Quote for the Day…
Adulthood is like losing your mom in the grocery store for the rest of your life. -Unknown
In today’s column, I take a quick look at these people/issues:
- Cascade County District Court
- Election Security
- The Western Word Poll
CASCADE COUNTY DISTRICT COURT:
It appears there are no uniform rules to protect Cascade County jurors from being exposed to COVID in the Cascade County State District Court, according to a recent story in the Great Falls Tribune.
The Tribune told the story of a 71-year-old juror named Dan Donovan who has health problems and jumped through all the hoops only to find several people not social distancing or wearing masks in the courtroom of Judge David Grubich, who by the way is a Governor Greg Gianforte pick.
The Tribune reported that since Grubich’s swearing-in in July, he has not issued a standing order on COVID-19 safety precautions, and he said he is not mandating masks in his courtroom.
I guess Gianforte knows how to pick em!
Since one judge is not mandating masks, that means the whole Cascade County Courthouse could be a COVID hotspot.
It’s hard for me to have any respect for judges when they act like idiots.
It was even uncovered by the Tribune interview that one of the State District Court Judges contracted COVID-19. Donovan told the Tribune, “So, if a vaccinated judge can get COVID, a vaccinated juror can get COVID.”
Potential jurors or anyone needing to do business in the courthouse should probably think twice about stepping foot in the Cascade County courthouse.
Read the complete Tribune story HERE.
ELECTION SECURITY:
In my “Reading Assignments” section Monday I provided a link to the MTN News story about Republican state lawmakers wanting to form a special legislative committee to examine election laws and the “security of Montana elections.”
MTN News reported that all but a dozen of the state’s 98 Republican state lawmakers has signed a letter asking for the special committee.
They must be drinking from the silly fountain.
I said that I thought it would be a waste of time and resources.
I would like to see that much interest in forming a special committee to combat the drunk driving epidemic in Montana. The state ranks third for the worst DUI problems and the state’s 7.44 DUI death rate per 100K puts Montana at the top in that category. (Source)
They could also spend time and money on the illegal drug problem, missing children, and many more worthwhile things.
You can read the full MTN News report by clicking HERE.
THE WESTERN WORD POLL:
The 2021 Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs are set. This week’s poll question asks, “Which team will be the 2021 World Series Champion?”
Results will be posted later this week.
The Western Word 
I heard that Judge Grubich requires the Pledge to be said before all proceedings. Good on him.
good blog , keep up the good work.
John – thank you. Thanks for reading! -JmB