Welcome to Black Friday 2011!  I know that some of you have been out most of the night shopping or waiting in line for your favorite store to open.  Hopefully you found what you were looking for.  Me?  I was busy sleeping off the ton of turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie that I consumed yesterday.

I am ready for the leftovers today – but first I need to finish another edition of “Caught My Eye.”  If you are new around here and killing time on your day off, Caught My Eye is my weekly column where I take a look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week.

This week I talk about Montana’s governor, black storm clouds over Great Falls, ESPN3, I peek inside my political inbox and share, I talk about Gumby, a poll, and a lot more!

Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 26 is Small Business Saturday – so help out a small business in your community – shop there!  Here’s the Facebook page for more information.

Feeling Lucky

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer (Democrat) almost always makes me giggle because he is pure comedy – mostly because he angers his opponents so much.  He recently penned his views about the failure of the elected officials in Washington, D.C., and spoke about how Montana’s elected officials work together.  You can read it here.

Sadly, the Governor did not mention the little show he performed when he branded “Veto” on several Republican-sponsored bills – which was comedy genius at work.

Big Black Storm Clouds

Congressman Denny Rehberg (Republican) tells Great Falls Tribune readers, “There’s a storm on the horizon for Great Falls. In the coming years, it will be more important than ever for the Malmstrom support community to come together and find common ground to forge workable solutions.”

Those are big black storm clouds there, Congressman.

Things are not looking too good for Montana’s military.  I’ve written about it several times on this website and I have been on top of this issue long before the Congressman, and many folks on his committee, actually cared.

Thumbs Down

The Helena Independent Record rained on the ESPN3 parade today with thumbs down to the Congressional delegation for getting involved in the call to get ESPN to televise the games:

“Now, we think it’s terrific that our folks in Congress can agree on something — anything — and frankly we’d love to be able to watch the games too. But in the wake of one embarrassing debacle after another in D.C. on the big issues that really matter, we wonder if there aren’t issues that might constitute a better use of these guys’ time?”

Considering I watched an NFL game last night on a two inch screen via Verizon’s NFL Mobile for my Blackberry, I’m happy they got involved – so thumbs down to the Helena Independent Record.

Jack’s Political Inbox

I get most if not all political e-mails here at The Western Word – and I read them.  Almost every week I share a few that caught my attention – and offer some commentary.  Here are four – enjoy!

-The Jon Tester for Senate campaign sent me an e-mail called “The Message Team” in which the campaign manager, Preston Elliott, writes, “I wanted to send you a quick note to let you know about an important program that we’re kicking off over here at Montanans for Tester. It’s called the Message Team — it’s going to be our campaign’s online truth squad, and I hope you’ll be part of it.”

Everything you read here at The Western Word is the truth…so go no further…

-The Friends of Max Baucus (2014) campaign team sent me an e-mail with the subject, “A big job” where he writes, “Montanans get it. That’s why they tell me that now is the time for bold action to create jobs, cut unnecessary spending, and make sure we find a deficit solution in which everyone pays their fair share. And that’s why it’s such an honor to bring those concerns and priorities to everything I do, from the debt committee to the floor of the Senate.”

Baucus needs to have people think he’s running in 2014 or he will become insignificant during the remaining three years of his term – and not be chosen to be on committees that do nothing…

-The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) sent an e-mail with the subject, “Refused” in which they write, “The supercommittee negotiations have failed. Why? Because Republicans simply REFUSED to make billionaires and big corporations lift even one finger to help reduce the debt. In fact, they’re demanding TAX CUTS for their biggest benefactors, the top 1%.”

And the blame game goes on and on and on…

-The Obama for America campaign team sent me an e-mail with the subject, “Who do you want to meet the President?”  This time I can invite a guest to go with me and the campaign folks write, “To be automatically entered right now, make a donation of $3 or whatever you can today.”

Three bucks for two people to meet the President for dinner!  Is this a great country or what?

Gumby Pleads Guilty

Proving that it’s tough for everyone these days, even Gumby pled guilty to misdemeanor burglary.

Equally to Blame

A new Gallup poll tells us that most Americans are not buying that the failure of the Supercommittee is just Republican or Democratic fault, but that “A majority of Americans (55%) believe Republicans and Democrats on the U.S. debt “supercommittee” are equally to blame for its inability to reach an agreement. Those who blame lawmakers on one side more than those on the other are inclined to point the finger at Republicans on the committee rather than Democrats.”

I agree. 

Cash Eater

According to this story, “A Florida couple said they had to force their dog to vomit when the canine ate an envelope containing $1,000 cash.”

I got kind of choked up when I read that story…

Twitter and Subscriptions

You really need to be one of the hundreds of people who follow @TheWesternWord on Twitter!  You can also subscribe to this website and receive columns directly to your e-mail.

Important Notice 

With all the food you’ve been eating and football you’ve been watching, please don’t forget to stretch…