Woohoo – another Friday and with Independence Day coming up next week, it’s time to get in full summertime fun time mode!  This column has the info you need to slide into your weekend and holiday armed with knowledge and a smile!

If this is your first time visiting The Western Word (TWW), the “Caught My Eye” column is posted every Friday morning right here!  Here is where I take a quick look at some of the stories I did not have time to write or comment about during the week – and I often throw in a touch of sarcasm just to make you smile…

NOTICE: Before proceeding please understand that everyone and everything is fair game…

Today I write about the U.S. Supreme Court, the healthcare law, the Montana delegation’s response, the blown media coverage, Cantor’s scheduled vote, the Holder vote and the circus, I share e-mails from my political inbox, PTSD, the independent thinker, the Stolen Valor Act, changing names, and much more…SCOTUS on Healthcare:

As with most people I was surprised by the U.S. Supreme Court’s (SCOTUS) 5-4 ruling that upheld the healthcare law (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act).  It was also surprising that Chief Justice John Roberts (Bush appointee) sided with the liberal side of the court and gave them the victory.  You really never know what you’ll get with a Justice on any given day – they are indebted to no one – unlike members of Congress.  It was a historical decision.

Republican Congressman (and Senate candidate) Denny Rehberg issued a statement saying, “This fight is a long way from over because the Constitution gives final authority to We the People on election day.  Despite this ruling made possible with the help of two freshly confirmed Obama appointees, this law has got to go.”

This decision may actually help Rehberg and Romney have an issue…get ready to hear the word “taxes” a lot over the next few months….

Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Tester (who is running against Rehberg) issued a statement: “I’m pleased the Supreme Court has validated Congress’ work to ensure access to health care for all Montanans.”  He went on to add, “Today’s ruling doesn’t mean this responsible, constitutional law can’t be improved.”

Now he must defend his votes by telling Montanans why it’s good for them…

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator, Democrat Max Baucus said in a statement, “Thousands of Montana families, grandparents, young adults and kids can breathe a little easier today knowing they get to keep the cost savings and protections they have because of the health care law.  Our veterans and workers are now assured they’ll be able to see a doctor when they need to.  Today is a victory for the people of Montana.”

Baucus had little to lose – now he can claim success…

In my opinion, it would be nice if Congress would work together to make this law stronger – but they are more concerned about winning their next reelection and getting control of the Congress and the White House.  Many are millionaires and don’t face the struggles the rest of us do.

Lee Newspapers takes a look at what this decision means to Montana.  Click HERE.  Hint:  The sky is not falling…

The Associated Press has listed who they think the winners and losers are in the health care issue HERE.

Blown SCOTUS Coverage:

Imagine you are CNN or FOX News and you prep for this big historical day and it comes.  You then give your viewers the wrong information.  CNN and FOX News crashed and burned.  Big time.

One organization that got it right was a BLOG.  Yes, a BLOG.  The SCOTUSBlog stood tall among the major news organizations.

Move over major news organizations – Blogs are here and we are relevant!

If CNN and/or FOX would like to hire a communications specialist, e-mail me.  I am available for hire…

Cantor Vote:

Right after being slapped across the face with the ruling, U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor issued a statement saying he has “scheduled a total repeal of ObamaCare to occur on Wednesday, July 11.”

So Cantor gets the stupid statement of the day award.  How did that repeal work out last time, Rep. Cantor?  This vote is nothing but political – no wonder Congress’ favorable ratings are in the toilet.

Cantor is the type of fellow who couldn’t pour water out of a boot with instructions on the heel…

U.S. House Sideshow:

Thursday afternoon the U.S. House of Representatives cited Attorney General Eric Holder for contempt of Congress.  It was a political circus – a soap opera.  Many Democrats walked out during the vote.

This vote set back finding out what really happened during Fast and Furious by months if not years and once again we see people in Congress, like Rep. Darrell Issa (R), playing politics.  Wednesday night one of Issa’s henchmen, Rep. John Mica (R), showed very poor statesmanship during his appearance on CNN and MSNBC.

Mica seems to be missing a few buttons on his remote control…

Attorney General Eric Holder issued a statement about the vote.  You can read it HERE.  It is worth the read…

Jack’s Political Inbox:

Every week I receive e-mails from candidates, elected officials, and/or groups (from all political parties) promoting a cause, many just hoping they get mentioned (in a kind and gentle way) on The Western Word website!  I select a few each week that “Caught My Eye” and share them with my readers.  This week most of the e-mails are about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the health care law.  I picked five that I think you will enjoy…

-The Montana Republican Party sent me a statement with the subject, “MT GOP Statement on SCOTUS Ruling” which said, “Max Baucus helped write Obamacare, while Jon Tester cast the deciding vote for it.  This was done without listening to the overwhelming majority of Montanans who rejected Obamacare and the tax increases contained within it.  A full repeal of this job-killing, budget-busting legislation can only be achieved by electing Mitt Romney and Denny Rehberg, leaders who are committed to reforms that actually lower healthcare costs for Montana families.”

We’ll be hearing the “tax increase” line for the next few months.  To help the GOP just about every three minutes FOX News is saying your taxes will be raised…

-Melanie Brock from the Friends of Steve Bullock campaign sent me an e-mail with the subject, “If You’re Like Me” in which she said, “Today, Congressman Rick Hill said if he were Governor, he would “address” the cost of health care.  As an insurance executive, a lobbyist and a Congressman, Mr. Hill has had plenty of opportunities to ‘address’ health care.”

Being called an “insurance executive” and a “lobbyist” is getting downright nasty…

-The Mitt Romney for President Campaign sent me three e-mails with the subject, “Supreme Court ruling on Obamacare” saying, “Today, the Supreme Court upheld Obamacare.  But regardless of what the Court said about the constitutionality of the law, Obamacare is bad medicine, it is bad policy, and when I’m President, the bad news of Obamacare will be over.”  He then asked me to send him $10 to help out.

Romney raised about $4.2 million after the Supreme Court decision was handed down and even with his vast personal wealth and his campaign money, he still can’t buy a personality…

-The Barack Obama for President Campaign sent me an e-mail with the subject, “Say you’re with me” in which he said, “This is a good day for millions of Americans who can continue to benefit from the protections and economic security provided by the Affordable Care Act.  While the Supreme Court’s decision should put to rest the debate over health care, Mitt Romney and the Republicans in Congress just can’t take yes for an answer.”

In a perfect world, Mr. President, everyone would hug after the announcement and sing a song…

-Erik Iverson, the Campaign Manager for the Denny Rehberg Campaign, sent me an e-mail with the subject, “It’s all in your hands…” writing, “The fight is just beginning.  And victory is up to you.  The Supreme Court’s decision today on President Obama and Senator Tester’s health care law is disappointing to say the least — but it also makes it more important than ever that we elect new leadership to both the Senate and the White House.”

Rehberg seems to be having some bad days recently…which reminds me of the song, “Bad Day” and the lyrics, “Because you had a bad day, you’re taking one down…You sing a sad song just to turn it around…You say you don’t know, you tell me don’t lie…You work at a smile and you go for a ride…You had a bad day, the camera don’t lie..”

Just One Day:

As many folks read Wednesday here at The Western Word, that day was set aside as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day (PTSD).  Karen Bohlinger, who is the wife of Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger, noted her son’s struggles with PTSD in a guest opinion that was sent to several newspapers around the state.

Ms. Bohlinger decided to use this day and space on the opinion page to attack Congressman Denny Rehberg for a vote he supposedly made in the U.S. House, while praising Montana’s senators, especially Rehberg’s opponent, Senator Jon Tester.

I guess in a perfect world we would stop the political one-upmanship for at least the day so we could raise the awareness about PTSD.  Just-one-day!  As a veteran, I know more than most that we don’t live in a “perfect world” so I was disappointed that Ms. Bohlinger used her “space” on the opinion page to bring the disgusting odor of politics into veterans’ healthcare.

I salute Karen Bohlinger’s son for his service to our country… 

Stolen Valor Act:

SCOTUS on Thursday struck down a federal law called the Stolen Valor Act.  The Act prohibits a person from falsely claiming that he/she has been awarded a military honor.

So it’s OK to lie about military awards, medals, and honors – it’s freedom of speech.

U.S. Senator Jon Tester issued a statement:

“Courageous military heroes earn awards like the Medal of Honor with their actions on the battlefield.  Lying about military service is dishonorable and an insult to the brave men and women of our armed forces.  Today’s decision demonstrates the need for an accessible awards database so we can verify and honor our true American heroes.”

Hopefully Congress will get to work and make a law that passes the freedom of speech test and makes lying about one’s military medals and awards against the law. 

Independent Thinker:

The Wall Street Journal’s Opinion page had an interesting piece on Wednesday about Congressman Denny Rehberg and the ad done by the Montana Republican Party that says Rehberg is an “independent thinker.”  They closed out the opinion saying, “What’s the point of electing Republicans like Mr. Rehberg if they’re going to vote like Democrats and block reform in the 113th Congress?  Better to let Mr. Tester keep the seat, if only for truth in advertising.”

I wonder what they say about people they don’t like…

Name Change:

Proving that some of the most highly educated people in Montana do dim-witted things, Montana State University Great Falls is changing their name to Great Falls College Montana State University (GFCMSU).  The expense of making these changes must be pretty steep.  Maybe the regents will chip in part of their salaries to pay for the changes?

The University of Great Falls (UGF) was not happy with the change and neither am I.  One ironic thing is the UGF (formerly named College of Great Falls) donated the land which MSU-Great Falls sits.  That’s classy MSU, classy.

MSU-Great Falls is what it will be called in my book – unless I call it the Vo-Tech…

Return your books:

According to this story, “A New Mexico woman was arrested and spent a night in jail for not returning the book ‘Twilight’ and two-DVD set ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’ back to the library on time.”

New Mexico is tough on crime…

One More Thing:

Don’t forget to stretch…