There are over 7 billion people in this world. I like 6 of you. – Unknown
Welcome to another exciting edition of Caught My Eye (CME)!
CME is the once-a-week column that is posted every Friday morning. This is when I take a look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week.
Here are some of the things that “Caught My Eye” this week:
- Montana Religious Freedom Restoration
- Sound Off
- Marjorie Taylor Greene
- Dumbass of the Week
MONTANA RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTORATION ACT:
The Montana Free Press (MTFP) is reporting that Senate Bill 215, the Montana Religious Freedom Restoration Act, sponsored by Sen. Carl Glimm, R-Columbia Falls, received a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee this week. If passed the bill would allow individuals and entities to claim exemption from laws and policies if those rules substantially burden the expression of their religious beliefs.
Those against the bill say it will make discriminating easier. I agree. I hope the bill fails, but it did seem to get some help. MTFP reported that Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras spoke in favor of the bill on behalf of the Gianforte administration.
I am a Christian and have been for decades. The past few years have had me questioning some of the actions of my Christian brothers and sisters. I have even questioned my association with some of them. With their blind following of Trump and the church attempting to insert itself more and more in politics, I have become disgruntled. Church used to be a place to get away from the world and the day-to-day crap and just worship and praise God. Not these days. You’re looked down on for masking up or not supporting Trump.
Politics has seeped into the Church and that is not good. Shame on the church leaders who allow it to happen.
SOUND OFF:
As I get older, I find that little changes in my life don’t always make me happy.
Sometimes it’s the little things that tick me off – like not being able to find “Dear Abby” in the Great Falls Tribune or when “Jeopardy” is pre-empted by some other show on KRTV in Great Falls.
As for “Jeopardy,” MTN/KRTV or their bosses decided to run a show called “Hidden Bias of Good People” and decided to air Monday’s “Jeopardy” episode the next Saturday. That’s after the Tuesday-Friday shows aired, which is pretty dumb.
As for “Dear Abby,” I have quit looking. I subscribed to it from another paper and it’s in my email each morning. Problem solved.
As I get older, there are bigger things/questions I want to be answered:
Why is REO Speedwagon not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Which way did Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) go at the end of the movie “Cast Away?”
I wonder if the person who came up with the idea of “Plus” or “+” subscriptions just to get you to pay an extra $5 a month to stream their programs, is happy.
Sometimes I wonder if you subscribed to all the channels that are out there, how much would it cost. I’m sure someone figured it out.
MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE:
The Hill reported this week that the governor of Guam offered to send Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) a history book after the conservative firebrand incorrectly referred to the U.S. territory as a foreign land during a speech railing against federal financial aid going to other countries.
Beam me up, Scotty.
In case you were wondering, The Hill reported:
Guam has been part of the United States since 1899, and people born on the island in the west Pacific Ocean have been considered U.S. citizens since 1950. Guam’s roughly 170,000 residents do pay federal taxes but not federal income tax.
I was stationed in Guam for a couple of years while in the U.S. Air Force. It’s a beautiful place. I have many fond memories. It’s rich in history. I’d like to go back and visit. It’s about eight flying hours from Hawaii, so it’s very far away.
DUMBASS OF THE WEEK:
Several people could have won the “Dumbass of the Week” award, but one stood out: Tucker Carlson
Newsweek reported:
Fox News’ host Tucker Carlson is facing backlash from senior personnel in the U.S. Army following comments he made about pregnant soldiers during his prime time show on Tuesday.
Carlson was responding to remarks by President Joe Biden on International Women’s Day. The president spoke about women in the army, highlighting measures like better fitting body armor and maternity flight suits.
“So we’ve got new hairstyles and maternity flight suits,” Carlson said. “Pregnant women are going to fight our wars. It’s a mockery of the U.S. military.”
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth had a nice response to Carlson. See it HERE.
For his comments about women in the military, Tucker Carlson is the “Dumbass of the Week.”
The Western Word 