One day you’re not old and the next day you have a favorite grocery store. – 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:

• Sports Bet Montana
• Impeachment Hearing
• Greta Thunberg
• One More Thing

SPORTS BET MONTANA:

That’s the name of the new sports wagering system in Montana that will start in the near future. More information about Sports Bet Montana can be found HERE.

Like other things Montana does (gambling, liquor licenses, smoking, etc.) the state seems to have screwed this up, too. I doubt I ever place a bet in “Sports Bet Montana” because of a silly rule that MTN News explains:

Under the new law, players can only place bets at licensed Sports Bet Montana locations. Players can use a mobile app to see the upcoming events, the lines, and bets available, but they will only be able to place a bet from inside a licensed location.

I imagine lobbyists paid a lot of money to make sure that bets can only be placed “at licensed Sports Bet Montana locations” which means bars, casinos, and restaurants – places that the lobbyists represent.

It’s crazy that we can’t download the mobile app and place bets from wherever we want. Montana will miss out on some revenue because of this silly rule.

IMPEACHMENT HEARING:

It looks like the U.S. House Judiciary Committee delayed the vote on the two articles of impeachment until Friday morning.

NBC News reported it like this:

After a 14-hour meeting, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee suddenly announced that the panel would not vote as planned on Thursday night on two articles of impeachment, angering Republicans.

Fox News reported it this way:

Republicans erupted with unbridled fury and frustration late Thursday as House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., abruptly wrapped up an all-day marathon hearing on the adoption of two articles of impeachment against President Trump by delaying a planned vote on the matter until Friday morning.

The Associated Press reported it this way:

The House Judiciary Committee abruptly postponed a historic vote late Thursday on articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, shutting down a 14-hour session that dragged with partisanship but had been expected to end with the charges being sent to the full House for a vote next week.

Reuters had this to say:

U.S. lawmakers will vote Friday on whether to move forward with impeaching Republican President Donald Trump, as the Democratic head of the Judiciary Committee shocked Republicans by declining to hold a late-night vote after a hearing that lasted more than 14 hours.

I watched some of the hearing off and on throughout the day and evening on Thursday and it was pretty boring and a waste of time. One side would say something and then the other side would respond. The Democrats are in charge and the Republicans tried to stall. Everyone was a little cranky and many members acted like a-holes.

There’s about a 100% chance that the Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee will approve the two articles of impeachment, which will send them to the full House for votes next week.

At least by delaying the vote until Friday morning, there will be a more press coverage because every member of the House Judiciary Committee deserves to get their full 15 minutes of fame…

GRETA THUNBERG:

President Donald Trump seemed to be jealous of sixteen-year-old activist Greta Thunberg because she was named Time Magazine’s 2019 Person of the Year.

Trump tweeted the following about Thunberg:

So ridiculous. Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill!

It was not long before Thunberg responded to Trump by changing her Twitter profile to read, “A teenager working on her anger management problem. Currently chilling and watching a good old fashioned movie with a friend.”

Go Greta! I apologize that our President is a jackass.

ONE MORE THING:

While watching the impeachment hearings, I tweeted the following:

About the only excitement coming from these impeachment hearings is wondering who on Saturday Night Live will play which Representative.

Follow me on Twitter @TheWesternWord.

Have a great weekend!

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