I think this past week could be described as “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore” week.

The Republicans have a slight pulse after the election in Massachusetts.  The Supreme Court opens up the bank for candidates with their decision, and there’s much more to write about, like PTSD, snow, movies and music!

Massachusetts:

OK, the GOP candidate won.  It is not the beginning nor is it the end of the world.  It did change the landscape in Washington.  By the way, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell did not have anything to do with the Brown victory.

It’s amazing what can happen when a candidate gets out and about, meets people and campaigns hard.  Hard work pays off in campaigns.  You can’t sit on your butt and expect any race to be handed to you.

The Supremes:

In short, the Supreme Court removed the limits of corporate campaign donations.  Corporations have free-speech rights.  Imagine that.  You can read about the decision HERE.  I think there’s enough support from these groups to help both sides of the political aisle.  Most Republicans liked it; most Democrats did not.

PTSD:

The Great Falls Tribune’s Sunday paper had a pretty good story about PTSD screening.  Personally, I’m glad they have this program in place for the troops – and I’m glad the Guard in Montana has finally taken notice that PTSD is a problem.

It appears they did not always take PTSD seriously.  After one member committed suicide, that soldier’s father said, “…the National Guard threatened his son with military discipline if he didn’t continue to attend his monthly drills, but it never sent anyone out to ask what was wrong.”

Haiti:

Does anyone think the USA’s response to Haiti is mirroring the poor response to Katrina?  It does not appear the help is getting to where it’s needed.  Sad.  Pray for the folks in Haiti and those trying to help.  In watching the cable news coverage of the earthquake in Haiti, CNN is far and above the best in my humble opinion.

Snow:

When I was younger, I worked for a city street department in the Midwest.  I think there were about six of us.  When a snowstorm hit, we plowed the streets.  A couple of us kept the main roads to the hospital and other important places open.  The rest of us plowed all the roads within 12 hours of the snow starting to fall.  We had about 100 miles of roads within the city.  The areas that were considered emergency snow routes had snow picked up and removed with 24 hours.  Good overtime pay!

Here in Montana, for some reason they don’t plow the side streets.  I have lived in the same location for 10-15 years and never have I seen a snowplow come down my avenue.  I guess they feel they can’t afford to spend the money.  So to the cities that don’t plow the less traveled streets, you get the “You Suck” award.

As I twittered yesterday, it is probably the same basis for not placing stop/yield signs at all intersections: To save money.  I guess they think, “We’ll put a sign up after someone dies there.”  Again, you get the “You Suck” award.

Movies:

I don’t go to the movie theater very often because the service is terrible, it’s dirty, it costs too much, and the last time I went, the movie started 40 minutes later than advertised (probably because someone forgot to hit the start button).

I watch movies at home.  So here are three you should watch if you like movies about the military:

Taking Chance:  It’s a movie about the work that goes into bringing a Marine home after he was killed in Iraq.  The Marine’s name is Chance Phelps.  Very touching.

The Hurt Locker: It’s a story about an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team in Iraq.  Enlightening.

Brothers at War:  Two brothers were serving in the military and went to Iraq.  The older brother went there to document their service.  As the synopsis says, “BROTHERS AT WAR provides a rare look at the bonds and service of our soldiers on the frontlines and the profound effects their service has on the loved ones they leave behind.”

MUSIC:

If you are going to buy one CD this year, you should purchase “Signals Through Your Stereo” by The Hope Movement.  It’s available at many Hastings stores in the state, as well as on-line at sites like iTunes.  Check it out HERE.

That’s a look at this week.  You should really be following me on Twitter!