Brown (Version 2.0)

It looks like Republican Roy Brown of Billings will take on Brian Schweitzer for Governor according to the “reporting” of Jim Gransbery of the Billings Gazette. The blog, Montana Headlines, broke the story yesterday afternoon (beat Gransbery).

I believe Roy Brown will be competitive against Schweitzer – more competitive than the other Brown (Bob), who lost to Schweitzer in 2004.

It seems like most of the candidates are coming out of Billings these days: Roy Brown, Bill Kennedy, Michael Lange, Kirk Bushman, and Denny Rehberg. I don’t know where Max Baucus lives.

Do Nothing

The President gave a speech this morning to let America know that the Democrats, who are in charge of Congress, are doing nothing. So far no Appropriations bills have been passed by Congress and signed into law. It’s been 20 years since it has taken this long. 20 years.

By the way, if you’ve seen a press release from Tester/Baucus touting funding for a project, don’t pop the cork on that Champaign bottle just yet. It’s not a done deal. Besides, neither is on the appropriations committee to do much about it.

The President also let America know that the Democrats want to raise taxes, which was far from a secret.

Goodbye Missiles

The Great Falls Tribune is reporting that 15 of the 50 missiles scheduled for removal have been removed from the missile complex at Malmstrom AFB. Now the communities are attempting to land some grants to help with the transition.

About 500 personnel will be lost. I think it’s more. A little over $3.2 million in operational funding will be lost. Of course, those 500 people will no longer be spending their money in Montana. Their spouses won’t be working in the community, and the thousands of hours these people volunteered in the community will be lost.

The Western Word worries that this may only be the beginning of the end for Malmstrom AFB. The “powerful” Finance Committee chairman can’t stop it. But, in 10-20 years, they may replace the base with a Coal to Liquid plant…yeah, that’s the ticket!

Heartbreak in Colorado

The Rockies lose in four games, so to take your mind off the loss; you turn your attention to the Broncos as they are playing on Monday night. The Broncos tie the game on a field goal at the end of the game. Then, on the first play in overtime Brett Favre throws an 82 yard touchdown pass to win the game. Ouch. I smiled. I yelled. I was in a sports bar. I am not a Broncos fan.