There you are – you made it to Friday!  Congratulations!

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 – so get ready to slide into your weekend armed with knowledge and a smile!

Today I talk about campaign airtime, the helium hero, MSNBC and Fox News, a man aisle, Romney’s International Incident, meatless Mondays, first impressions, training camp, the photo of the week, plus I crack open my political inbox and share!  There’s a lot more, so be sure to read on…

 

Campaign Airtime:

National Journal takes a look at the Jon Tester and Denny Rehberg airtime buys in eight media markets in Montana.  They write that Tester and Rehberg “and both parties have bought so much airtime that they could effectively shut out any outside groups that want to influence the Senate race.”  They also talk about how cheap it is.

That means we’ll be hearing a lot of “I’m Denny Rehberg/Jon Tester and I approved this message” and we’ll also see a lot of campaign literature in our mailbox…

Helium Hero:

According to a press release from U.S. Senator Jon Tester, “Montanans need helium for everything from MRI screenings to welding, and Senator Jon Tester is stepping up to ensure that the indispensable gas remains widely available in the Big Sky State.”

Applause!  Who knew that we are on the brink of not having helium?

I knew you could inhale it and then you can talk funny.  Blimps use helium to fly.  What’s a party without helium-filled balloons!

It would have been funny if Tester would have talked about his work to ensure helium was available after inhaling some of it…

This Just In:

A McClatchy-Marist survey found that MSNBC viewers lean to the left and Fox News viewers lean to the right.  There are some other interesting things found in the survey!

I’m glad we got that out of the way…

The Man Aisle:

According to this story from the Los Angeles Times, “Lest men get lost in the feminine hygiene section or the towering array of probiotic yogurts, a New York grocery store has created a testosterone haven: a so-called man aisle stocked with all the goods a dude could desire.”

Epic…

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.  I picked four that I think you will enjoy…

-On Wednesday the Montanans for Tester Campaign sent me an e-mail with the subject, “You won’t believe what Dennis did” in which Deputy Campaign Manager Dayna Swanson writes, “Dennis Rehberg is at it again.  He’s spearheading Washington’s latest effort to deny women access to vital health care.”

I think it’s time to ask that legendary question again, “Congressman Rehberg, who do you think you are?”

-On Tuesday the Obama for America Campaign sent me an e-mail with the subject, “Trust me — you’ll have fun” in which Vice President Joe Biden writes, “Barack’s turning 51 in a couple weeks. And when he goes home to Chicago for a birthday party in his backyard, a couple grassroots supporters like you will be flown in from wherever you live to celebrate.”

Eating barbecue, tater salad, and drinking a keg of cold beer, (plus eating birthday cake) while hanging out with Barack and Joe.  It would be a magical day…

-The Montanans for Rehberg Campaign sent me an e-mail with the subject, “Even worse…” in which Campaign Manager Erik Iverson writes, “Despite being exposed in the Montana press for his false attack ad, liberal Senator Jon Tester continues to play dishonest, cynical political games with a deadly disease — cancer.”  He closes his e-mail with, “Thank you for helping to get the facts out to folks here in Montana, and for everything you’re doing on behalf of our shared values.”

It was nothing Erik Iverson, nothing…

-The Bullock for Montana Governor Campaign sent me an e-mail with the subject, “I need you on my team.” I (almost) jumped with joy that someone asked me to be on their team!  Steve (that’s how he signed the e-mail) also said, “On the eve of the Olympics’ Opening Ceremony, I can appreciate the long hours and teamwork it takes to win. John and I need your help to go for gold in November.  That’s why I’m calling on you to become a part of the ‘Bullock-Walsh Marathon Team’—and commit 26 hours in the next 103 days to volunteer for our team.”

Team Bullock seems to be running a very good campaign so far.  Where did Rick Hill go?

-The Montana Republican Party wasted no time after the two tax votes in the senate on Wednesday to send me an e-mail with another long subject line saying, “Tester once again votes with liberal Democrat leaders to hike taxes on job creators.”  The Montana GOP claims, “As the country faces its 41st straight month of above 8% unemployment, Jon Tester voted yet again to raise taxes on job creators.  Tester’s vote saddles Montana farms, ranches and small businesses with devastating tax increases, as well as a devastating death tax when these operations are passed on to the next generation.”

I think this is right out of Mitch McConnell’s playbook…you know the one that gave Senate Democrats the majority in 2006…

Mitt’s International Incident:

The Associated Press was kind when they said Romney’s overseas trip was “a trip already marked by misstep.”  Romney ticked off the British and he woke to headlines like “Mitt the Twit” “wannabe president” and “Romneyshambles.”  Read more about it HERE.

Romney does not seem ready to lead the USA in the foreign relations department.  The Obama team has to be pleased…

Mitt’s Tax Returns:

Although Romney is out of the USA, his refusal to release more tax returns is following him overseas.  Romney told the Today Show that he won’t release any more taxes saying, “It’s hundreds of pages of documents, and my guess is if you decide to do more and more and more, you just give, if you will, the opposition a chance to distort and twist and be dishonest about more material.’’

Meanwhile, people are wondering what Romney is hiding and if he is trustworthy…

Meatless Mondays:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) retracted their endorsement of “Meatless Mondays” after several lawmakers were angered by it.

The plan was probably a way for the USDA to prepare us for when meat gets too expensive to purchase…

Training Camp Begins:

The Kansas City Chiefs begin their training camp today in St. Joseph, Missouri, which means we are one step closer to the 2012 NFL season!!!

First Impressions:

Former Montana Griz Trumaine Johnson made a great first impression with the St. Louis Rams when he overslept and missed his flight (and the first practice for rookies).

I’m thinking a few 50-yard wind sprints to teach the rookie a lesson.  Then Johnson should give a demonstration on how to operate an alarm clock correctly in front of the whole team…

Pic of the Week:

Enjoy the photo of the unemployed circus clown – go ahead click on it for a Friday laugh…

One More Thing:

Don’t forget to stretch…