Quote for the Day…

I suffer from that disorder where I speak the truth and it pisses people off. -Unknown

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

• Fifty Percent
• Parental Rights & Religious Grounds Notice
• Reading Assignments
• The Western Word Poll

FIFTY PERCENT:

According to reports, Montana finally has 50% of its eligible residents vaccinated. That’s nothing to be proud of as there have been 652 new cases in the latest report. (Source)

Montana is ranked in the bottom half for the percentage of residents fully vaccinated in some reports I have seen.

The truth is there is a better chance you will die without the vaccine. CNN is reporting that if you live in a state with a low vaccination rate, you’re 4 times more likely to be hospitalized and more than 5 times more likely to die.

Congratulations to the 50% of Montanans who are vaccinated. As for the other 50% who are eligible; you’re acting like dumbasses and making your state look like a bunch of uneducated yokels.

PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS GROUNDS NOTICE:

While doing some research I came upon a document supposedly being used by the anti-maskers in Montana to use to try and keep little Johnny and Susie from wearing a mask while in the public school classroom.

It’s called “Parental Rights and Religious Grounds Notice.” Here are the main parts:

I, the undersigned, am providing this notice of my constitutional and inalienable parental (guardian) rights to the health, mental wellbeing and education of my child. The child(ren) listed below will be attending public school in their natural born state without any facial covering of their nose or mouth. Furthermore, any facial covering policy violates my sincerely held religious beliefs, which preclude me, and by extension my child under my direction and care, from being able to take part in this act. Any retaliation, segregation or suspension of my child(ren) will be viewed as discrimination based on our religious beliefs. A masking requirement is a violation of our Constitutional rights, 1964 Civil Rights Act, and state law (SB 215 Religious Restoration Act). I retain all healthcare decisions for my child(ren) for all time and I do not consent to any healthcare checks, biologics, or mask requirements if you do not have my express written permission for:

They form then goes into the constitutional part of their argument:

I have no intention to un-enroll my child and I reserve all legal rights.
While it is not legally necessary for me to justify my parental decisions and rights, nevertheless for your benefit, I have provided below a few of the reasons why any school policy aiming to force a “health policy” is unconstitutional and violates fundamental aspects of my parental authority.

The right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right protected by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Montana.
In 1972, the United States Supreme Court, in Wisconsin v. Yoder, 406 U.S. 205, held that the “primary role of the parents in the upbringing of their children is now established beyond debate as an enduring American tradition.”
In 2000, in Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, the United States Supreme Court produced six different opinions on the nature and enforceability of parental rights under the Constitution of the United States that have created confusion and ambiguity about the fundamental nature of parental rights in the laws and society of our nation and in the states.
“The fundamental theory of liberty upon which all governments in this Union repose excludes any general power of the State to standardize its children. . . The child is not the mere creature of the State;” Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 U.S. 510 (1925).
Pursuant to MT state law effective 5/14/21 due to HB 435, revising civil liability for governmental entities which includes school districts.
“Section 6. Limitation on requirements. (1) If a federal or state statute, regulation, order, or public health guidance related to covid-19 recommends or requires the use of a face mask, a government entity is not required to ensure face masks are being used or a face mask is sufficient to stop the spread of covid-19 to meet the standard of care.”
Pursuant to MT state law effective 10/1/21 due to SB 400, school district interference with parental rights on healthcare decisions is restricted and the burden of proof rests on the governmental entity.

“Section 1. Interference with fundamental parental rights restricted — cause of action. (1) A governmental entity may not interfere with the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of their children unless the governmental entity demonstrates that the interference:
(a) furthers a compelling governmental interest; and
(b) is narrowly tailored and is the least restrictive means available for the furthering of the compelling governmental interest.”

I hate to break it to the anti-maskers, but this is probably not going to work. You can always home school your precious children or send them to a private school. I think you should probably listen to the CDC and other notable healthcare organizations and not listen to politicians and “Facebook doctors” and “Facebook lawyers.”

READING ASSIGNMENTS:

I strive to make sure my readers are informed about the latest news…

Elementary students denied entry to school for refusal to wear masks
Good for the principal. #MaskUpMT

Matt Gaetz elopes to California, marries girlfriend
The AP reports his wife is 26…

Rachel Maddow extends contract with MSNBC: reports
Maddow is by far the most intelligent person on the evening cable news channels.

THE WESTERN WORD POLL:

It seems everywhere we turn someone has an opinion about the handling of the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. A lot of those opinions are political.

Here is your chance to give your opinion – “Grade President Joe Biden on his handling of the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.”

The results will be released later this week.

## MASK-UP/GET VACCINATED ##