I know what I bring to the table…so trust me when I say I’m not afraid to eat alone. – Unknown

Today’s topics include:

• Steve Daines – Fact-Checked
• I-185 – Big Money
• Working Together
• One More Thing

Steve Daines – Fact-Checked:

Most independent observers would never believe that U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) is smarter than a fifth grader.

Daines made a statement the other day about sanctuary jurisdictions that the fact-finding website PolitiFact rated as “Mostly False.”

According to PolitiFact, here is what Daines said:

“I’d like to talk about sanctuary jurisdictions, places that violate the laws of our nation, encourage illegal immigration and compromise security of law-abiding citizens,” Daines, R-Mont., said during Ronald Vitiello’s hearing for director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

Here is what PolitiFact found in their ruling of Mostly False:

Daines said, sanctuary jurisdictions “violate the laws of our nation.”

Daines was referring to Section 1373, but his office did not name a jurisdiction found to be violating that law. Instead, his office named jurisdictions that the Justice Department contends might be violating it. No courts have found a jurisdiction in violation of the law, and some courts have said the law itself might be unconstitutional.

Daines’ statement contains an element of truth but ignores critical facts that would give a different impression. We rate it Mostly False.

Daines should get used to people and groups finally paying some attention to him. He is up for re-election in 2020.

I-185 (Big Money):

The Associated Press (AP) is out with a story about the money spent against Medicaid expansion in Montana. In case you forgot, I-185 would have raised tobacco taxes to fund healthcare in Montana. It was defeated 53% to 47%.

The AP reports that $26.1 million was raised to defeat the measure and that most of the money came from Altria Client Services, the lobbying arm of the company that makes Marlboro cigarettes.

Wow. Just wow.

With the amount of money being spent, I bet a few people on the winning side received nice bonuses. The team that was against I-185 did a remarkable job in defeating the measure. I was surprised at the outcome.

I do hope the Montana Legislature finds a way to help low-income people with their healthcare needs.

Maybe Altria Client Services will make a donation…

Working Together:

In a perfect world, this January we would see the Republicans in the Senate along with Republican President Donald Trump working with the new Democrat majority in the House for the betterment of our country.

I know, I know, if you believe they will I have some ocean front property to sell you near Geyser, Montana.

This week Gallup Polling reported that most people don’t believe they will work together, either.

In a recent poll (Nov. 13-18), Gallup found:

Americans are largely pessimistic that President Donald Trump and the Democrats in Congress will cooperate much over the next two years once Democrats assume control of the House of Representatives in January. Thirty-three percent believe Trump will cooperate a great deal or fair amount with the Democrats, while 28% think the Democrats will do the same with Trump. Both percentages are well below what Gallup measured in 2006, the last time Democrats took control of the House and prepared to govern with a Republican president, George W. Bush.

The one wild card is Trump – who knows who he will side with on some of the issues.

Nonetheless, it should be fun to watch!

One More Thing:

The “Sawmill Fire” in Arizona was started by off-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent Dennis Dickey who was having a “gender reveal” party with family and friends.

According to this article and video in Forbes, such parties have become a bizarre trend recently in which colored explosives are sometimes used to reveal a baby’s sex.

The fire consumed 45,000 acres and 800 firefighters helped put it out.

According to the Forbes report, Dickey reported the fire and his role in starting it to authorities. In September, he entered a plea agreement with the U.S. Justice Department to serve five years probation, record a public service announcement and eventually pay $8 million in restitution. However, a federal court reduced the total penalty to be paid to $200,000 at a sentencing hearing in October.

By the way, the explosion was blue which means it will be a boy – an expensive boy!

 

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