A slice of apple pie is $2.50 in Jamaica and $3.00 in the Bahamas. These are the pie rates of the Caribbean…

Welcome to the big column to end the week, “Caught My Eye” (CME)!

If you are a first-time visitor, welcome! CME is the once a week column that is posted here every Friday morning. This is when I take a look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week. There may be some sarcasm and pointed independent commentary so be warned!

Here are the topics that “Caught My Eye” this week:

• Staff Sergeant Travis W. Atkins
• Bullock: No Senate Run
• Zinke: No Illegal Politicking
• One More Thing

Staff Sergeant Travis W. Atkins:

On Wednesday, March 27, 2019, President Donald J. Trump will award the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Travis W. Atkins, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry. To commemorate the selfless service and sacrifice of Staff Sergeant Atkins, his son Trevor Oliver and family will join the President at the White House. (White House Press Release)

From the Army.mil/MedalofHonor website:

Aware of the imminent danger, Atkins threw himself on top of the suicide bomber, pinning him to the ground and shielding his Soldiers from the imminent explosion while bearing the brunt of the blast as the bomb detonated.
In this critical and selfless act of valor, which mortally wounded him, Atkins saved the lives of three other Soldiers who were with him.

I read that Atkins attended high school in Bozeman. The community is building a new high school and the school needs a name. They should consider honoring Atkins by naming the high school after him. He also attended the University of Montana. It would be nice if they honored him in some fashion.

Bullock: No Senate Run

Last week in this column I said that U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R) is looking pretty safe right now. The only chance the Montana Democrats have to defeat him is if Steve Bullock runs.

I also boasted that early on in the last election cycle when U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D) was running for reelection; I announced that he would win. I was right.

This week Montana Governor Steve Bullock (D) told the Montana Free Press:

Bullock acknowledged that some in his party have urged him to challenge Daines, but he thinks there are other Democrats who could take that seat. Besides, he says, he doesn’t want that job.

“I’ve expressed all along [that] I just don’t have an interest in running for U.S. Senate,” Bullock said. “I think that my skill set, and what I’ve done, I just wouldn’t enjoy it, so I’d ruled it out.”

So unless there’s a scandal or something very negative affecting Daines, I predict he will cruise to an easy victory – a very easy victory.

As for Bullock, I doubt he makes it as a Presidential candidate, but he might be picked for a Vice Presidential running mate or in the cabinet of a Democrat who wins the presidency.

Zinke Cleared of Illegal Politicking:

The Associated Press (AP) reported that a government watchdog says former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke didn’t engage in illegal political activity when he went to Pennsylvania about a year ago to announce federal grants shortly before a special House election.

Zinke may not be off the hook just yet. In the final line of the story, the AP reported, “other investigations stemming from Zinke’s tenure are continuing.”

One More Thing:

The Electric reported that the Cascade County Commissioners (Great Falls) have issued a travel advisory for the rural portions of the county effective immediately. They say that high wind conditions are creating difficult conditions for county plowing efforts with roads drifting back in shortly after being plowed open

That’s nice that they care about their citizens and that they use snowplows on their roads! I wish the city of Great Falls did.

I live inside the city limits of Great Falls. I have not seen a snow plow on my street this season. It’s probably been years! With over 30 inches of snow falling in Great Falls in February, the streets that are not plowed are almost impassable. I’ve counted six vehicles being stuck on the block in front of my house in the past few weeks.

I’m sure we’ll hear from city officials about the cost of snowplowing this season and how they need more money or that they did not budget enough for all the snow that fell. Wha…wha.

Give me an effing break – all streets and alleys should be plowed especially when there are over 30 inches of snow on them.

Of course, my sidewalk is dry and clear of snow and ice because I actually care about the safety of people who use it. The city has another problem with not enforcing their rules on snow removal on sidewalks.

So my question is who the hell is running this place? Let’s pull the city police off the cell phone and lost dog patrol and have them check for sidewalks not being cleared!

It’s a mess this winter in Great Falls – beam me up while it thaws!

 

##END##