Quote for the day…
As a kid, I used to watch “The Wizard of Oz” and wondered how someone could talk if they didn’t have a brain. Then I got social media. -Unknown
Today’s independent commentary deals with these issues:
- The Western Word Poll
- The Rosendale Newsletter
- The D.C. Rally
- Reading Assignments
THE WESTERN WORD POLL:
Last week the Washington Post (WaP0) reported that twice in the final months of the Trump administration, Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was so fearful that the president’s actions might spark a war with China that he moved urgently to avert armed conflict.
This information was from a new book called “Peril” by Washington Post associate editor Bob Woodward and national political reporter Robert Costa.
WaPo also reported that Milley also summoned senior officers to review the procedures for launching nuclear weapons, saying the president alone could give the order — but, crucially, that he, Milley, also had to be involved. Looking each in the eye, Milley asked the officers to affirm that they had understood, the authors write, in what he considered an “oath.”
Read the complete WaPo article HERE.
This week’s poll question asks, “Do you agree with the actions taken by General Mark Milley?”
The results will be released later this week.
THE ROSENDALE NEWSLETTER:
The latest newsletter from U.S. Representative Matt Rosendale (R-MT/AL) hit my inbox on Saturday. Here are some gems:
On September 14, I cosponsored bill H.R. 3860, which would prevent our members of the Armed Forces from being forced to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID vaccines are readily available to those who want them. I have been and remain strongly opposed to any mandate or passport for a COVID vaccine.
I have my doubts that this bill will see the light of day. Freedom is not free.
On September 16, 2021, I signed a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, expressing grave concern over General Milley’s ability to exercise his duties and responsibilities as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in light of stunning new allegations that indicated General Milley blatantly disregarded the concept of civilian control of the military, and gave aid and comfort to America’s principal adversary, the Chinese Communist Party. The letter requested a formal AR 15-6 Investigation commence immediately with regard to these allegations.
This is nothing but trying to score political points.
As you may have seen in my recent statement, 75 refugees from Afghanistan will be arriving in Montana, with more likely to come in the near future. I have advocated that we should try and settle these individuals in other countries around Afghanistan that share their values and culture, especially if we can not ensure proper vetting.
I want to trade Rosendale for the refugees…
You can read the complete newsletter by clicking HERE.
THE D.C. RALLY:
I’ve seen different reports about Saturday’s “Justice for J6” rally to support those who were arrested in the January 6 insurrection. Politico said about 200 showed up. Another report said there were “dozens.” Another said, “Turnout was at best half of the 700 predicted…”
The Washington Post reported that Capitol Police said Saturday afternoon that between 400 and 450 people had been observed at some point inside the protest zone. But many of them were journalists and other bystanders.
There have been over 643 arrested for the January 6 insurrection. (Source)
So, this ended up being a laugher.
READING ASSIGNMENTS:
Here are some things you should read…
Gazette opinion: Political centrism may not be fashionable, but it’s right for Montana
This editorial is right in so many ways…
With hands tied, Montana officials issue public health plea
People should listen to health experts, not politicians…
Body found in Wyoming believed to be Gabrielle Petito
This story is so sad. Prayers for her family…
The Western Word 
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I have a suggestion for future school board meetings. For anyone who wants to speak in opposition to vaccines and mask mandates, they must first qualify to speak by passing a simple little quiz. Sounds reasonable, right? Otherwise they must defer to the experts.
Larry, could you give attribution for your pop quiz?
I found it in a comment section somewhere. There was no author mentioned. Sorry. But I will research a bit more and see what I can find.
Thanks, I tried to do a screenshot but poor result. Most people do not understand the complexity. I would like to know the answers. These are perilous times. There will be another pandemic and we, as a society are not ready, Sad so sad
This is very disturbing on many levels. But it’s easy to see this reflected in many of the anti-vaxxers here in Montana, not only in the protestors but in our legislators as well. Hard for me to understand how they regressed to this level. With God on the side of the stupid, it’s going to be impossible to bring these folks back to reality.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/09/a-wildly-popular-app-for-churches-is-now-an-antivax-hotbed/
The Covid vaccines were developed quickly because they were supposedly developed at Warp Speed. Does anyone at all believe the right wing extremists would be sowing disinformation and doubts about them, or opposing vaccinating our military to keep it in a ready state, if the self-serving money man for Operation Warp Speed was still in office?
As for Milley, he’s a patriot. People like Rosendale miss the entire point of the Woodward/Costa book, that there was a madman in the office of President. Not a peep abput that. Crickets.
Rosendale lifts the Milley passage from the book and portrays that one passage as fact to make some cheap political hay, namely that he Matt has had an epiphany and now believes in the strict rule of law, at least in some narrow cases. It’s only the weeest bit hollow in the face of Matt’s undying loyalty to Trump who constantly trampled the rule of law, as well as his undying loyalty to Trump’s Big Lie, but the Milley thing is what’s really important. Though how very odd that Matt and his fellow far right travelers would have us believe that one and only one passage out of an entire book is true and the rest is to be ignored.
Probably only a coincidence the passage just happened to be about a general who allegedly took.action that might have thwarted an unquestioned crime against humanity by their Dear Leader, namely the insane act of nuclear war for political effect. Matt’s loyalty is so blind and/or his politics so cravenly diseased that he’s positioned himself as defender of the possible incineration of millions for simple political gain of a wannabe dictator and his extremist sycophants like himself, Matt. In another time and place one could easily imagine Matt playing apologist for Pol Pot.
For Rosie.
In this letter that got this poor guy fired, he gives the best explanation to counter the argument that the vaccine was rushed that I’ve seen yet. It wasn’t.
“Lawyer confirmed on social media that his resignation came in part as a response to a column he wrote in the Flathead Beacon, touting the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. He wrote that commissioners said he should’ve have gotten their permission before sending out the column and other letters.”
https://flatheadbeacon.com/2021/09/15/covid-19-vaccines-are-safe-and-effective/?fbclid=IwAR3BByWth1isfutzUqtAJ-CMw8IQb5c1mrMc4PUU_kr68Qso8K0iVgbPXQg
Larry – That’s a very good common sense explanation for getting the vaccine. Good for Nick Lawyer for his column. Thanks, JmB
Oops! That went before it was ready. Simply unbelievable that the republicans have elevated county commissioners above health professionals to make decisions regarding community health. Let’s face it. County commissioners can be morons.
Larry – the county and city commissioners want power. That’s what it is. Scientists and medical professionals should be the primary place to get our information about COVID. -JmB