The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings. – Eric Hoffer

Welcome to Wednesday! If you are traveling today – have a safe trip and buckle your seatbelt. Today is one of those days in which there are several stories out there that I want to comment about – so it’s another “Odds & Ends” day!

Here are today’s topics:

• Montana Lawmakers & Syrian Refugees
• New Montana Campaign Finance Rules
• Montana State University & Peter Fields
• GF Public Schools Superintendent Eval
• Thanksgiving

Montana Lawmakers & Syrian Refugees:

The paranoia about the possibility that Syrian refugees might come to Montana has now infected Montana state legislators. I imagine many legislators signed the anti-Syrian refugee letter that was sent to Montana Governor Steve Bullock to get a little publicity.

The Great Falls Tribune has a pretty good version of the story HERE. What made me almost spit my coffee out of my mouth about 4:30 a.m. this morning was this line of hogwash from Montana State Senator Fred Thomas:

Montana is a very generous state and we are proud to welcome families of all backgrounds…

Pulease…Montana does treat military personnel and veterans pretty well, but many people believe if you weren’t born in Montana and decide to live here you are a second-class citizen. It’s also fun for us – the “outsiders” to poke fun at politicians and others who proclaim they are fourth or fifth generation Montanans. More and more residents of this great state were not born here – so watch out – we’re taking over!

Nonetheless, the fear being shown from conservatives during this Syrian debate is actually helping to show their true bigoted colors.

New Montana Campaign Finance Rules:

Maybe some folks believe that we don’t need any more rules, but anything that will improve the transparency and reporting of money spent to influence elections is good for us.

The Associated Press reported Commissioner Jonathan Motl filed the rules with the Secretary of State’s Office on Tuesday. He said they will be in effect during the 2016 campaign season.

At least this will keep the attorneys from going hungry. Some will be involved in finding a way around the new rules and some will undoubtedly work to overthrow the rules in court.

Montana State University & Peter Fields:

Montana State University (MSU) Athletic Director Peter Fields fired head football coach Rob Ash this week. Now there’s a Change.org petition requesting that MSU President Waded Cruzado fire Athletic Director Peter Fields.

As of this morning, it has 357 supporters. You can see the petition HERE.

I thought that Coach Ash had peaked at MSU and that it was time for a change. He did a lot of great things for the Bobcats.

Great Falls Public School District Superintendent Eval:

I think it’s pretty cool that the public can evaluate Great Falls Public School District Superintendent Tammy Lacey’s job performance. You don’t see that too often. You can read about the evaluation process HERE.

I think Lacey does a pretty good job as Superintendent. I follow her on Twitter and she is always out and about attending events. She is Great Falls Public Schools’ best advocate and cheerleader.

If only more folks who work for the taxpayers would allow this.

Thanksgiving:

Faithful readers – Take Thursday off, eat some great food, and enjoy some friends, family, and football. Have a very happy Thanksgiving!

I’ll be back on Friday!

## Happy Thanksgiving ##