The Western Word is coming to you, STILL, I repeat STILL, coronavirus free, from deep inside an underground bunker in Montana. The bunker also serves as the worldwide headquarters for The Western Word blog!

Quote of the Day…

Things are getting weird. It’s like being 16 again. Gas is dirt cheap and I’m grounded. – Unknown

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

• Nasal Swab Kits
• C’Mon Big Bucks
• Interesting Quotes
• One More Thing

NASAL SWAB KITS:

The two major candidates for U.S. Senate are battling it out over an unusual issue; nasal swab kits…

On April 18 at 12:41 p.m. U.S. Senator Steve Daines tweeted the announcement that 5,000 nasal swab kits to test for COVID-19 were delivered to Helena today. A little later the story was changed to “reportedly en route to Helena.” (Source)

Looks like Daines made a premature announcement. It’s nice to be first, but it’s also nice to accurate.

On April 20 at 12:30 p.m. Montana Governor Steve Bullock announced that the 5,000 swabs had arrived in Helena. Bullock said that on Thursday he requested the swabs while on a call with the President, Vice President, and Senior Administration Officials. (Source)

I’m not sure 5,000 swabs will cut it and it seems many states are experiencing shortages of testing supplies. I believe the governors and not Trump or Pence on the issue of testing supplies.

It seems the Trump administration is bound and determined to open the country even if it kills a few of us to do it.

C’MON BIG BUCKS:

Lee Newspapers is reporting that Republican gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte has the most cash in the bank leading up to the June 2 primary, at just over $310,500. The candidate also loaned his campaign $500,000 on April 6, bringing his total in loans for the election to $1.05 million.

It’s nothing but an attempt to buy the office.

Gianforte’s campaign manager was quoted in the story saying, “The level of enthusiasm and support for Greg’s campaign clearly demonstrates Montanans are excited for Greg to bring his business leadership experience and his positive vision for Montana to the governor’s office.”

I call B-S. If Gianforte had so much support he wouldn’t need to spend over a million dollars of this own money to buy the seat.

But Gianforte’s effort pales in comparison to former Presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg. It was reported Monday that the billionaire spent a total of $1,221,777,405.26 running for President.

That’s $1.2 billion in case big numbers bother you or you’re from Iowa…

I am hopeful the spending of Gianforte will get the same results as Bloomberg.

INTERESTING QUOTES:

Some interesting quotes during the April 20 White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing from President Trump:

Trump – “Admiral Polowczyk and his team at FIFA are really, what a job they’ve done…”

FIFA is Fédération Internationale de Football Association. They are kind of hard organization to mix up with FEMA, which is the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Trump – “Testing is a big word.”

Yes, it is, and you’re such a big boy for saying it…

ONE MORE THING:

I’m amused by all these people pissed off about the government telling them what they can and cannot do. Welcome to having a uterus. –Unknown

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