Quote for the Day…
It’s hard to accept the truth when the lies were exactly what you wanted to hear. – Unknown
Today’s independent commentary deals with these people/issues:
- Gianforte’s First Year
- The 406 Likes Weed
- The Western Word Poll
- Football! Football
GIANFORTE’S FIRST YEAR:
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte marked his first year with a speech and press conference on Tuesday. Gianforte is the first Republican governor in 16 years, so it seems to me that he and the Republican-controlled legislature tried to pass everything they could. Some of the bills were extreme.
I watched the speech via Facebook, but when it came time for the questions from the press, I could not hear the questions. That made the whole event look like amateur hour. I expect better.
I’m glad that Gianforte talked about his first year. It’s a shame people across Montana could not hear what questions he was answering (or not answering).
Lee Newspapers has a recap of the event HERE.
NBC Montana covers the press conference HERE.
THE 406 LIKES WEED:
Lee Newspapers reported that the recreational cannabis market in Montana topped $1.5 million in sales in its first weekend, according to the state revenue department. With a statewide 20% sales tax on recreational cannabis, that opening weekend haul — $1,566,980 — amounts to $313,396 in tax revenue for the state.
That’s a great start. Thanks to all those who made it possible.
Read the Lee Newspapers story HERE.
THE WESTERN WORD POLL:
The FCS Football National Championship is this Saturday (Jan. 8) with Montana State University playing against North Dakota State University. (Background)
This week’s poll question asks, “Which team will win the FCS National Championship?”
The results will be posted Thursday.
FOOTBALL! FOOTBALL!
Don’t forget that Montana State and North Dakota State play Saturday at 10:00 am for the FCS Championship. That game is on ESPN2. (INFO)
In case you missed it, the NFL changed some games from Sunday to Saturday and picked the Sunday night game. (NFL.com)
- The Chiefs play the Broncos in Denver on Saturday at 2:30 pm Montana time.
- The Cowboys play the Eagles in Philadelphia on Saturday at 6:15 pm Montana time.
Both games are on ESPN.
The Sunday night game on NBC is the Chargers at the Raiders. The winner makes the playoffs. That game starts at 6:20 pm Montana time.
The Western Word 
This is a must read. This is our reality. This is not a both-sides-do-it article. There is one group responsible for the vulgarity, threats, incivility, and intimidation at public meetings. It’s the same group that applauds the treasonous insurrection at the capital. Their blind hatred and anger serve no civic purpose.
https://dailymontanan.com/2022/01/05/anger-has-spread-across-montana-like-a-disease/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=442b5caf-51d6-487e-bac1-a8ed926c123a
Larry – Mary Moe is a great writer and a nice person. Too bad she moved to Missoula. Thanks, JmB
I couldn’t agree more. She is a Great Falls treasure. My hope is that when she gets to Missoula, she will bloom into the writer she should be. Having spent time in Missoula myself, I think there’s a world of literary potential there for Mary. I love Great falls, but my second love is Missoula. It’s a fabulous place to take summer classes and fall in love with Montana all over again. Done that many times over.