Here are a few things that “caught my eye” this week that I did not have time to comment about:

“Showcase” in San Francisco:

The Great Falls Tribune reported earlier this week that a Cascade County Commissioner, the Great Falls City Manager, the Chair of the Central Montana Defense Alliance and the head of the local Development Authority are heading to San Francisco to “showcase central Montana as an ideal location for additional military missions.”

I have commented many times that it is time for the local community leaders to get out and about to promote the area for future military missions. I am fine with that and salute them for their work. I don’t think the folks attending have much actual military experience to “talk the talk” to those attending the San Francisco conference. The community needs a team attending these conferences (at least a couple of members) that have some actual experience of being in the military instead of just the experience of “playing Army” in their backyards as children.

The Road to Nowhere:

A few weeks ago I commented about a commentary in the Missoula Independent by George Ochenski about Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester. I said, “I guess we know that all hell is breaking loose when a liberal commentator takes on the home team.”

The woes continue for Baucus and Tester. Ochenski is back with a commentary about “The road to nowhere” which is a great read about the debacle of the spending $15 million then cut to $8.5 million for the Port of Whitetail that sees about five cars per day – a project which was applauded and supported by Tester and Baucus.

Here is the best part:

But it’s too late, Jon Boy—the pork is out of the barrel, so to speak, and running all over the front pages.

Here are Tester’s own words, from his campaign debate with Conrad Burns in 2006: “Quite frankly, I don’t support earmarks, period. I’m not for earmarks because they don’t pass public scrutiny with the transparency that our government and forefathers set up.” Judge for yourselves, Montanans, whether that particular campaign promise has been kept.

I can answer that pretty easily: Hell no. No wonder Tester is in full campaign mode over two years out from Election Day 2012.

Charlie:

I have always liked Charlie Rangel. He recently celebrated his 80th birthday and most of the political establishment in New York attended. They understand that if Rangel beats the ethics charges they must have him in their corner to win in New York. Rangel’s speech on the House floor this week addressing those ethics charges was one for the history books. Happy Birthday Charlie!

Friends in Low Places:

If you know someone in Congress, you might send them a sympathy card or something. Hardly anyone likes the job they are doing. Gallup released a poll this week that told us that “Nineteen percent of Americans now approve of the overall job Congress is doing, while 75% disapprove.”

Looks like some folks may be looking for new jobs come November.