It’s sad when someone you know becomes someone you knew. – Henry Rollins

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:

• Child’s Death in GF
• Impeachment Hearings
• Brawl of the Wild Poll Results
• One More Thing

CHILD’S DEATH IN GF:

I read a lot of news and nothing much surprises or bothers me, but there’s something about the death of a child that hits me harder than most stories.

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems a lot of children are killed or harmed in Montana.

I read a Great Falls Tribune story Thursday afternoon that started with the line:

Note: This story contains disturbing details that may be upsetting to some readers.

It continued with police arrested three Great Falls residents Thursday for the deliberate homicide of a 5-year-old boy, two of whom court documents state are the child’s parents.

The Tribune continued with:

When officers arrived, they found a 5-year-old male child unresponsive in a bedroom bleeding from the nose and mouth. There was also what appeared to be brain matter on the child’s clothing and the carpet around him.

And then this:

An examination of the child showed he was covered in bruises on his knees, torso, ribs and face, and one of his legs appeared abnormal and possibly broken. First responders also noted an obvious gash on the child’s head the size of a silver dollar.

From other reports I read, it does not appear the parents were too concerned about the child.

The sad thing is that the Tribune reported the boy had been taken to the emergency room before:

In June, the boy was taken to the Benefis Health System emergency department for bruising on his face and was described as having “sad eyes.” CPS (Child Protective Services) responded, but the child had already left the facility. CPS tried to locate the family to no avail and the case was closed.

The case was closed. I guess it can stay closed now.

It is my hope that the three people arrested will not be given any sort of plea deal and that they are given the maximum sentences for murder the law in Montana allows.

Prosecutors and Judges – we’re watching you.

As for CPS, this seems to be just another dark chapter. I hope to find out more about why this case was closed and who made that determination.

God bless the little boy and God bless the first responders who dealt with this horrific death.

Read the Tribune story HERE. Read the KRTV story HERE.

IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS:

I think we just ended the fifth day of public impeachment hearings. That might be it in the House for public hearings. The House will have to schedule a vote on the articles of impeachment. If they pass, which I think most will, then it goes to the Senate where there will be a trial.

Like I have said from the beginning, at the end of all this, the Democrats who have the majority in the House will vote to impeach President Trump. It will be along party lines. The Senate, which is controlled by the Republicans, will not convict Trump. The big question is will these hearings do enough damage to keep Trump from getting a second term.

Now there may be concerns that Democrats overplayed their hand and may lose votes. We’ll see.

I watched a lot of the hearings and frankly I found most of it pretty boring. You could just about determine the line of questioning from which side of the aisle they sit. We easily figured out who the assholes were on the committee. You could basically turn to the coverage of the event on TV that fits how you were leaning and be fed that type of news. Something is terribly wrong with that – and that is why many people are worried about the future of our country.

The good news is that the sun will come up tomorrow.

BRAWL OF THE WILD POLL:

This week’s poll asked, “Which team will win Saturday’s Brawl of the Wild football game, the University of Montana Grizzlies or the Montana State University Bobcats?”

Here are the results:

• Montana Grizzlies: 50%
• Montana State Bobcats: 40%
• I Don’t Care: 10%

Thanks to all who voted. Check back for another exciting poll. Enjoy the game!

ONE MORE THING:

On his “Last Week Tonight” show, John Oliver discusses the census, why it matters, and the consequences of an undercount, as only he can! Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

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