Welcome to another Monday!  To give you something to look forward to there’s a three-day weekend waiting at the end of this week for many of you!  So “hang on!”

The Western Word (TWW) will be with you each and every day throughout the week providing you with that independent commentary you’ve come to love and enjoy!  I promise we will get through this week together.

If you are a new visitor to TWW, “Monday Morning Politics” is where I put together several of the political stories from the past weekend all in one place for your reading pleasure.  I also offer some commentary about these stories often laced with just a little snarkiness…

Today I write about stopping the new START, Earmarks, the seventh ad from Tester, backing Montana, the Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, three of the seven, the University of Montana mess, Alzheimer’s, Vandals, thrice bitten, and much more!

Rehberg – Stop New START:

Back in December 2010, I wrote about my concerns with the new Start Treaty saying, “It’s easy to say that a vote for the new Start Treaty by Senators Baucus and Tester is basically a vote against the future of Malmstrom AFB, but on a much bigger scale, it is a vote against the future security of our Nation.”  I went on to say, “The Treaty needs more debate and there are several questions that need answered.”

By a vote of 71-26 (Baucus/Tester voted Yea) the U.S. Senate gave its advice and consent to ratification of the treaty on December 22, 2010.  I believed we gave up the farm in the negotiations with Russia (and I still do)

On Friday, Congressman Rehberg sent me a press release saying that he had “successfully offered an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to protect Malmstrom Air Force Base by prohibiting funds from being used for the reduction of America’s nuclear forces unless the Secretary of Defense certifies that reductions in Russia’s nuclear arsenal are necessary for them to comply with New START.”

That’s a good move by Rehberg.  Sadly, the amendment probably won’t get too far in the U.S. Senate, which is controlled by the Democrats – that is unless Max Baucus and/or Jon Tester take up the cause to actually fight for the security of our nation…

Earmarks:

A few years ago Washington, D.C. politicians touted how much funding they brought home and that they were “delivering” for their state.  Not so much these days.

Roll Call takes a look at how the earmark ban has changed campaign strategy in this story mentioning, “Sen. Jon Tester, in a tough race in Montana, has released nearly a half-dozen ads playing up his positive personal attributes and Montana roots but not the money he’s brought to the state.”

Having a seat on the Appropriations Committee is not that powerful these days…

New Tester Ad:

The Jon Tester for Senate Campaign has their seventh campaign ad up and this one is about Tester’s relationship with severely injured Marine Lance Cpl. Thomas “Tomy” Parker, from Ronan, Montana.  It is titled, “Fighting for Veterans: Jon & Tomy.”

You can watch the ad HERE.

Like I have mentioned several times, the veterans’ vote in Montana will be very important in the 2012 U.S. Senate race.  With all the veterans’ ads being run by Tester, it appears he has listened to me.

Backing Montana:

The Associated Press reports, “Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia are backing Montana in its fight to prevent the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision from being used to strike down state laws restricting corporate campaign spending.”

This will be interesting to watch and it gives Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock, who is running for Governor, some free publicity…

Three Out of Seven:

According to a story from Lee Newspapers, “Just three of the seven Democrats running for Montana’s open U.S. House seat showed up Saturday evening for the primary’s final public debate.”

Candidates Diane Smith, Rob Stutz, and Jason Ward showed up in Helena Saturday afternoon to participate in the forum that was hosted by the Helena Indian Alliance.

Maybe it’s the quality not quantity that counts!  I wonder if the Helena area primary voters will hold the lack of participation against the four missing candidates…

Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus:

It looks like I’ve found a little bipartisanship in the U.S. Senate!  According to this story, Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Richard Burr (R-NC), both members of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, sponsored a resolution that proclaimed Friday, July 13, “Collector Car Appreciation Day.”

Now that is getting stuff done!  Vroom, vroom…

University of Montana Mess:

Gwen Florio of the Missoulian Newspaper is doing a tremendous job covering the University of Montana and Missoula in regards to the sexual assault allegations.  Read the latest HERE and then read the “related stories” section next to that story.

Over at the blog 4&20 blackbirds “jhwygirl” puts it all in perspective and at Intelligent Discontent, Don Pogreba writes, “It’s Time for People To Be Fired In Missoula.”

The newest information is what was discovered from a Freedom of Information Act request that the Missoulian and the Wall Street Journal filed to obtain e-mails.  The e-mails are pretty damaging to the University.

They need to clean house at the University and maybe downtown, too.

Vandals:

According to this story, Congressman Rehberg’s Billings District office was vandalized once again.  This is the third time his state (taxpayer-funded) offices have been vandalized.

How do we know this?  The act is reported in the news which may even cause copycat crimes.  Like I said last time, the only person being harmed by this cowardly act is the owner of the building who may see his/her building insurance premiums increased or even cancelled.

Supposedly, a security camera has been ordered.

I’m thinking they should place a claymore mine near the building armed with hard rubber balls, or paint balls with permanent ink…(this is a joke, people).

Alzheimer’s:

The Great Falls Tribune published a story on Sunday about former Montana Attorney General Joe Mazurek and his battle with Alzheimer’s.  It also appeared in several other newspapers.

It is a very sad and touching story.  Mazurek is just 63 years old.  My prayers go out to him and his family during this difficult time.

Sympathy Vote:

According to this story, “A woman running for the Michigan Legislature was bitten by a dog while going door to door.”  Three times.

The good news is that the woman was able to put a campaign sign in the yard…

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