You don’t write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say. – F. Scott Fitzgerald

Today’s quick hits deal with:

• The House Debate
• Great Falls School Election
• The Western Word Polls
• Federal Funding
• Full Body Scanner

The House Debate:

It was good to hear that the leadership of MTN News decided to let Libertarian Mark Wicks participate in the televised U.S. House debate Saturday night along with Democrat Rob Quist and Republican Greg Gianforte.

You can watch the whole debate HERE.

The investments by Gianforte into Russian firms that are under sanctions by the U.S. government was one of the main topics this week that the Democrats and their supporters were using to go after Gianforte. Quist used it in the debate.

From what I observed, the person who gained the most from this debate was Wicks. He came across as a strong alternative to Quist and Gianforte who both have a lot of negative baggage. People are growing tired of the Democrat vs. Republican fights in the state and nation.

The Associated Press reported that Wicks offered the most memorable analysis of the night, when he compared Gianforte to a luxury car, Quist as a utility truck and himself as the workhorse that will tow folks out of trouble:

“I see Mr. Gianforte as a luxury car. It’s really smooth and comfortable getting down the road. But at the end of the day, it just wants to be parked with the other luxury cars down at the country club.”

He described Quist as “a little half-ton pickup” that is tiny and bright with a good sound system that will eventually end up at the side of the road.

“Now me? I’m the work truck,” Wicks said.

The special election is May 25.

Great Falls School Election:

Reminder to Great Falls residents – the Great Falls School Election is tomorrow (May 2). We will be voting for three school trustees (there are six people running) and on a $500,000 technology fund.

While I won’t endorse any candidates, I do urge Great Falls voters to vote for the technology fund.

More information can be found HERE and HERE.

TWW Polls:

There are two polls currently open for readers to show their opinion here at The Western Word.

The first poll is grading the 2017 Montana Legislature. You can vote in that poll HERE.

The second poll is grading the President for his first 100 days in office. You can vote in that poll HERE.

Both Polls will remain open and the results will be posted Thursday in my “Thursday Numbers” column.

Please feel free to hit the share button on the polls to share them with your friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks!

Federal Funding:

It was revealed yesterday (Sunday) by several sources that Congressional negotiators have signed off on a deal to fund the government through September.

According to The Hill:

The legislation does not provide funding for construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border or eliminate money for so-called sanctuary cities that do not fully cooperate with federal immigration law, according to a summary provided by a senior congressional aide.
Nor does it cut funding for Planned Parenthood.

The Hill also reported that the measure provides $1.5 billion for border security and $15 billion in additional defense funding — though it’s short the $30 billion in supplemental military funding Trump requested in his budget blueprint.

Like anything else, this has to be sold to the rest of the House and Senate and to the White House.

Full Body Scanner:

And to wrap up Monday’s Quick Hits…

I read that the Great Falls International Airport received a new state-of-the-art body scanner. (KFBB)

I wonder if it was installed to protect passengers from United Airlines employees…

Have a great week!

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