Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. ― Martin Luther King Jr

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

• Local Health Boards
• Daines & Cooney
• Franklin Graham
• One More Thing

LOCAL HEALTH BOARDS:

The Associated Press (AP) is reporting that the Montana House is considering a bill (HB 121) that would make decisions by local health boards in response to crises subject to approval by elected officials. Under existing Montana law, the boards, which are appointed by elected officials, have the authority to issue rules to address public health crises, including the pandemic. The bill would give county and city commissioners the power to amend or rescind those rules.

In my opinion, this is a crazy idea. They should keep elected officials as far away from making public health decisions as they can. (See Flint, Michigan, City Council)

Apparently many folks believe it will be easier to bully elected officials than it would be to bully appointed health officials. I can see threatening elected officials with your votes and threatening to donate to their opponents as an easy way to get them to change their minds.

Everyone knows this pandemic has been hard on small businesses all across the fruited plains. The public health officials should be applauded for their work in protecting us, and not have their jobs micromanaged by some elected joker who knows nothing about public health and science.

I hope those in the Montana Legislature defeat HB 121. These clowns won’t even wear masks to prevent COVID from spreading, so why would they do anything that would help Montanans and their health.

DAINES & COONEY:

U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) has been under scrutiny in recent weeks for supporting President Donald Trump and announcing he would object to the counting of the Electoral College votes in Congress. He did change his tune about objecting later after people were killed and the U.S. Capitol was destroyed. Withdrawing his objection was the right thing to do.

No matter how long he serves, Daines will always be tied to the insurrection on January 6, 2021.

Who knows what else will come out about the insurrection as the investigation continues?

Recently former Lt. Governor Mike Cooney (D), who lost the Governor’s race to Greg Gianforte (R), tweeted:

@SteveDaines raises money promoting conspiracy.
@MTAGKnudsen won’t sign letter condemning violence.
@MattForMontana fights with Liz Cheney instead of ordering his goons to stop the violent sedition.
@GregForMontana cutting taxes for himself and insulting cops. #roughstart

Daines responded with this:

Ouch. I replied to Daines via Twitter writing, “What an asshole.”

I know, I know, I have a way with words!

Several people are thinking that if Cooney was on offense this much during his campaign for governor he might have done better. Psst, he still would not have won, though.

I kind of enjoy the back and forth – plus I enjoy adding my comments.

FRANKLIN GRAHAM:

Franklin Graham is the son of the late Reverend Billy Graham. Franklin Graham has done some good things in his life, but in the past five years, he has hitched his wagon to Donald Trump. In doing so he has tainted his father’s work and caused irreparable harm to Christians and Christianity.

Last week, Graham went on Facebook with this message:

Shame, shame on the ten Republicans who joined with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in impeaching President Trump yesterday. After all that he has done for our country, you would turn your back and betray him so quickly? We have never had a president like him in my lifetime.

Graham also writes, “It makes you wonder what the thirty pieces of silver were that Speaker Pelosi promised for this betrayal.”

You can read his full statement HERE.

Donald Trump is the wolf in sheep’s clothing. He fooled evangelicals. Franklin Graham is acting the same way with his false teachings about Trump.

I wish that religious leaders would stay out of politics unless it to pray for elected officials and encourage people to vote. People now tie Trump to evangelicals. They should be embarrassed to be placed in the same sentence as Trump.

There were a lot of negative comments about Graham’s post and that is good that people let him know their thoughts. He is leading Christians in the wrong direction. Graham should abstain from politics and concentrate on helping those who are less fortunate.

He’s already ruined the Graham family name. One day he will be held accountable (like we all will be) for his actions.

ONE MORE THING:

My Kansas City Chiefs beat the Cleveland Browns 22-17 Sunday and now host the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game next Sunday. The game starts at 4:40 Montana time. It will be carried by CBS.

The Green Bay Packers host Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC Championship also on Sunday. The game starts at 1:05 Montana time. It will be carried by Fox.

The Buccaneers beat the Packers earlier this season in Tampa Bay, 38-10.

The Chiefs beat the Bills earlier this season in KC 26-17.

Go Chiefs!

 

## WEAR YOUR MASKS ##