Faithful Readers: Here at The Western Word, which has been in existence since January 2005, I have never allowed anyone to guest post on this blog.  Comments are always welcome as long as they abide by my rules.  I usually say “get your own blog” and I have even told a few elected officials who wanted to “guest post” no thanks.

Until today.

A fellow veteran (veterans always take priority in my book) whom I have known for years asked me to post his comments.  Since it was too long for a letter to the editor in the local newspaper, I decided to allow it ( I doubt they would have printed it if it had been within the 250 word limit, anyway).

So sit back and enjoy this commentary from my friend and fellow veteran, the Rocket Rancher.

Dying to be a Republican?

A few weeks ago I noticed that the Great Falls Tribune placed Denny Rehberg’s re-election campaign notice in with the obituaries.  I thought that was kind of odd since they dedicated a large and prominent front page space the same day to some trivial comments by Jon Tester.  Last weeks announcement from Denny’s Montana office that his State Director was leaving to start up his own business got the same exact treatment in the same exact spot on the Obituary page.  One time is forgivable, but twice is telling and mean spirited.

I hope the people of Great Falls and surrounding area realize that the Tribune is not balanced or even fair in their reporting of the news and events in this area.  They have a strong, anti-conservative agenda and are now going out of their way to promote those issues and hamper anyone who would be a threat to their view of the way things should be.  I have also noted that it does not pay to offend or cross swords with anyone with close ties to the Tribune’s local management.  If you need an example, just look at how the Tribune is treating Cynthia Schultz.  They are making her out to be the problem and doing everything they can to place her side of the story in a bad light.  Ever wonder why there are only negative comments being allowed on the airport stories on their web site?

It is a sad state of affairs when a media outlet such as the Tribune is solely focused on liberal causes to the exclusion of other ideas and in many cases the whole truth.  Now they are going out of their way to jab at the other side at every opportunity they get.  What is worse is that many people in this area do not see the Tribune for what it is.  It is not fair in its reporting, shows considerable bias in its opinions, and is more important to know someone at the Trib than to be on the right side of the issue.

I guess I’m just “dying to be a republican” in the center of a liberal love fest between the Tribune, their special friends and left leaning causes.

Rocket Rancher, Great Falls MT