Happy Friday, friends! Here are the topics that caught my eye for today’s column:
- Manchin & Tester
- Malmstrom AFB
- Support for Marijuana
- It’s Getting Crowded
- Veterans Day
MANCHIN & TESTER:
The AP and several other sources reported that Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced Thursday that he won’t seek reelection in 2024, giving Republicans a prime opportunity to pick up a seat in the heavily GOP state. Manchin is 76 years old.
It wasn’t long after the Manchin announcement that “Team Tester” of the Democratic Values PAC sent an email with the following message:
Moments ago, Senator Joe Manchin announced he would not seek reelection in West Virginia. I want to tell you what that means for our race here in Montana.
This officially makes us Mitch McConnell’s number one target. You can bet that every dollar national Republicans would have spent in West Virginia is now coming to Montana.
Mitch McConnell only needs to flip two seats to retake the Senate majority, and with a new open seat in West Virginia, reelecting Jon Tester is the only chance we have to stop him.
Over $5 million is already being spent in Montana—that’s more than any other Senate race in the country right now. Polls are virtually tied. All eyes are on us.
Of course, they then asked for donations.
This announcement does make it easier for the Republicans to win the majority in the Senate. The West Virginia race is now for an open seat, and they are almost always more competitive. I don’t think this means the sky is falling for Tester. His team was probably advised about Manchin’s announcement earlier, so Team Tester probably decided to start their ad blitz now.
As I have said all along, Tester will be hard to beat. At this moment, I don’t see anyone who can do it.
MALMSTROM AFB:
Once again, Malmstrom AFB near Great Falls made history during Global Strike Challenge 2023 by taking home the Blanchard trophy, naming them ‘best overall missile wing’ for the fifth contest in a row. (Source)
Global Strike Challenge is the world’s premier bomber, intercontinental ballistic missile, helicopter operations and security forces competition. Malmstrom competed against hundreds of other participants who represented Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Reserve Command, and the Air National Guard.
A special shout-out to the folks in my old career field, Security Forces, for bringing home several first-place awards. #Winning
SUPPORT FOR MARIJUANA:
Earlier this week, Gallup Polling reported that seven in 10 Americans think marijuana use should be legal, the highest level yet after holding steady at 68% for three years. Twelve percent of Americans backed legalizing marijuana when Gallup first asked about it in 1969.
Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted Oct. 2-23, 2023, with a random sample of 1,009 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Is this a great country or what?
Check out the complete report from Gallup HERE.
IT’S GETTING CROWDED:
The human species has topped 8 billion, with longer lifespans offsetting fewer births, but world population growth continues a long-term trend of slowing down, the U.S. Census Bureau said Thursday. (Source)
That means it is more important than ever that people remember to stay off my lawn…
VETERANS DAY:
Saturday is Veterans Day, and I would like to take a moment to salute my fellow veterans. Thank you for your sacrifices. You have made this world a much better place!
The Western Word 
Jasmine Taylor for Montana
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The hearing for my ethics complaint against Commissioner Tryon is tomorrow. Attorneys have recommended the ethics committee dismiss my complaint. This is no surprise as it appears the ethics committee is essentially toothless as they cannot (or did not) require Tryon to actually provide requested documents.
The attached screenshots are public record and show that Commissioner Tryon refused to disclose necessary financial information to prove his claim that he is not in an employment relationship with E City Beat. He also claims ECB is a separate business entity, but as we know, Faccenda did NOT have ECB as a registered business with the state of Montana or a DBA. As outlined in my complaint, those wishing to pay for advertising on ECB are directed to contract Stray Moose Productions. Stray Moose IS a registered business entity, and Tryon acknowledges that he does indeed work (and receive financial compensation for this work) for Stray Moose.
So, here’s the breakdown.
1) Rick acknowledges receiving wages from Stray Moose.
2) Rick tries to distance himself from ECB arguing he is only an occasional contributor, and claims it’s a separate business despite it not being registered with the state as such.
3) Rick refuses to provide requested financial information regarding this employment relationship.
4) As Rick fails to provide this information we are required to rely on his boss stating that Rick isn’t compensated in relationship to ECB. (And I guess we just take his word for that because why not? Maybe they made him pinky promise?).
5) Attorney states that the goals of the ethical code regarding public trust are only “aspirational” and essentially can’t be applied because the employment relationship cannot be tied to Ricks official duties. Rather this section is only meant to “guide and inspire” employees and officials. Ergo, adhering to those ethical standards is purely optional.
6) Dismissal recommended.
Unsurprisingly, the recommendation, interpretation of the code, and glossing over Rick’s refusal to provided requested documentation is all most favorable to Rick.
I plan to go through with the hearing despite the recommendation for dismissal because Great Falls deserves transparency and accountability from its elected representatives, especially those who use their position of power to bully and degrade private citizens.
Taking on only those battles we know we can win would mean never taking on any battles at all.
I spent years working on the base and and had the opportunity to visit with many of the airmen and women from all over the country stationed there. As a kid I mowed lawns for the grounds crew and as an adult worked many jobs including the refueling mission and the coal heating plant. We are lucky to have Malmstrom and the people stationed there.
Very true. Thanks, JmB