Welcome to the end of February!

In case you are a first-time visitor, “Caught My Eye” is posted right here every Friday morning! This is when 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 a touch of sarcasm just to make you smile – or to irritate you just a little.

Today I write about veterans & the senate vote, the life of Brian, tinfoil hats, the B-52s, plus we have a winner who is Making Montana Proud! There’s more so read on!

Veterans & S. 1982:

Members of Congress sure love to use veterans as political pawns. Democrats and Republicans use veterans when it can do them the most good politically.

Who couldn’t vote for a bill that says, “A bill to improve the provision of medical services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes.” That’s the official title of Senate Bill 1982.

Apparently, this time, it is the Republicans who are the bad guys.

The bill failed 56-41 because they needed 60 votes to end debate.  All 41 “Nay” votes were from Republicans. We’ll see how this votes plays out during the 2014 election season. The bill has 28 co-sponsors, including Montana’s senators Jon Tester and John Walsh.

The sad fact is that very few elected officials give a damn about veterans.

The Life of Brian:

There were several stories this week about former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s new job. He is now a “talking-head” and “contributor” with “the NBC family of networks,” which includes MSNBC.

Schweitzer almost always gives me a chuckle when he’s on television. He’s come so far in his life – we should all be proud of Brian! Frankly, I don’t really care what Brian does, but I like good comedy. Maybe MSNBC can give him a show to host. They need someone who can give them a ratings boost.

I thought it was a little ironic that with the MSNBC story, the Billings Gazette used a photo showing Schweitzer with his mouth wide open – like a big mouth bass.

How to Make a Tinfoil Hat:

Last week I wrote about the Missouri legislator who added $8 to a bill “for two rolls of high density aluminum to create headgear designed to deflect drone and/or black helicopter mind reading and control technology.”

At the end of that story, I added, “I hope I can get the instructions on how to make those tinfoil hats. It’s only a matter of time before they discover my bunker…”

A faithful reader sent me this link which provides instructions on how to make tinfoil hats. I’m sharing it with you so we are all protected.

Please pay close attention to the “Tips and Warnings” section which states, “It is very important for the shiny side of the aluminum foil to be showing when the hat is complete to make sure it is effective against alien rays or mind control signals.”

Let’s be careful out there…

Making Montana Proud:

This section is where I mention people or groups whose actions embarrass Montana in some way.

-From the Billings Gazette: Yellowstone County Treasurer Max Lenington was in the news again this week. The Gazette received a letter from Lenington that, in part, says, “A coalition of Blacks, Latinos, Gays, Government Workers, Union Members, Environmental Extremists, loony liberal left Media, Hollywood, uniformed (sic) young people, the ‘forever needy’, the chronic unemployed and illegal aliens have now ended Norman Rockwell’s America.”

He also said the American Dream ended when Barack Obama won his reelection.

You can see the whole letter HERE. Lenington has since apologized.

Two things come to mind with this embarrassment. The state legislature needs to work on plan to make recalling elected officials a little easier in these situations. It has to be well thought-out and not a knee-jerk reaction. Secondly, these fringe members are harming the Republican Party. Someone in the Party needs to step forward and be the adult. The silence of the leaders in the GOP make it look like they are afraid of losing votes or of getting a primary challenger if they speak out.

Happy Birthday:

Cindy Wilson, singer with the B-52s, turns 57 today. To kick your day into gear, here’s “Roam” by the B-52s. Enjoy it – it’s Friday…

One More Thing:

Don’t forget to stretch…

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