Quote for the day…
It’s the start that stops most people. – Don Shula
Today’s independent commentary deals with these issues:
- The Western Word Poll
- Elections
- Third-Party/Independent Candidates
- Jury Duty
- Some Good News
- Reading Assignments
THE WESTERN WORD POLL:
This week’s poll question asks, “Do you approve of Elon Musk buying Twitter?” (Background)
The results will be posted later this week.
ELECTIONS:
Tuesday, May 3, is the School and Special Purpose District Elections in Montana. Please make sure you vote!
THIRD-PARTY/INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES:
Lee Newspapers has a story titled “Third-party candidates are on the rise in Montana. But, will it matter?”
The short answer is, “No.”
The Republicans and Democrats have made it tough for independent candidates to get on the ballots. Just imagine if we had more independents serving in the legislature!
I think it should be as easy for independent candidates to get on the ballot as it is for Republicans and Democrats. Lee Newspapers singles in on Gary Buchanan who is running as an independent in US House District 2. Buchanan will need to collect signatures to get on the ballot. If I am reading the “rules’ correctly he will need 8,722 signatures by May 31.
Buchanan has some support so he may make it. He is devoting a lot of time and energy just getting on the ballot.
If they made it as easy for Independents to get on the ballot as they do for Democrats and Republicans, I would probably throw my hat in the ring for a legislative seat – and I would win.
Republicans and Democrats – what are you afraid of?
Read the Lee Newspaper story HERE.
JURY DUTY:
Today (May 2) I was supposed to report for jury duty in State District Court in Great Falls. I delayed some things I was planning so I could be prepared. On Friday evening I called the jury number and was told that the trial was delayed. I must call back on May 13 to see if I need to report on May 16.
I think it’s bullshit to have to wait. I changed my schedule. Since the attorneys can’t get their shit together, then call another pool of jurors for May 16.
Is it even legal to keep jurors hanging like this? I will do some research.
In the immortal words of Eminem, “You only get one shot, do not miss your chance…”
On another note, I have written to the three courts Great Falls Municipal Court, the State District Court (Cascade County), and the U.S. District Court voicing my concerns about the number of times I have put on notice for jury duty:
In 2021 I was alerted of possible jury service three times in all three of your courts. In 2020, I was also alerted of possible jury service three times in two of your courts.
It’s 2022, and I am back on the list again.
I will let you know when I get a response. I asked for responses in writing.
SOME GOOD NEWS:
I was notified that I am a winner in the “Conlin’s Furniture Bracket Buster Giveaway” sponsored by KRTV. The contest was for the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament.
I won a ROKU Express streaming device! Is this a great country or what?
Thanks to KRTV and Conlin’s for putting on this contest!
READING ASSIGNMENTS:
Here are some articles you should read…
GF Tribune – Complaint: Great Falls police officer fired after reporting abuse, stalking by fellow cop
There seem to be some problems in the Great Falls Police Department…
Helena IR – Prison sergeant responds to report on white nationalist ties
He is threatening to tell Fox News about the attack on him…
AlterNet – Twitter erupts with questions after Ted Cruz says Disney will show ‘Mickey and Pluto going at it’
I wonder if Cruz knows he will never be President…
The Western Word 
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Gary Buchanan supposedly has someone in Great Falls who is responsible for collecting signatures here, but I have heard or read nothing about any efforts, and been approached by no collector. So voters who would like to see him on the ballot can take action themselves by downloading a signature petition from Buchanan’s website, sign it and get all their friends and family to sign as well, and then turn it in to the county election office. Be sure to read all the instructions, dot i’s, cross t’s, etc.
https://www.buchananformontana.com/#!/volunteer
As for the Wotanist prison guard under fire, I really hope he does call on Fox News about his freedom of religion complaint. They’re such noted defenders of non-Christian religions, as American Muslims, Hindus, Wiccans, etc. well know. Should be entertaining.
I met Gary years ago when we were working on I-122, the first water quality initiative. He was a great supporter of the measure, which placed him at great personal risk to himself and his business. He didn’t care. He did the right thing anyway. But that’s Gary. He’s gonna do what’s right and let the chips fall where they may. And that’s why he has the respect and support of so many old school republicans and democrats both. He would be fantastic. I believe he can unhorse the phony boot scootin Putin pretender.
I showed up at the courthouse for jury duty. There were two lines and I got in one of them. I asked a lady if I was in the right line, she looked at my papers and said yes . When I finally got to the desk I was told to get in the other line. When I got to that desk that lady told me I was in the wrong line and sent me to another line in a small office. That lady without comment took me back to the second line and gave her my papers. She looked irritated and after making me stand around awhile told me I was dismissed. I was in the Home Depot parking lot when I got a text threatening me for not showing up for jury duty. Took me three calls to talk to the person that sent the text. She told me not to worry about it. She sounded irritated.
It was a privilege and an honor.
Palmer was my son’s baseball coach and a friend of my nephew who is also a cop. He is a piece of work.
Bill – sounds like quite an ordeal at the courthouse!
When I have reported I’ve noticed the folks working there are not that happy.
The GFPD has some issues it appears. The court case will be interesting.
Thanks, JmB
Bill – Not excusing the less-than-cordial dealings you experienced, but the situation starts at the top and trickles down to (or on) the people who actually deal with the public. It’s always interesting to consider, too, how you would feel and behave if you had to experience that sort of environment every day, all day. That’s why I try always to make eye contact, smile, and offer a brief, inane pleasantry. Hopefully, that helps them be a little more cordial with the next in line…………probably not, but it doesn’t cost anything, so why not?
Fred
I worked in a position for the city that took a beating from the public and the local news for years. Mismanagement, theft and incompetence by the powers that be was the norm. Some of it you may have heard of, much of it was slid under the rug. Most of the public I encountered were fine but even a small percentage that were not wore me down over the years. I didn’t take it out on the customers. When it got to be too much I just quit showing up. I do know what you mean and i agree with your thoughts.