Welcome to Tuesday which seems like a Monday!

Weak people revenge. Strong people forgive. Intelligent people ignore. ― Albert Einstein

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

• Dumb vs Dumber Part III
• Joe Biden
• Here’s Your Sign
• Trump Press Conference
• One More Thing

DUMB VS DUMBER PART III:

It seems to go on and on and on…

In my August 31 column, I wrote about a Missoula County District Judge John Larson, who was substituting for a Cascade County District Judge in Great Falls, finding a man who was called for jury duty in contempt for not wearing a mask. He sentenced the man to jail for 24 hours. I said the Judge should have fined him.

I then wrote about rookie Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter issuing a news release criticizing Larson for holding the man in contempt of court for refusing to wear a mask.

I also mentioned that Great Falls Tribune reported that Slaughter continued by saying he had met with all the Cascade County judges months ago, and they assured him that they would not put him in a position where one of his deputies would be forced to arrest a citizen for not wearing a mask.

I wondered what else Sheriff Slaughter has worked out with the local judges.

It appears the local district court judges were not too happy with Slaughter’s remarks. The Great Falls Tribune reported:

Three judges with the 8th Judicial District Court issued an order Friday telling the Cascade County sheriff to enforce COVID-19 mask directives and all orders of the court following a dispute in which he publicly criticized a visiting judge who jailed a potential juror for refusing to wear a face covering.

According to the Tribune the order, in part, stated:

“The Sheriff’s Office is required to maintain order in the court, to support orderly conduct of proceedings, and to comply with lawful court orders,” District Judges Elizabeth A. Best, John A. Kutzman and John W. Parker wrote in the four-page order. “The Sheriff has a duty to uphold and defend the laws, to maintain authority in the courtroom and, to arrest persons who have committed a public offense.” The Court will require the Sheriff’s Office to uphold the law in the courtroom,” the judges wrote. “The Court will not condone violation of court orders.”

In short, the judges said to the Sheriff, “Stay in your lane, bro.”

Ouch.

The Tribune also reported that the judges note that disobedience to a court order could result in contempt of court and that Slaughter said Friday he had seen the order and his deputies are already following the directives and that the judges were entitled to their opinions.

I guess the memorable line from the movie “Cool Hand Luke” could be used to describe communications in Cascade County between the judges and the sheriff: “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.”

I agree with Slaughter that incarcerating someone for not wearing a mask is harsh punishment since his facility is a hot spot for the coronavirus. It was dumb of the judge to put the poor fellow in jail for not wearing a mask. It was dumber for Slaughter to issue a statement about it.

JOE BIDEN:

President Trump reportedly played golf on Saturday and Sunday. Joe Biden went to church and then paid a visit to the cemetery where his son, daughter, and first wife are buried.

One of Trump’s staffers named Francis Brennan tweeted a video of Biden at the cemetery saying he was “meandering along” through the graveyard. (Source)

That’s pretty cruel. It’s uncalled for.

This comes after several sources say that Trump called American service members who died in wars “suckers” and “losers.” Trump denies these statements.

We already know Trump is an ass. That apparently extends to several of his staff, too.

HERE’S YOUR SIGN:

CBS News reported that the sheriff’s department in Austin, Texas, said five boats sank during a boat parade in support of President Trump on Lake Travis on Saturday afternoon. The Travis County Sheriff’s Office said they responded to a total of 15 distress calls which varied and included boats taking on water, stalled engines, capsized boats, and boats sinking.

I am not sure if the Trump supporters set out for a “three-hour tour” or not.

The good news is that nobody appeared to be injured, so jokes are very much expected.

TRUMP PRESS CONFERENCE:

The President held a press conference/campaign event at the White House on Labor Day. Here are some key points (Source):

• They’re just sending 80 million ballots all over the country, 80 million ballots, non requested.
• Let me just tell you, I know my customers. That’s what I do. I know Pelosi. I know Schumer very well.
• I understand helicopters very well.
• They took advantage of stupid people, stupid people and Biden’s a stupid person. You know that. You’re not going to write it, but you know that.
• We’re going to give you a big report, that’s going to make you very happy.

ONE MORE THING:

My domain TheWesternWord.com here at Word Press has been secured (rented) for another year.

The Western Word was established in 2005. More information about the blog and the owner (me) can be found HERE.

Thanks to all who support The Western Word either through your free subscription or just by dropping in, reading my columns each day, and leaving comments.

It is very much appreciated.

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