Quote for the day…

Do not correct a fool, or he will hate you; correct a wise man and he will appreciate you. -Unknown

Today’s independent commentary deals with these issues:

• The Western Word Poll
• Great Falls Homeless Issue
• Senate Gun Deal
• Reading Assignments

THE WESTERN WORD POLL:

This week’s poll question asks, “Should ZooMontana host the Drag Queen Story Hour?” (Background HERE & HERE)

The results will be posted later this week.

GREAT FALLS HOMELESS ISSUE:

The city of Great Falls, besides filing a lawsuit against the First United Methodist Church, will be holding a public hearing on Tuesday about approving an “Emergency Shelter” Conditional Use Permit on church property.

The meeting will be held Tuesday, June 14, at 3:00 pm in the commission chambers at the civic center. More information about the meeting and how you can give comments can be found HERE.

I think we all know how this will turn out.

There are a lot of haters in Great Falls and some of them are elected officials.

I think the city should approve the permit. The church is doing its job. The city is not.

I sent my comments to the board Sunday night. I asked them to approve the permit.

If people who are using property break the law (drinking/drugs/etc.) then the city police should arrest them. Just like any other place in any city across the country if there’s high crime in one area the police should show more of a presence there. Duh.

I imagine if some groups like Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts were camped in the parking lot, some angry asses in Great Falls would have a problem with that, too.

So far, I have not seen anyone in authority from the city show any compassion for these people – most just want them out of sight.

It is time for compassion and leadership, Great Falls.

SENATE GUN DEAL:

Although it’s not everything everyone wanted (that’s called compromise) the Associated Press (AP) reported Senate bargainers on Sunday announced the framework of a bipartisan response to last month’s mass shootings, a noteworthy but limited breakthrough offering modest gun curbs and stepped-up efforts to improve school safety and mental health programs.

Here are some of the ideas in the framework, according to the AP:

• The compromise would make the juvenile records of gun buyers under age 21 available when they undergo background checks.
• The agreement would offer money to states to enact and put in place “red flag” laws that make it easier to temporarily take guns from people considered potentially violent, plus funds to bolster school safety and mental health programs.
• Some people who informally sell guns for profit would be required to obtain federal dealers’ licenses, which means they would have to conduct background checks of buyers.
• Convicted domestic abusers who do not live with a former partner, such as estranged ex-boyfriends, would be barred from buying firearms, and it would be a crime for a person to legally purchase a weapon for someone who would not qualify for ownership.

Although this is what they agreed on, what ends up on paper in the proposed bill is another thing. The finish line is a way off, but it is a good step.

READING ASSIGNMENTS:

Here are some articles you should read…

Bozeman Daily Chronicle – Editorial: Why don’t more people vote in local elections?
People are lazy…

AP – 31 Patriot Front members arrested near Idaho pride event
How many are Montana residents…

NBC News – Sarah Palin advances in special primary for Alaska’s House seat
Sarah is back…

Time – Here’s How Much the Supreme Court Justices Made Last Year
Nice gig…

## HAVE A GREAT WEEK ##