Maybe my mom was right all those years ago. Maybe I won’t be happy until someone loses an eye. Maybe that’s what’s been missing. – Unknown

Today’s quick hits deal with these important subjects:

• U.S. House Race MT-AL
• National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
• Todd & Sarah Palin

U.S. HOUSE RACE MT-AL:

The Great Falls Tribune reported that Debra Lamm, former chair of the state Republican Party and former state lawmaker, announced Monday she is running for the lone U.S. House seat being vacated by fellow Republican Greg Gianforte.

Lamm joins the following Republicans vying for the seat: state auditor Matt Rosendale, Secretary of State Corey Stapleton, rancher and Lewis and Clark Republican Party chair Joe Dooling, and school superintendent Timothy Alan Johnson.

I’m not sure how many of these folks will actually file to run for office next year, but a few of them should consider dropping out. I think five is too many candidates to run in the primary. If you are a Democrat hoping to win the seat, you would want a lot of candidates on the GOP ticket to water down the primary votes.

The Montana Republicans need to find a candidate for U.S. House who will stay in the seat for more than just a term or two (if reelected) so Montana could gain some clout. People like former House member Steve Daines and current House member Greg Gianforte have egos too big to serve in such a mundane position.

The Montana Democrats have three candidates, so far, according to the Tribune. They are former state lawmaker Kathleen Williams, state Rep. Tom Winter, and rancher Matthew Rains.

I’m looking for a moderate candidate who will promise to stay in the seat for several terms if reelected.

NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION:

I never thought the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would be used as a political pawn, but it appears it happened.

The agency’s Birmingham office contradicted President Trump’s claim that Hurricane Dorian might hit Alabama with THIS TWEET, and it appears the shit hit the fan.

The New York Times is reporting that Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross threatened to fire employees at NOAA after members of the agency contradicted President Trump’s claim. The Commerce Department denies this report. (CNN)

An unsigned statement was released by NOAA that in part stated:

From Wednesday, August 28, through Monday, September 2, the information provided by NOAA and the National Hurricane Center to President Trump and the wider public demonstrated that tropical-storm-force winds from Hurricane Dorian could impact Alabama. This is clearly demonstrated in Hurricane Advisories #15 through #41, which can be viewed at the following link.

The Birmingham National Weather Service’s Sunday morning tweet spoke in absolute terms that were inconsistent with probabilities from the best forecast products available at the time.

It seems using government agencies for political purposes is the norm for President Trump.

TODD & SARAH PALIN:

NBC News reported that Todd Palin has filed for divorce from Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska and GOP vice presidential candidate, citing “incompatibility of temperament” and that “they find it impossible to live together as husband and wife.”

They have been married 31 years and they have five children.

It’s a sad deal anytime a couple gets a divorce no matter if their name is Palin or Jones or someone else. 

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