v. Schweitzer, rent a celebrity, my book, rocket man, I peek inside my political inbox and share, and there’s a lot more!

Continue reading →

Thursday Numbers

Welcome to Thursday Numbers!  If this is your first time stopping by The Western Word (TWW), Thursday Numbers is where I take a look at the numbers mentioned in the news and provide commentary (often with a touch of sarcasm).

NOTICE:  You will gain an immeasurable amount of knowledge by reading this column!  You will probably be able to use this knowledge to impress your family, friends and co-workers!  At least it might be something to use as trivia!  The information might even be life-changing.  Consider yourself warned…

This week I write about campaign ads, unemployment, Petrino, nude maids, Romney making stuff up, communists and unicorns, birthdays, popular governors, Ann Romney tweets, and much more…

Continue reading →

Politics 2012: Money, Enthusiasm, & Beam Me Up

And just like that you’ve made it to Wednesday, congratulations!  It is downhill to the weekend from here.  I promise the weekend will get here…

Today on The Western Word I write about the money in the Montana Governor and Attorney General’s race, I mention the lack of enthusiasm for Romney (I found a poll to prove it), I write about Rehberg’s belt buckle, I mention a correction, and I take us back to 2002 where we hear from James A. Traficant.  There’s more so read on…

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Politics 2012: Contested!

I happened to see a letter to the editor that appeared in the Great Falls Tribune yesterday from Gary Marbut of Missoula regarding current House District 18 Representative Jesse O’Hara (Republican).  Marbut was not too happy with O’Hara’s votes on gun issues in the last Montana Legislature.  O’Hara is running for re-election.

You can read the letter HERE.

According to this website, Marbut is the President of the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA).  In his letter he throws his support behind Republican Randy Pinocci.  O’Hara and Pinocci will be facing off in the GOP primary in June and the winner will take on Democrat Colter McCarty in the General Election. Continue reading →

Monday Morning Politics

Here we go once again – another Monday!  I hope your Easter was blessed!

For being an Easter weekend, there sure were a lot of political stories.  I’ve managed to put many of them all in one place for you to see.  If you are new to “Monday Morning Politics,” this column is where I take a look at many of the political stories from the past weekend and provide (sometimes snarky) commentary about them.

Today I write about Tester’s new TV ads, Rehberg’s flyers, the F-18 crash, the Governor’s taxes, the Governor’s health clinic, Miller’s photo, candidates and social media, Daines and the GOP field, a personal story about Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes, and much more! Continue reading →