Welcome to the first “Caught My Eye” of April and, overall, the 140th “Caught My Eye” column from The Western Word.  Epic!

We’re here every Friday – even through the rain, the snow, the sunshine, or the Montana Legislature…

Since it’s Friday, that means it is time to let your hair down, loosen that tie, and unbutton that top button.

So what is “Caught My Eye?”  It’s the column where I take a quick look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week.  Often I throw in some sarcasm just to make you smile.

Today I write about the Baucus reelection tour, Down goes Williams, Referendums, Cadets, SB 107, North Korea, Unemployment, Tricare, Rutgers, Manatee Gray, Marijuana, birthdays, and much more!

Max Baucus & Jobs:

U.S. Senator Max Baucus is on his Reelection Jobs Tour around the state which is like his homecoming to Montana. This is where he is reintroduced to the voters prior to his next election.

The media eats it up.

You have to hand it to Baucus; he’s very good at politics and campaigning. Or, maybe everyone who has run against him is that bad.

Down Goes Williams:

Former Congressman Pat Williams was not confirmed by the Montana State Senate to be a member of the Board of Regents. The vote was 23 for and 26 against.

Williams sent an apology letter to senators, but he should have sent it sooner – like right after the “thug” remark he made about members of the University of Montana football team to the New York Times.

See ya…

Referendums:

The Republicans in the Montana Legislature are finding a way around dealing (compromising) with Democratic Governor Steve Bullock: Referendums. While we don’t know how many referendums will make the 2014 ballot, if you still go to polls to vote, you might want to plan on making an afternoon of it.

If you vote in Great Falls, snacks and water will probably be provided at the polls by Democratic candidates and elected officials. Some will be easily identified by their nametags…

As for the 2014 Montana Voter Guide, we may be able to use it as a weight for workouts. Also, there may not be many trees left after it is printed.

SB 107:

SB 107 was tabled by the Montana House Judiciary Committee Thursday. The vote was 12-8. If passed the bill would “Generally revise deviate sexual conduct laws.”

Do the Republicans in the Montana Legislature realize it is 2013?

Cadets Suspended:

From the you have to be kidding me file, the Helena Independent Record reported that “Eleven cadets in the Montana Law Enforcement Academy were suspended last month, two weeks before graduation, after a dormitory gun battle with guns that shoot foam projectiles sent one cadet to the hospital with an eye injury.”

I think they should have to memorize “This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.”

Just think – One of these “cadets” may end up being a sheriff and deciding what laws are constitutional in Montana…

It’s too bad they did not release the names of those involved so we can duck when they pull us over.

March Unemployment Rate:

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “Nonfarm payroll employment edged up in March (+88,000), and the unemployment rate was little changed at 7.6 percent.” Last month the unemployment rate was 7.7 percent.

There were not a lot of jobs added and that should concern our leaders.

North Korea:

With North Korea moving missiles around their country and, by most accounts, having some sort of nuclear weapon, it might be a good thing for the United States not to play the strategic arms reduction game for awhile.

In fact, it might be better to tout the fact that the good guys have nuclear bases like Malmstrom in Montana, Minot in North Dakota, and F.E. Warren in Wyoming, plus we have planes, subs, and ships that carry nukes. So if Kim Jong Un tries any silly stuff, we can deliver. The first one will be there in about 30 minutes. If not, the next one is free.

Tricare:

USA Today reported that “An estimated 620,000 Pentagon health care recipients” are having problems finding doctors who will accept them as patients because they use Tricare – the health care program for service members.

Servicemembers don’t need this added worry when they are deployed. Come on…

Maybe Tricare officials should hire some marketing specialists to promote the plan, and make it easier for the civilian doctors to be reimbursed.

Rutgers Basketball Coach:

The jerk of the week award has to go to Mike Rice who was the Rutgers basketball coach when a video of him verbally and physically abusing his players was released.

Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden (10-time National Champion) is probably shedding a tear or two in heaven after seeing this…

Legalize Marijuana:

A new Pew Research Poll shows that “52% say that the use of marijuana should be made legal while 45% say it should not.”

Dude…

Manatee Gray:

Hello Target stores – According to this story, “Target is apologizing for describing the color of a plus-size dress ‘manatee gray.’ The label for the same color dress in smaller sizes says ‘dark heather gray.’”

Whoops.

Manatees are large mammals – here’s a photo. They have also been called “sea cows.”

Happy Birthday:

Agnetha Fältskog of ABBA fame turns 63. Since it is Friday, take a few minutes to listen to “Take a Chance on Me.”

Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry turns 46. Watch “She Couldn’t Change Me” to make your Friday go by just a little more quickly.

One More Thing:

Don’t forget to stretch…

 

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