Doing crunches twice a day now – Captain in the morning and Nestle in the afternoon. –Unknown

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

• Back in School
• Biden’s Foot
• Federal Funding
• Tyson/Jones Fight
• One More Thing

BACK IN SCHOOL:

Several school districts all across the fruited plains are reopening today (Monday, November 30). That includes some in Montana.

In my opinion, it’s the wrong move.

Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE) President Amanda Curtis issued a statement after the death of an educator in Great Falls from COVID-19:

Everyone in MFPE mourns this loss with great pain and extend our deepest condolences to the family. MFPE will continue to advocate at the state level for increased safety measures for school staff and students.

However, the simple fact remains that we cannot continue to have schools operating in-person when restaurants, bars, and school activities continue to exacerbate community spread. Montanans must wear masks in all public areas, and businesses must be held accountable for noncompliance.

Additionally, all school districts, boards, and administrators must continue to do everything in their power to enforce public health guidelines, including mask-wearing, social distancing, and quarantining. All Montanans can help protect their neighbors who serve on the frontlines by doing the same thing.

MFPE remains committed to fighting for the safety our members deserve.

We have 267,000 deaths in the USA and 13,400,000 cases. A vaccine will most likely be available soon. We should close in-person learning in schools from now through January 15. That will get us past the holidays and some super-spreader events. Masks should be required until the vaccine has been widely distributed.

BIDEN’S FOOT:

The Associated Press (AP) reported that President-elect Joe Biden fractured his right foot while playing with one of his dogs, an injury discovered in a scan Sunday and that will likely require him to wear a boot for several weeks, his doctor said.

Some folks on Twitter were saying this is just a plan by Nancy Pelosi and Kamala Harris to slowly take out Biden, or that it is a master plan. Crazy stuff.

Donald Trump does not own a dog.

FEDERAL FUNDING:

Tuesday is December 1 and the continuing resolution to fund the federal government expires December 11. Politico reported that there’s an agreement to pass a “massive omnibus bill.”

A massive omnibus bill is a code for “we can’t do our jobs,” so they roll everything into a package and give everyone a little something for going along with it.

The details need to be worked out, and it’s not clear if anything will be included to help with the pandemic.

I expect when Joe Biden is sworn in, the Republicans will start caring about deficits again.

TYSON/JONES FIGHT:

Two former fighters, both over 50 years old fought Saturday night to a draw. Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. were reportedly paid one million each.

The fight was something you might imagine happening between your two over-the-hill uncles over the last piece of pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. Tyson would land a couple of major punches and Jones would hold him. That was it for the eight rounds that were just two minutes each.

Tyson is 54. Jones is 51. ESPN has the story HERE.

That reminded me that I once boxed a guy at a party. He had two sets of boxing gloves. Pro Tip: Don’t box a guy who has his own boxing gloves…

ONE MORE THING:

Question: Which King in a deck of playing cards does not have a moustache?

Scroll down for an answer…

Answer: The king of hearts is the only one without a moustache – but not because of superior personal hygiene. He originally had one, but it was lost in the reproduction of the original design. (Source)

Have a great week!

## WEAR A MASK ##