Quote for the Day…
I have a very active anti-social life. – Unknown
Welcome to 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:
- Montana AG Austin Knudsen
- Safest States During COVID-19
- Great Falls Municipal Election
- One More Thing
MONTANA AG AUSTIN KNUDSEN:
In case you missed it, in a news release Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen issued legal guidance on the status of the Biden administration’s announced federal vaccine mandate.
Knudsen said his “office is preparing to immediately challenge and enjoin this federal overreach on a variety of grounds when the Biden administration issues its announced rule.”
Knudsen stated, “House Bill 702 is the law in Montana, and it prohibits employers from discriminating against people based on their vaccination status. Two separate lawsuits have been filed attempting to rollback these protections for Montana workers, but these pro-discrimination lawsuits have not changed the law,” Knudsen wrote in the memo. “Discrimination based on vaccination status is illegal in Montana. Violators of the law can – and should – be held accountable.”
This reminds me many Republicans in the state were against REAL-ID back in 2007. I said at that time that Montana would end up complying or risk losing federal money. They are complying now and even running some ridiculous commercials about it. Montana looked silly.
If/when the rules are in place about vaccines or getting regular testing, I imagine they will be tied to federal funding. Montana will end up complying and AG Knudsen will end up wasting valuable time and money filing silly lawsuits.
I think Knudsen should concentrate on combating the drunks driving on Montana roads, the drug problems, missing children, and many other things and stop with the theatrics.
You can read the news release from AG Knudsen HERE.
SAFEST STATES DURING COVID-19:
With around 57% of the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and vaccination being essential for getting the economy back on track, WalletHub today released updated rankings for the Safest States During COVID-19.
WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across five key metrics. Our data set includes the rates of COVID-19 transmission, positive testing, hospitalizations, and death, as well as the share of the eligible population getting vaccinated.
Spoiler Alert:
Connecticut is the safest state (#1).
Montana is one of the least safe states (#48).
Way to go Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and the Republicans in the Montana Legislature! Freedom!
Check out the report from WalletHub by clicking HERE.
GREAT FALLS MUNICIPAL ELECTION:
Hey Great Falls readers – KRTV has posted extended interviews with all the candidates – two for Mayor, and six for City Commission on their website.
The races are non-partisan, but a local Republican state representative has given his thoughts about the political leanings of the candidates. Here is what State Representative Jeremy Trebas says about the candidates:
Even though this is a “non-partisan” race there are clearly those that are democrat and left, and republican and/or conservative.
The conservatives are Paige Turoski, Joshua Copeland, Joe McKenney, and for mayor, Fred Burow
The democrats/leftists are the current mayor, Bob Kelly and Susan Wolff. I think Wolff is more a center moderate but there are better choices.
Thanks to all the candidates for running for office.
As for me, I like moderate/independent politicians. I do not want to see a bunch of Trump supporters running/ruining Great Falls.
You can see the KRTV interviews by clicking HERE.
ONE MORE THING:
I went down to the paint store to get thinner. It didn’t work. -Unknown
The Western Word 
Li’l Auggie … https://mooreonmontana.com/2021/09/17/nothin-else-to-do/
Funny – thanks for sharing! -JmB
Just got back from my third on-line appointment for a Covid shot at Walgreens. Third time I was turned away. Turns out they are not vaccinating because of a staff shortage. I asked why they are still taking appointments, they don’t know. Can’t call to confirm, there’s no one to answer the phone. Feels like a Seinfeld episode.
Bill – That sucks. I received my first two at CVS. They were like a finely tuned processing line. I am not qualified for the booster yet. Hope it works out for you soon. Thanks, JmB
Which Walgreen’s?
How can there be a staff shortage? Gianforte ended that damn Covid bonus Fed unemployment benefit in June(?) to force all Montanans to go back to work, claiming that’s what was causing the staff shortages in Montana.
The one on tenth. It’s no hardship for me to have a few appointments blown off but I feel for the people that it’s a real inconvenience to.
A little erudition for our anti-vax, anti-science morons. Will might say…
“But we in it shall be remember’d,
We few, we happy few, we band of bullshitters!”
Hit replay. Sorry. It will come up.
Larry – got it. Thanks, JmB
Did you ever notice that when the feds say employers (or anyone else) need to do something it is overreach, but if our legislature or governor says they cannot do something or must do something, that’s apparently just hunky dory? How about ALL the know-nothing politicians just butt out pf the Covid vaccine and mask , and let each employer decide for themselves what is right to protect their employees, customers, and themselves? You know, that “personal responsibilitu” that Gisnforte claims to treasure?
Sorry, finger slipped before I was done. That was me.
Wanted to make one other observation:
If Trebas makes a statement that there are better choices than a center moderate, that necessarily means the conservatives he’s endorsing are not representative of mainstream Montana/Great Falls and probably should be avoided. We don’t need extremist ideologues in local government pushing the modern Republican party’s reactionary agenda.
Though I do like what I have heard from Copeland so far even though I don’t agree with everything. He seems pretty down to earth and forthright.
Terry – Thanks. Copeland was in the Air Force at Malmstrom, I believe. think it’s good to have someone like that on the commission. -JmB
Jackie,
Two weeks in a row your vision is clear. Good job. You are right on the money with your comments on Austin Knudson’s position. He is embarrassing himself and all lawyers with this position.
Montana does indeed have a long history of this type of futile resistance to the detriment of ordinary citizens. The years long refusal of the Legislature to adopt a mandatory seatbelt law is another classic example. Much transportation funding was diverted from highway improvements to seatbelt safety advertising for years. It is still true today that the majority of automobile deaths in Montana are related to not wearing seatbelts.
Thank you for pointing out this foolish obstinance.
Edward – thank you for your comments and for reading! -JmB