Tag Archives: Montana politics

Caught My Eye…

Welcome to the last Friday of February! Get ready – next Friday is “Sequestration Day 2013.” I wonder if the House and the Senate are taking it off…

If this is your first time visiting The Western Word, the “Caught My Eye” column 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 some sarcasm just to make you smile. So get ready to head into your weekend armed with knowledge and a smile.

Today I write about Sequestration, A Facebook Photo, Brian Schweitzer, Identical Letters, Live Every Moment, and much more!

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Caught My Eye…

TGIF faithful readers! We are now 46 days from Election Day and some campaigns are in panic mode!

If this is your first time visiting The Western Word the “Caught My Eye” column is posted every Friday morning right here! It’s 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.

Today I take a look at two new web sites, jobs for veterans, Sportsmen’s Act, the Mercedes Benz fundraiser, Farm Bill, Ann under pressure, distrust in the media, Fox & Friends, Caddyshack, and I pry open my political inbox and share!  There’s a lot more so read on and tell your friends to stop by!

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American Tradition Partnership v. Bullock

You were probably overrun yesterday with news and commentary about Montana’s century-old restrictions on corporate political spending being struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.  There are even more stories today about the decision with some Montana print and television reporters trying their best to explain the ruling.

Here are my thoughts – enjoy!

First of all it was a 1912 law, so it was long past time for it to go…

On Monday, the Supremes (aka: The U.S. Supreme Court) basically slapped Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock across the face along with members of the mostly inept Montana Supreme Court.  The Supremes killed a 1912 Montana law limiting corporate campaign spending right in front of Bullock (and the women and children).  It was a quick and clean kill with little blood.  The vote was a 5-4.  The Montana news took a backseat to Arizona’s issue with immigration.

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Monday Morning Politics

Welcome to another Monday and another week!  I’m happy you made it!

Have no fear, The Western Word (TWW) will be with you each and every day throughout the week providing you with that independent commentary you’ve come to love and enjoy!  I promise we will get through this week together.

If you are a new visitor to TWW, “Monday Morning Politics” is where I put together several of the political stories from the past weekend all in one place for your reading pleasure.  I also offer some commentary about these stories often laced with just a little snarkiness…

Today I write about the Montana Democrats Platform convention, birth control, executions, the University of Montana and Veterans, Venus and the Sun and Rehberg, Greenwood’s write in candidacy, Siri and Siri, hit and run, and much more so read on…

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Politics 2012: Primary Election Day in Montana!

If you stop to think about it we are very fortunate to live in a country where we get to vote for the candidate we choose – or we don’t even have to vote.  That is a pretty darn nice choice we’re given.

It’s a right that many brave people have fought and died for over the years.

Freedom.  Liberty.  Patriotism.  These are a few of the things I think about when I am marking my ballot.  I’m not really thinking about the campaign ads or the money spent on the election or lobbyists or beef or baloney.  It’s me making the choice I like.

Speaking of choices, they were really tough this year because there are so many great candidates on both ballots (Montana law requires that you pick which party you will vote for and only use that ballot in the Primary Election).

Tonight many of the candidates will sleep like babies, meaning they will wake up every couple of hours and start crying…

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Thursday Numbers

The good news is that the weekend is coming, but it just seems to be taking forever to arrive!  So please hang in there, and we’ll slide into the three-day weekend before you know it – and Thursday Numbers will take your mind off the waiting!

If this is your first time visiting The Western Word (TWW), this is my weekly column where I take a look at the numbers mentioned in the news (in descending order) and provide commentary (often laced with sarcasm).

PLEASE NOTE:  By reading “Thursday Numbers” you will probably gain a great deal of knowledge not found on other websites!  You can use this information to impress your family, friends and co-workers, and it might even be life changing – so consider yourself warned…

This week I write about the lottery, SPAM e-mail, unemployment, sludge, YouTube Views, boating safety, Bob Dylan, Priscilla Presley, TWW poll results, the Unabomber, Alan Simpson, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and the happiest countries!  There’s a lot more!

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Montana Governor 2012: A Scandal!

One of the last things any of the Republican candidates for Montana Governor needed now that we are within 45 days until the June 5 primary is a scandal.  It appears that the Ken Miller for Governor Campaign got just that – call it an April surprise!

The Great Falls Tribune broke the story yesterday about the Miller campaign being accused of “misreporting funds, accepting campaign donations over the statutory contribution limits, accepting anonymous donations and failing to disclose certain campaign expenditures.”  The accusations were reportedly made by Miller’s former finance director, Kelly Bishop of Polson.

By the way, I applaud the Great Falls Tribune for breaking the story, and also I give the Tribune a high-five for actually showing the correct photo of Ken Miller this time.     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 →