Being positive in a negative situation is not naive. It’s leadership. – Unknown

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:

• Trump’s Bill
• Giuliani & Trump
• Applause for PETCO
• One More Thing

TRUMP’S BILL:

Several news organizations, including the Great Falls Tribune, are reporting that President Donald Trump’s campaign is not reimbursing local governments for the security provided during the President’s visit.

The Center for Public Integrity contacted several cities that hosted Trump events and found that 10 city governments, including Billings, still are waiting for Trump to pay public safety-related invoices that total $841,219.

The Tribune reported that Cascade County and the City of Great Falls never asked the president’s campaign for reimbursement for security costs related to Trump’s July 5, 2018, stop in Great Falls, considering it an obligation for a visiting president, regardless of party affiliation.

Da, da, da, dumb.

The July 5, 2018, visit to Great Falls was a campaign stop where Trump campaigned for Matt Rosendale who was running for U.S. Senate and Greg Gianforte, who was running for U.S. Representative.

In my opinion, Cascade County and the City of Great Falls should have asked for reimbursement for security because it was a partisan campaign event. Campaigns raise millions of dollars to pay for events.

I wonder at what level do officials feel it is proper to charge for security in Cascade County. Vice President? First Lady? U.S. Senator? Governor?

If the President was coming to Great Falls for official business, that would have been a different story.

So next time the City of Great Falls and Cascade County say they don’t have enough money for something or want to raise our taxes (and they will), tell them to send the bill to the Trump campaign.

GIULIANI & TRUMP:

The Hill reported that President Donald Trump said Thursday that he doesn’t know the two associates of his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani who were arrested on campaign finance charges, but acknowledged he may have been photographed with them at some point.

To make his point, Trump said:

“I don’t know those gentleman. Now, it’s possible I have a picture with them because I have a picture with everybody.”

When I heard that and since I am getting forgetful with old age, I asked my wife if she knew where we kept my picture with Trump.

“You don’t have one,” she replied.

So Trump lied again. He does not “have a picture with everybody.”

The associates are accused of orchestrating a straw donor scheme to circumvent campaign finance laws, partly by funneling $325,000 to a pro-Trump super PAC using a fake energy company they created. (The Hill)

When Giuliani’s associates were arrested, Trump went into his best Sergeant Schultz of Hogan’s Heroes impersonation basically saying, “I know nothing.”

It just seems that Trump can be connected to a lot of people who broke the law or who are being investigated. One of these days a few of these people may talk.

I think the arrest of these two associates of Giuliani’s might be the tip of the iceberg. It seems they are well-connected to the Trump family.

Additional Reading: Check out “Five things to know about the arrest of Giuliani associates” by clicking HERE.

APPLAUSE FOR PETCO:

A Texas couple discovered that when Petco says all leashed pets are welcome, they really mean it. Vincent Browning and Shelly Lumpkin brought Oliver, a Ankole-Watusi steer, to Petco earlier this week where employees welcomed him “with open arms.” (USA Today)

Oliver weighs about 1,600 pounds and his horns are 114 inches from tip to tip when measured along the curve.

I hope he received a nice treat! 

ONE MORE THING:

My new favorite commercial:

Don’t forget – “Use the cocktail stick!”

Have a great weekend – thanks for reading!

 

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