Congratulations on making it to another Friday – the last Friday of July.

If you are a first-time visitor, “Caught My Eye” is my weekly column where I take a quick look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week. I often throw in some sarcasm and poke fun at people just to make you smile.

Today I write about five Republicans & Daines, a cheap shot in Missoula, No More Names, campaign signs, Carlos Danger, group labels, Nukemap, birthdays, plus there are two people who are Making Montana Proud this week!

The Five:

Lee Newspapers published a story this week about five Republicans who might consider running for Montana’s lone U.S. House seat if current Congressman Steve Daines runs for U.S. Senate. The five are, “former Secretary of State Brad Johnson of East Helena and Sens. Matt Rosendale of Glendive and Jon Sonju of Kalispell; Rep. Scott Reichner of Bigfork; and former Sen. Ryan Zinke of Kalispell.”

Several of the five know what it’s like to lose a political race, which is always good – it will keep them humble. Still, there are a couple of those five who are just a little too conceited for statewide office, in my humble opinion.

Most political observers I’ve talked to believe Daines is running for the senate. Daines needs to clear up the confusion and make his decision. Daines is young and inexperienced in the political world. Some of the “Godfathers” of the Montana GOP need to pull him aside and make him understand that this is not a time to savor the attention.

Daines needs to understand it’s not all about him…

Cheap Shot:

The No More Names tour to reduce gun violence was in Missoula on Thursday. A few pro-gun people were also there to protest.

The Missoulian newspaper covered the event and reported, “Some of the protesters heckled speakers as they shared personal experiences about how their lives have been affected by gun violence.” They also heckled Carlee Soto, “whose sister was killed in the Newtown, Conn., school massacre in December.”

As Soto was talking about her sister someone in the crowd shouted, “Too bad she didn’t have a gun.”

Those remarks were really distasteful. If that person’s IQ goes up to 40, he/she should sell…

Caught Her Eye:

A friend and frequent reader of The Western Word sent me a message saying that something caught her eye as she traveled around Montana, and that was the number of “Denny Rehberg for U.S. Senate” signs that are still up. She said “It’s almost like they haven’t taken any down” and she added, “They are such an eyesore across our beautiful state.”

Rehberg lost his race against Senator Jon Tester in November 2012. It’s been about 262 days (or over eight months) since Election Day 2012. Of course, some signs are on private property. Those folks should realize that no matter how long they keep the signs up, it won’t change the results (I personally know that does not work). Maybe they are hoping for Rehberg to run in 2014?

Carlos Danger:

In case you missed it, New York City mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner was back in the news this week. Weiner was the congressman who resigned after it was discovered he sent some explicit photos to some followers on Twitter.

A gossip website called the Dirty contends Weiner continued sending photos after he resigned using the pseudonym “Carlos Danger,” something Weiner has not confirmed nor denied.

Now you can create your personal pseudonym through Slate.com’s widget, “The Carlos Danger Name Generator.” I tried it and my personal pseudonym is “Ariel Dynamite.”

Go ahead – check out what your favorite politician’s name is…

Group Labels:

Gallup has a new poll out that tells us “The vast majority of U.S. blacks and Hispanics have no preference when it comes to labels commonly used to describe their racial or ethnic group. Sixty-five percent of blacks say it doesn’t matter to them whether they are called ‘African-American’ or ‘black,’ and 70% of Hispanics say it doesn’t matter to them whether they are referred to as ‘Latino’ or ‘Hispanic.’”

You can gain a lot of knowledge by reading The Western Word…

Nukemap 3D:

Have you ever wondered what would happen if a nuclear bomb exploded in your hometown or at your ex’s house? There’s a “nuclear weapons effects simulator for Google Earth” to help you answer that question. Check out Nukemap 3D HERE.

It’s a 2013 version of Missile Command!  Happy simulating…

Making Montana Proud:

This is the section where I mention people whose actions embarrass Montana.

-From the Billings Gazette: “A Billings woman who struck a plea agreement that called for the dismissal of her 13th drunken-driving offense was sentenced Monday in Yellowstone County District Court. Lori Ann Cole, 55, appeared before Judge G. Todd Baugh and was ordered to serve a three-year suspended sentence for felony criminal endangerment.”

With sentences like that, Judge Baugh will probably get recommended for a Federal judgeship…

-Also from the Billings Gazette: “A 32-year-old Billings woman has pleaded guilty to stealing prescription painkillers from the pharmacy where she worked. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Krystel Buckland pleaded guilty Tuesday to acquiring a controlled substance by subterfuge. Sentencing is set for Oct. 23.”

I love when government employees use $10 words like “subterfuge.”

Additionally, “Store records indicated about 18,000 hydrocodone and oxycodone pills were taken from the pharmacy over a six-month period, starting in February 2012.”

Great googly moogly…

Happy Birthdays:

-Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones turns 70 today!
-Roger Taylor of Queen is 64
-Kevin Spacey is 54
-Sandra Bullock is 49

One More Thing:

Don’t forget to stretch…

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