Tuesday’s Quick Hits

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Quote for the day…

I don’t have a problem with differences of opinion. I do have a problem with the increased levels of hate as a result of the differences of opinions. – Anonymous

In today’s column, I take a quick look at these people/issues:

  • MT Legislature v. MT Supreme Court
  • NCAA & Transgender Participation
  • The Western Word Poll
  • Britt Reid

MT LEGISLATURE V. MT SUPREME COURT:

The Associated Press is reporting the Montana Supreme Court has temporarily quashed a legislative subpoena for the state court administrator’s emails, which are believed to contain responses to a poll of District Court judges on legislation to give the governor more power in filling judicial vacancies between elections.

I imagine they will get the emails after they edit their request. You see, the Montana Legislature does not have the sharpest knives in the drawer. It may take them a time or two to get their subpoena in order.

The AP also reported that this stems from Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, signing a bill into law in March to eliminate the Judicial Nomination Commission and allow the governor to directly fill judicial vacancies. A legal challenge was filed with the Montana Supreme Court the next day.

I have said from the beginning when I heard about this bill that I have never been a fan of Montana Supreme Court justices and State District court judges being politicians. I think it lowers the respect people have for them. It has that effect on me. It is like they prostitute themselves every few years raising money and campaigning and then they go back to acting all professional and a notch above us commoners. I also said that maybe Gianforte was on to something – they just need to make it where the judges are appointed for a certain length (four years/eight years) and then they go on their merry way and we get a fresh face.

If I had to pick sides in this tussle between the Montana Legislature and the Montana Supreme Court, I would pick the Montana Supreme Court.

Read the AP report HERE.

NCAA & TRANSGENDER PARTICIPATION:

The NCAA Board of Governors issued a statement today about transgender athletes participating in college sports that may end up affecting Montana:

The NCAA Board of Governors firmly and unequivocally supports the opportunity for transgender student-athletes to compete in college sports. This commitment is grounded in our values of inclusion and fair competition.

They also added this incentive:

When determining where championships are held, NCAA policy directs that only locations where hosts can commit to providing an environment that is safe, healthy and free of discrimination should be selected. We will continue to closely monitor these situations to determine whether NCAA championships can be conducted in ways that are welcoming and respectful of all participants.

MTN News reported that Montana lawmakers are currently considering House Bill 112, which would not allow male-to-female transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports in high school or college. If legislators pass the bill, the NCAA Board of Governors’ statement indicates that NCAA championship events, including FCS playoff games, would not be permitted in Montana.

Looks like the Cats and Griz will be on the road for their playoff games if that bill passes.

We’ll see if the Legislature and/or the Governor blinks. They should.

Read the full NCAA statement by clicking HERE.

THE WESTERN WORD POLL:

Don’t forget to participate in this week’s poll that asks, “Should businesses require their employees to get the COVID vaccine?”

Click HERE to participate. The results will be posted Thursday.

BRITT REID:

Former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid, the son of head coach Andy Reid, has finally been charged with felony driving while intoxicated for his involvement in a car crash earlier this year that left a 5-year-old girl critically injured. (ESPN)

The crash occurred on February 4. The charges were filed on April 12.

According to ESPN, Reid was traveling almost 85 MPH when he slammed into two parked vehicles. A test of Reid’s blood serum after the crash showed his blood alcohol concentration to be at .113, above the legal limit of .08, according to the probable cause statement.

Two questions remain about the incident. First, was Reid drinking at the Chiefs’ training complex before the accident. If so, this may make the Chiefs responsible. Second, why did it take so long to file charges; was it because of his name?

I am a life-long fan of the Chiefs. I am also a life-long hater of drunk driving. I hope Reid gets the maximum sentence for his actions.

Read the report from ESPN by clicking HERE.

## WEAR A MASK TODAY ##

6 thoughts on “Tuesday’s Quick Hits”

  1. There has been an amendment put on the transgender athletes Bill that if it stops NCAA playoffs from coming here then it’s void. I’m not sure if that will satisfy the NCAA in the short term?

    • Sandy- Thanks. That’s an interesting angle. I guess we’ll see. – JmB

    • I don’t see that amendment in the current text of the bill. Unless maybe it is brand new and has not yet been reflected on the Montana Bill Lookup website.

      Current text: https://bit.ly/3mQGk1K

      • I think the Helena IR Record story might be referring to the House action yesterday not concurring with the bill as amended by the Senate, though that is unclear from the story which then launches into the NCAA stuff. At least according to the record at the Bill Lookup site there were no amendments being voted yesterday. The Senate had amended the will with 002 from Sen. Salomon that said the whole measure would be void if the U.S. Dept of Education threatened enforcement. It appears at the bottom of the current text linked document as New Section 6.

        I could be totally wrong. The Montana bill lookup site is really difficult to use and follow what is going on, compared to some other states. Probably by design – we don’t really want the potted plants of the electorate to know what we’re doing to them until it is too late, and hopefully they will forget what we did by the time we are up for re-election two years from now.

        At least give the IR kudos for covering legislative bills in progress. It is more than can be said for the Trib since Phil Drake left, or our all-weather-and-sports-all-the-time TV stations.

      • Terry – I agree that the bill info for the MT Leg is difficult to use. Thanks, JmB

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