Make sure your worst enemy doesn’t live between your own two ears. ― Laird Hamilton

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

• Great Falls Tribune
• FCS Football Semifinals
• Amazon Singing Boxes
• One More Thing

GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE:

These days it seems the newspaper business is a pretty tough place to work. I follow the happenings of the Great Falls Tribune closely. I have been a subscriber for probably 25 years. In the last few years, I have been a digital subscriber. I have the App on my phone.

I saw over the weekend that the current editor, Scott Thompson, is leaving the Tribune. This seems to be the norm for the paper – losing or laying off or forcing the retirement of seasoned employees. Thompson had been with the Tribune for 16 years.

I know of other great writers and reporters who have left the Tribune in the last five years or so. It’s sad to see it. Our community is the one that is losing.

I miss the good old days of the Tribune. I’m sure others do, too. I remember when I would first turn to the opinion page and see if I agreed with the Trib’s opinion or not, or read the letters to the editor. Some days I would turn to the opinion page and see a column I wrote from this blog published there. I have not seen a Tribune opinion for a long time. Now I look for Dear Abby and the obituaries.

I know there are fewer subscribers and there are cutbacks. We need our local newspaper. I hope the Tribune’s parent company Gannett understands this.

Best wishes to all those who have moved on. You are missed.

FCS FOOTBALL SEMIFINALS:

The end came crashing down for the Montana State Bobcats football team as they ran into the mighty #1 ranked North Dakota State Bison.

The Bison whipped the Bobcats 42-14. The game was basically over at the half. About 18,000 attended the game that was indoors in the Fargo Dome in Fargo, North Dakota. (Box Score)

I thought if the Bobcats could keep it close early, they might stand a chance. It seemed to me and a few others who watched the game that the Bobcats kind of gave up in the third quarter. They did not seem to be in a hurry.

Nonetheless, the Bobcats from the Big Sky Conference made it to the semifinals.

In the other semifinal, another team from the Big Sky Conference, Weber State, also was pounded. They lost to #2 James Madison 30-14. (Box Score)

North Dakota State takes on James Madison for the FCS National Championship January 11 at 10:00 Mountain Time. The game is in Frisco, Texas. More info can be found HERE.

AMAZON SINGING BOXES:

I’m sure if you have watched much television this holiday season you have seen the singing Amazon boxes. If not, you can watch a video HERE.

According to one article I read, this is the third year for the singing Amazon boxes.

I am beginning to think the whole Amazon singing box thing is a hoax. I’ve received many shipments from Amazon the last few years and not one of the boxes belted out a song. Not one! I tried to get one to sing or even hum a few words, but nothing. It seems everyone in the commercials received a singing box, but not me. In the delivery truck, there are dozens of boxes singing.

I know there are still a few days left before Christmas, so maybe just maybe I’ll receive one!

ONE MORE THING:

Since this is the holiday season, I won’t be posting columns regularly from now until the New Year unless there is breaking news.

To keep up with important political news, please visit (and Like) my Facebook Page HERE and by following me on Twitter @TheWesternWord.

From The Western Word world headquarters based in Montana to your home, I send you best wishes for Happy Holidays, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy and safe New Year!

Thank you for reading The Western Word and may the year 2020 be your best yet!

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