Scientists say the universe is made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. They forgot to mention morons. – Unknown

Today’s topics include:

• Daines – Transparent, Accountable, & Innovative
• Bullock Staffing Changes
• Royal Protocol

Transparent, Accountable, & Innovative:

Congratulations are in order for U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT).

Daines and Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) were recognized recently as the most transparent, accountable and innovative representatives in Washington by the Congressional Management Foundation. (CMF press release)

One of the more “innovative” things I’ve noticed about Daines is that he has managed to dodge having “in person” town hall meetings with his constituents in Montana.

In case you were wondering, the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit whose mission is to build trust and effectiveness in Congress. (CMF website)

With the job approval rating of Congress around 20% (Gallup), it appears CMF has some work to do in building trust and effectiveness in Congress.

I’m sure as we get closer to Election Day 2020, Daines will be on the receiving end of even more awards.

Bullock Staffing Changes:

We don’t very often see the Montana media cover staffing changes for our congressional delegation and/or the governor.

I know it’s sometimes hard for members of the media to find time to copy and paste the info from the press releases into articles for their paper or telecast. There are only so many hours in a day!

Here at The Western Word, I understand that congressional staffers and those working for the governor are the ones who do the real work. They are the nuts and bolts of the operation, so when I see the information I try to publish it.

Recently Montana Governor Steve Bullock announced that Ali Bovingdon, the governor’s former Deputy Chief of Staff, will serve as his new Chief of Staff.

Bovingdon is a Chinook native.

Bullock also announced other staff changes in his office. Adam Schafer, Senior Advisor, will now serve as Deputy Chief of Staff. Schafer, a Billings native, previously worked as Deputy Commissioner of Securities and Insurance and Chief of Staff to Auditor Monica Lindeen. Erin Loranger will serve as Press Secretary. Loranger was the Public Information Officer at the Department of Labor & Industry and previously worked as a reporter at the Independent Record.

Congratulations.

Royal Protocol:

In case you missed it, President Donald Trump and most of his family are visiting the United Kingdom this week.

With the visit come meetings with the Queen and other members of the Royal family and dinners. Fancy dinners and toasts!

Some of the big news coming out of the trip is that Ivanka Trump failed to place her hand over her heart during the playing of our national anthem. OMG!

At least she did not kneel in protest.

Ivanka’s outfit “stunned” according to some reports. Or did she miss the mark? As for the President, his tuxedo was the subject of several twitter jokes.

Then there’s the thing called “royal protocol.”

Royal protocol has been broken in one form or the other by almost every President (or First Lady) that I can remember, so I don’t get too bent out of shape when it happens.

To some folks, it’s important news.

Some reports say that Trump may have touched Queen Elizabeth’s back at one of the banquets, which is supposedly against protocol. Then there was the Trump handshake with the Queen. There’s no word if the Queen said Trump’s hand was small.

When I think of really important things, “royal protocol” does not make my list.

As for the Trump family, if they had better relations with the press, they might not get as much attention when they screw up.

I would think that after trips like this one are over, getting back to the good old USA would feel very good. I’m sure the President will want to polish off a quarter pounder with cheese or two while he tweets from his bed!

 

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