Welcome to Friday and my weekly column called “Caught My Eye” where I take a look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week.  I also offer some commentary about each – often with a little sarcasm mixed in.

Today is the first day of Fall (that’s Autumn for my more cultured readers) which means winter is not too far behind – but it’s still Friday so smile!

Today is a special “Caught My Eye” because I talk about last night’s Republican Presidential debate in Florida. I also have some birthday wishes, some news about the satellite, football, a possible new TV show, I take a peek inside my political inbox, I write about chicken or fish, plus meeting with Montana’s Max.  There’s a bunch more, so read on…

Keep your head up…

The good news (besides it being Friday) is that if you live in North America, then the experts are now saying the satellite plunging to earth will probably hit somewhere else.  The Associated Press reports, “26 large metal chunks – the largest about 300 pounds – are expected to survive, hit and scatter somewhere on the planet.”

I still think you should take the day off just in case…

The Republican Debate In Florida:

About halfway through the Republican debate last night, I asked myself why I was watching it.  These debates have become boring and I’m growing a little tired of Perry/Romney.

The debate was again a two-person show (frontrunner Gov. Rick Perry and wannabe Gov. Mitt Romney) with all the other candidates attempting to get some attention. Neither Perry nor Romney landed the knockout blow.  I have Perry winning the debate with Romney second.  Perry is getting hit from all sides and has managed to stay on his feet.  Nobody else really distinguished themselves enough to get a solid third.  Some folks did say that Jon Huntsman did well and is coming on.

I don’t know (or care) when the next debate is; I hope the folks who are in charge of it cut about half the “contestants” so we can hear more from the “contenders.”  I was Tweeting my comments during the debate, so if you want to read my thoughts during the debate on Twitter, go to my timeline @TheWesternWord.

Happy Birthday:

-Rocker Bruce Springsteen turns 62 years old today.

-Former Kansas City Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer is 68.

-Former Seinfeld actor Jason Alexander is 52.

Da Bears:

ESPNChicago.com is reporting that the 1985 Chicago Bears will finally get to visit the White House in October.

ESPN also reports, “The original celebration was called off after the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger plunged the nation into a state of mourning two days after the Bears defeated the New England Patriots 46-10 in New Orleans.”

The story was probably broken when someone overheard that the White House was stockpiling food for William “The Refrigerator” Perry….

New Television Show?

This lady has two uteruses and she had twins – one from each uterus.  Needless to say there are very high odds against this happening.

To my friends in Iowa reading this column, Uterus is not a planet…

I’m thinking a reality show on TLC right after Kate Plus 8 or after Toddlers & Tiaras…

Living At Home:

The Associated Press reports that “roughly 5.9 million Americans 25-34 last year lived with their parents, an increase of 25 percent from before the recession.”

They also reported, “In record-setting numbers, young adults struggling to find work are shunning long-distance moves to live with Mom and Dad, delaying marriage and buying fewer homes, often raising kids out of wedlock.”

Wonderful…

Commercial (More “Caught My Eye” follows):

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And, for the latest commentary about politics, sports, the media, and current events, follow me on Twitter @TheWesternWord.

Now, back to Caught My Eye…

My Political Inbox:

With the fall season starting today, the campaign season heats up and we’re still over a year from the November 2012 general election. That means there will be more campaign commercials airing and there will be fliers hitting the mailbox (if we still have mail service) and hitting our e-mail inbox.  Just about every week for this column I select a few e-mails that “Caught My Eye” from the politicians and groups and share them with my readers.  Sometimes I poke some fun at them.

-The Rick Hill for Governor campaign keeps singing the same “tune” about jobs.  This week they sent an e-mail called “Last place” saying, “Of the states in the Rocky Mountain region, all have experienced job gains this year…except Montana and Idaho.  Forgive me if I’m starting to sound like a broken record…”

Please, go ahead and sound like one…

–Jim Messina, Campaign Manager for Obama for America, sent an e-mail with the subject “Class Warfare” writing, “This morning, the President proposed the “Buffett Rule,” which would require those earning more than $1 million a year to pay the same share of their income in taxes as middle-class families do.”

He continues, “The other side is already saying it’s “class warfare” — that’s their rhetorical smokescreen for providing millionaires and billionaires special treatment.”

I wanna be a billionaire so freaking bad…so I can be more like Warren Buffett…only younger!

-The Montana Democratic Party sent an e-mail with the subject, “VIDEO: Montana Democrats United for Victory in 2012” in which they write, “Our Convention in Great Falls last weekend was a great success. Democrats from across the state gathered to stand up for the values that make Montana a great place to live and work.”

They go on to show clips from several Democrats speaking at the convention.  You can watch it HERE.

Of all the Democrats in the video, Denise Juneau is heads and tails the best. JMHO (Just My Humble Opinion).

-The Steve Bullock for Governor campaign sent an e-mail with the subject, “Copper Kings, Corporations and You” in which he writes, “Tomorrow I’ll be in front of our state Supreme Court defending this century old-ban against a challenge brought by a secretive, out-of-state group.  Ever since Montanans stood up to the Copper Kings, Montana has been a place where people, not corporations, choose our leaders.”

Frankly, I kind of expected something more from Bullock for his first campaign e-mail.

Hot Sauce:

Every time I read about Taco Bell, I think of Senator Jon Tester.  I just imagine him munching down a few dozen tacos and burritos after going through a Taco Bell drive-thru on one of his taxpayer-funded excursions around the state.  He chases them with Utz Cheese Balls.  Then he screams, with sauce running down his cheeks and lettuce on his shirt, “Where’s the freaking Montana beef in this taco?”

Anyway, back to reality:  This dude was ticked that the Taco Bell folks failed to put hot sauce in his drive thru order and he came back with a shotgun.  Not smart.  He was already a convicted felon.  Goodbye…

I’ve been upset when McDonalds failed to put ketchup packets in my order, but not that mad…

Do You Have your QR Code?

I do.  Scan this one with your phone (It’s safe): 

Meet Montana’s Max:

Montana’s senior senator, Max Baucus, says he wants to reduce the number of meetings he attends and meet just with Montanans.  Politico reports that Baucus said, “I think it’s important to reduce meetings — there are frankly a lot of people in Montana that I meet with and I will still meet with them. They are my people. That’s essentially what I’m limiting my time to: Montanans.”

Politico also reports about Baucus, “The move is in striking contrast to how he and his staff operated during the health care debate at the end of last year — underscoring the immense pressure members on the supercommittee are under to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest as they try to slash government spending.”

Some of his “super committee” members have cut down on fundraisers.  I don’t think Montana’s Max has. I remember when James Carville said, “Drag a hundred dollars through a trailer park and there’s no telling what you’ll find.”  I think you could say that about Washington D.C., except now it takes a little more than a $100 to get your elected officials’ attention.

Chicken and Love

Jealously and love can do weird things to people.  Take this man from Denver, who put raw chicken in his ex-wife’s heating vents in her home, erased her hard drive, and destroyed her piano.

Putting a dead fish in her car’s door panel would have been funny, too.  Just sayin…

Important:

Don’t forget to stretch…