Caught My Eye…

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Quote for the day…

A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. – José N. Harris

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 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:

  • Critical Race Theory
  • U.S. Senator Jon Tester
  • Dumbass of the Week
  • One More Thing

CRITICAL RACE THEORY:

On Thursday, the Associated Press reported that Montana’s top prosecutor issued an opinion labeling critical race theory and some antiracism programs taught in schools as “discriminatory” and said they violate federal and state law. Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s decision bans the activities — which are also used for employee training — in the state. It came after Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen requested earlier this month for Knudsen to weigh in on the issue.

I find it hard to believe that of all the things going on in this world and Montana, that Arntzen and Knudsen think this is worthy of their attention. It seems these two stooges are looking for attention. It’s funny, but sad, that these two very white elected leaders are trying to shield the rest of us from race issues. Thanks, but no thanks.

Earlier, the Daily Montanan reported that Office of Public Instruction spokesperson Chris Averill said “Fortunately, Montana has not seen widespread examples of the kinds of divisive and discriminatory exercises and practices the Superintendent has cited from all across the nation to this point.”

Beam me up, Scotty.

U.S. SENATOR JON TESTER:

With the U.S. Senate Republicans getting ready to block the formation of a January 6 commission, U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) explained his frustration in simple terms. Politico reported the following:

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) said he believes there will be a future Jan. 6-style attack on the Capitol and “the outcome is going to be far worse.”
“We’ve got to get to the bottom of this shit,” Tester said. “Jesus. It’s a nonpartisan investigation of what happened. And if it’s because they’re afraid of Trump then they need to get out of office. It’s bullshit. You make tough decisions in this office or you shouldn’t be here.”

It’s good to see Tester get pissed. He needs to do that more.

The only reason the Republicans don’t want to have the bipartisan commission investigate is because they are afraid they will lose votes in the 2022 midterms and not gain the majority in the House and/or Senate.

Tester said, “You make tough decisions in this office or you shouldn’t be here.” We now know that Republicans are picking their party over their country.

Read the full Politico report HERE.

DUMBASS OF THE WEEK:

This week’s “Dumbass of the Week” is U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT).

Daines embarrassed Montana by not meeting face to face with Gladys Sicknick, who is the mother of fallen US Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick.

CNN reported that Sicknick had asked to meet with GOP senators ahead of an expected vote on the January 6 commission. Several declined to meet with her. Sicknick told reporters Thursday that she is hopeful her meetings will change their minds on whether to vote for a January 6 commission.

It was reported that Daines was going to speak with her via phone which is a slap in the face to her and her deceased son.

For being cold-hearted and a wimp Steve Daines is the “Dumbass of the Week.”

ONE MORE THING:

Since Monday is Memorial Day, please read my column from a few years ago called:

Veterans Day & Memorial Day: There’s a Difference

Have a great weekend – see you on Tuesday.

## FREEDOM IS NOT FREE ##

9 thoughts on “Caught My Eye…”

  2. These were my immediate thoughts too upon reading Knudey’s “opinion.” As one who has spent a great deal of time grading HS compositions, I’ll bet that in five minutes I could underline every single word that the AG wrote himself. It’s that obvious. And glaring. Now, since this opinion has the force of law, I’m wondering if the AG would be willing to admit that this is basically plagiarized, and if so, is that how we make law now in Montana? Is he so pathetic that he’s unable to think for himself? Any reporters left out there willing to ask him?

    “ Terry is correct in his assessment of the purpose and problems with AG Knudson’s “opinion.” A cursory reading of the same clearly indicates that this “opinion” is not AG Knudson’s original work. Any attorney can recognize that this document could not have been produced in the two weeks after it was requested. There is a near certainty that this “opinion” was produced by some conservative “think tank” and coopted by AG Knudson for his and his parties political purposes .”

    Old line democrat from above

    • Larry- If he plagiarized it someone will discover it. It probably won’t be a Montana reporter. Thanks, JmB

  3. This is a long scholarly slog, but it gets at the heart of the issue. Apartheid pedagogy. If you can make it through this entire article, you’ll realize just how insidious these attacks on critical race theory really are. Of course I don’t expect Elsie and Knudey to understand. Elsie can barely speak English let alone read a complicated analysis. It’s a shame that these two bozos get to demean our state’s reputation again as a place that welcomes racism.

    http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/henry-giroux/96803/against-apartheid-pedagogy-in-the-age-of-white-supremacy

  4. Terry is correct in his assessment of the purpose and problems with AG Knudson’s “opinion.” A cursory reading of the same clearly indicates that this “opinion” is not AG Knudson’s original work. Any attorney can recognize that this document could not have been produced in the two weeks after it was requested. There is a near certainty that this “opinion” was produced by some conservative “think tank” and coopted by AG Knudson for his and his parties political purposes .
    his situation is both tragic and comical when one understands that there has been no instance of “critical race theory” being included in any Montana curriculum. A true case of creating a problem where none exists.
    Following on the heels of a pathetically partisan session of the Montana legislature, AG Knudson’s “opinion” is further proof that now that the Republican party has full control of Montana state government they will stop at nothing to push their radical ideas on all Montanans and further tarnish the image of our great state by promoting these dangerous ideas merely because they can.
    Another sad day in the annals of Montana history. Tyrants and ideologues have taken over our state government and the damage will be deep and long-standing.

    • Old Line Democrat – great analogy. I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks JmB

  5. Knudsen’s decision is just the latest manifestation of the consolidation of power by the authoritarian Republicans in Helena, a continuation of their campaign to ban or outlaw all local control of anything in Montana if those locals might stray from far-right orthodoxy. Localities can no longer decide what commonsense gun restrictions are right for them, or commonsense public health measures, and now it seems local school boards and our institutions of higher learning are incapable of choosing curriculum on their own, requiring the guiding hand of the Republican guardians of proper public thought in Helena. One size fits all is bad when coming from Democrat-run Washington, but just dandy when coming from Republican-run Helena.

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