Quote for the Day…
One of the most dangerous things you can do is believe someone’s opinion about you. – Unknown
In today’s column, I take a quick look at these people/issues:
- Rosendale & NRA
- Ballot Issues
- Second Amendment Preservation Act
- The Western Word Poll
ROSENDALE & NRA:
Lee Newspapers reported late Monday that a lawsuit filed against U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale and the National Rifle Association lays out an elaborate scheme through which the political arm of the gun group allegedly provided the Montana Republican nearly $400,000 in illegal, in-kind contributions in 2018.
Lee also reported that Giffords, a non-profit gun-control group founded by former Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, accuses the NRA and Rosendale of illegally coordinating campaigns during Montana’s 2018 U.S. Senate race, which Rosendale lost to Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Tester.
Some of the published evidence in the article seems damaging. By the way, I am not a lawyer, and I have never played one on television or social media!
With Rosendale up for reelection next year and with his approval rating sitting at 32% in the latest MSU Billings poll, coupled with some extreme votes, he does not have room for any errors. It would be tough on his reelection if there’s a court case and his opponent drags him through the mud for several months.
You can read the complete story from Lee Newspapers HERE.
BALLOT ISSUES:
A Twitter follower pointed me toward the Montana Secretary of State’s website where the ballot issues are published. This is a good site to visit a few times a month.
An interesting one to me is: “Proposes to divide the state of Montana into the two separate states of North Montana and South Montana and provides the proposed border between the new states.”
Another one “proposes to divide the state of Montana into two states and form the state of East Montana.”
Great googly moogly…
Visit the SOS website HERE.
SECOND AMENDMENT PRESERVATION ACT:
Sunday night 60 Minutes did a segment on a new gun law in Missouri called the Second Amendment Preservation Act or SAPA for short. It prohibits state agencies from helping the federal government enforce any law, rule, or regulation which Missouri considers an infringement on the right to bear arms. Each violation can carry a $50,000 penalty.
It was also reported that 17 states have laws on their books similar to the Second Amendment Preservation Act, though none goes as far as Missouri.
Montana is one of those 17 states.
In the story, it was reported that the bill outlaws Missouri state resources from being used to further federal gun regulation. But the sweeping law doesn’t stop there. It also dictates under what circumstances a Missouri officer can help a federal agent investigate or prosecute a gun crime.
It’s funny how some states don’t want the federal government to “infringe” but when there’s a drought, tornado, hurricane, flood, or blizzard, the state cries to the feds for help.
I expect the law to be thrown out.
You can read/watch the 60 Minutes story HERE.
THE WESTERN WORD POLL:
It’s the first week after the time change! So, this week’s poll question asks, “Time Change – which do you favor?”
Results will be released later this week.
The Western Word 
Buckle up. Gonna be a wild ride. But seriously, where do these kooks get these ideas? I’m sure that some elected folks here in GF are already on board and are already trying to “educate” the public with their materials. Sound familiar? Me, personally, I’m a gaggler.
“ Constitutional County (TCC) has been creating educational materials, websites, and a radio show. But MacKenzie and TCC are actively pursuing the taking-back of our nation from the gaggle of despots and dictators – from the federal to county level – who desire to control our lives, whether from across the country or down the street.”
https://montanadailygazette.com/2021/11/08/the-constitutional-county-its-not-an-idea-its-a-movement-join/
Perhaps it is a good thing this guy wants to investigate the ES&S voting machines. There have been allegations that they have weaknesses that have enabled various Republican organizations to manipulate them in order to rig elections for many years. Not to mention other problems, and some odd business strategies.
Why let Dominion and Smartmatic have all the fun under the public microscope? Let’s have at ES&S as well. Unless, of course, the real idea behind all the current right wing attacks on Dominion and Smartmatic is to smear those machine companies to promote the use of more ES&S machines for … whatever reasons.
Caveat emptor, left-leaning sources.
https://www.justice-integrity.org/40-rove-vote-switching-empire-alleged-to-threaten-nov-6-results
https://www.salon.com/2012/11/20/did_anonymous_stop_rove_stealing_the_election/
https://www.propublica.org/article/the-market-for-voting-machines-is-broken-this-company-has-thrived-in-it
Yes but, these guys are just kooks who espouse a hodgepodge of right wing Christian fascist nonsense. Their goals are far different that those of the writers you mention. The country they envision is not America. Never was.
https://montanadailygazette.com/2021/11/01/the-constitutional-county-an-overview/
Let’s do something, even if it’s stupid! It looks good, and those lacking critical thinking skills respond. And vote accordingly.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/missouris-second-amendment-preservation-act-frustrates-law-enforcement-and-gun-enthusiasts-071933365.html