When people ask, “What do you do?” Answer: “Whatever it takes.” – Unknown

Today’s independent commentary deals with these people/issues:

• Corey Stapleton
• Macabre Video
• One More Thing

COREY STAPLETON:

In an extensive examination of Secretary of State Corey Stapleton’s use of the state-owned pickup truck between July 2018 and March 2019, the Associated Press (AP) found the first-term Republican, who is running for Montana’s U.S. House seat, improperly used the truck to regularly travel from Helena to his home in Billings.

The AP also found that over the entire lease, he also traveled thousands of miles in the 2015 GMC Sierra during weekends and holiday periods when he had no official events scheduled.

According to the AP, Stapleton “declined multiple requests for interviews” which seems kind of crazy since he is running for the U.S. House and needs news organizations, like the AP, to cover his candidacy.

Please read the entire 1,300-word AP story by clicking HERE.

I don’t think Stapleton wants to be Montana Secretary of State. He’s just one of many officeholders who never seem happy with the office in which they were elected. The best thing to do with people like Stapleton is to not vote for them.

MACABRE VIDEO:

The New York Times reported late Sunday that a video depicting a macabre scene of a fake President Trump shooting, stabbing and brutally assaulting members of the news media and his political opponents was shown at a conference for his supporters at his Miami resort last week, according to footage obtained by The New York Times.

The video is very violent and gruesome – and it has no place in any campaign or for use by any candidate. I’m afraid some of Trump’s supporters might take it as a call to action against those who disagree with Trump.

I decided not to post the video here, but if you want to see it, and I warn you that it is graphic, you can view it HERE or HERE.

ONE MORE THING:

I watch a lot of NFL football. There are way too many penalties being called this season.

If I am reading this database correctly, there are a total of 1,668 penalties through six games this season.

On Sunday in the Cowboys/Jets game, there were six penalties in a row. There were 17 accepted penalties in the whole game.

In the Texans/Chiefs game, there were 21 accepted penalties and probably a half-dozen others that were declined or offset.

Many of the penalties are subjective.

The other big problem the NFL has is the new rule that coaches can challenge pass interference. Going into this week’s games Deadspin reports that according to NFL GSIS data, 40 pass interference-related plays have been challenged in the 79 games played so far this season, but just seven have been overturned. That’s a total of 17.5 percent.

Another complaint I have is that onside kicks are not fun anymore. Very few are successful.

Finally, my Kansas City Chiefs are worse this year. They have no rushing attack and their defense is near the bottom. They have lost two home games, which is something playoff teams can’t do. Now they travel to Denver for a Thursday night game and then host the Packers and the Vikings. They also travel to New England later this season.

 

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