Hello faithful readers – we made it to Friday!
Here are the topics that “caught my eye” this week:
- Highwood Creek Outfitters
- Leon Ford Trial
- Adopt-a-Park
- One More Thing
HIGHWOOD CREEK OUTFITTERS:
In case you missed it, Highwood Creek Outfitters is the gun store that was visited by several IRS agents on June 14. Some are calling it a “raid” by the Federal agents. The visit/raid has gotten the MAGA crowd worked up into a frenzy, although they are only hearing one side of the story. Republican U.S. Representative Matt Rosendale (MT-02) has called the visit “Stormtrooper activity by the Biden Administration.” Rosendale is squeezing every ounce of publicity he can out of the issue.
I happened to see on the KMON Radio website that a rally is planned at the store. Here are some details from KMON Radio:
The rally will be held July 1 at 10am in the store parking lot.,and VanHoose says people need to start standing up for their rights. They are calling it a Patriot Rally with a theme. That theme is SUBO. It stands for, Stand up or Bend Over.
I’m sure that every MAGA person for miles around will be there on July 1.
LEON FORD TRIAL:
KTVH in Helena reported that the judge in the Leon Ford trial declared a mistrial after the jury deadlocked after the three-week trial.
Prosecutors accused Leon Ford of murdering and dismembering John “Mike” Crites in 2011. According to KTVH:
Crites’ remains were found at two different locations MacDonald Pass in 2011 and 2012. It would take nearly nine years for investigators to arrest a suspect after the location of the second remains was discovered, and another almost three years for the case to go to trial.
KTVH also reported that lead prosecutor Leo Gallagher told reporters after the announcement of a mistrial that it was a close case, and he wasn’t surprised it ended with a hung jury, but he expected Ford would be retried. A tentative date for a new trial was set for January 2024. The defense told MTN they would attempt to block a retrial on double jeopardy claims.
I have never been a fan of “retrying” a case that has gone through the process and made it to the jury and the jury could not come to a decision. The government basically has unlimited funds and most people do not have the funds to fight very long. Sure, they have public defenders, but they are overwhelmed with cases. We hear so often of courts being very busy. Not retrying cases might clear the docket some.
So, in the immortal words of Eminem, “You only get one shot.”
You can read the story from KTVH HERE and from Lee Newspapers HERE.
ADOPT-A-PARK:
The City of Great Falls announced the “Adopt a Park Program” which provides a service teaching opportunity for a family or a school group, a team-building activity for an agency, and a monthly day of service for individuals.
According to Great Falls Parks and Recreation:
You and your group can help maintain one of the 58 parks in GF or a section of River’s Edge Trail. Picking up liter, helping with spring spruce up, fall leaf raking and other special projects from the park supervisor.
I think this is a good thing! More information can be found HERE.
ONE MORE THING:
LIFE HACK: Don’t vote for people who try to keep you from voting. -@MiddleAgeRiot
The Western Word 
I suspect the gun shop owner has already done some extra-curricular homework, reading up on the 5th Amendment. Ever noticed with Trumpsky and the far-right magats, the louder their shrill cries of “Witch Hunt!!”, “Big Gummint is after me!!”, “It’s all the Deep State trying to make everyone into (pick one) marxists, socialists, communists, fascists, libruls, perverts, and (gasp) voters!!
As this unfolds, watch for an ever-increasing list of things that Mr Van Hoose claims he isn’t guilty of. Pass the popcorn.
I heartily agree DON’T VOTE FOR THESE PEOPLE
LIFE HACK: Don’t vote for people who try to keep you from voting.
Adopt a park,
I and two other elderly women have over many years added plants and maintained the garden in the center of Memorial Park (WW1). It’s grand. Can’t say it’s as nice as Gibson Park but all perennials are from our own gardens. This spring the city turned a sprinkler towards it so it’s the best it has ever been.
Nice. Thanks for doing that. – JmB
Now the great raid is bordering on the absurd. They’re still unable to find a legitimate rationale to justify their outrage. Hence, they’re simply throwing brown stuff at the wall hoping some will stick. And it makes absolutely no sense.
Now the guy is saying it was an illegal search and seizure. It was not. All gun dealers agree to the same terms for a license. Did he not read and sign the exact same agreement that all other gun dealers do? If he did, he has no reason to complain when they show up for a legal inspection unannounced.
He claims without any proof that he will incur millions in lawyers fees. For what? He doesn’t specify. Is he admitting guilt to something? Hard to feel sympathy for a guy who is unable to articulate just how he’s been so severely injured. Does he plan to sue for psychological distress?
He claims the Biden administration is out to get him through various agencies. Some proof would be nice. Otherwise he looks like a whiner.
It’s all bull and I wish some real reporter would show up and confront n his nonsensical accusations. Working people into a frenzy serves no purpose. And it’s quite telling how he implies that we’re lucky no one was injured unnecessarily in possible violence from the raid. Is he admitting that an ordinary inspection could have resulted in bloodshed had his buddies been there? Interesting. Glad to know Mr. Vanhooser is concerned about civilian casualties in his perceived war against legal authority. No wonder Jesse needs to apprised in the future. Commandante Jesse could restrain the troops!
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6329938995112