Happy Friday! Here are the topics for today’s column:

• Matt & Matt Tour
• Economy & Prison
• Gift to the Radical Left Democrats
• Execution by Nitrogen Gas
• Football Roundup
• One More Thing

MATT & MATT TOUR:

The Daily Montanan is reporting that Congressman Matt Rosendale is making several appearances this weekend in Montana alongside Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, and right-wing podcast host Steve Bannon teased a possible “very special announcement” with Rosendale next week on his show on Thursday.

There are rumors that Rosendale will announce his bid for the U.S. Senate within the next month and maybe on Bannon’s show.

The Daily Caller News Foundation reported Rosendale would be campaigning with Gaetz this coming weekend, with stops at least in Helena, Townsend and Bozeman. “The Swamp doesn’t want Rosendale because they know Tim Sheehy will be their pawn. Montana can defeat the corrupt big spenders and open borders politicians. I’ll be there to help, often,” Gaetz told the news outlet.

There’s a little battle going on within the Republican Party in Montana. This could become an all-out war if Rosendale enters the Senate race and defeats Sheehy, which he probably would.

ECONOMY & PRISON:

Thursday was a pretty good day for the left as the Associated Press (AP) reported that the nation’s economy grew at an unexpectedly brisk 3.3% annual pace from October through December as Americans showed a continued willingness to spend freely despite high interest rates and price levels that have frustrated many households.

If the economy continues to improve, it will make it harder for President Joe Biden to be defeated.

The AP also reported that Trump White House official Peter Navarro, who was convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, was sentenced on Thursday to four months behind bars.

It’s good to see an official be held accountable. The AP also reported that Navarro was the second Trump aide convicted of contempt of Congress charges. Former White House adviser Steve Bannon previously received a four-month sentence but is free pending appeal.

GIFT TO THE RADICAL LEFT DEMOCRATS:

The AP is reporting that a bipartisan Senate deal to pair border enforcement measures and Ukraine aid faced potential collapse Thursday as Senate Republicans grew increasingly wary of an election-year compromise that Donald Trump, the likely Republican presidential nominee, says is “meaningless.”

It was also reported that Trump ramped up his criticism of the potential compromise, writing in two lengthy posts on his social media platform that it would be “meaningless” in terms of border security and “another Gift to the Radical Left Democrats” as Biden runs for reelection.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) on Thursday took aim at former President Trump for pushing Republican lawmakers to oppose a border deal so that he could use the issue to campaign against President Biden in the 2024 presidential election. (Source)

We should not be surprised that Trump would do this.

Those of you who read this blog frequently have probably heard me say, “It’s all about the next election” in Washington, D.C. Sadly, this is another time my point is proven.

EXECUTION BY NITROGEN GAS:

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Alabama can proceed with using nitrogen gas to put a man (Kenneth Eugene Smith) to death, refusing to block what would be the nation’s first execution by a new method since 1982. The state says it will be humane, but critics call it cruel and experimental. (Source)

And proceed they did:

Officials said Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m. (Thursday night) at an Alabama prison after breathing pure nitrogen gas through a face mask to cause oxygen deprivation. It marked the first time that a new execution method has been used in the United States since lethal injection, now the most commonly used method, was introduced in 1982. (AP)

I don’t really have a problem with the death penalty being used in some circumstances, but what bothers me in this case is that Smith was placed on the table in 2022 and the lethal injection was called off at the last minute because authorities couldn’t connect an IV line.

Here is how the Guardian reported the botched attempt to execute Smith:

Kenneth Smith will be moved within the Holman correctional facility in Alabama to the “death cell”, the bluntly named holding unit where condemned prisoners are placed two days before their appointed execution.
Smith knows the cell well. He knows its dimensions and the feel of the place. He knows that it sits only about 20 feet from the death chamber where, barring a last-minute reprieve, he will be escorted in handcuffs and leg irons on Thursday before being strapped to a gurney to await his fate.
He knows because he has been inside the death cell before. In November 2022, Alabama’s department of corrections put him there as they prepared to execute him by lethal injection.
From inside that cell, he said his goodbyes to his mother and his grandson. He had his last meal. Then he was taken to the death chamber where he spent four hours on the gurney as prison officials tried unsuccessfully to find a vein.
He was suspended upside down for several minutes as officials worked frantically to secure an IV line. By the time officials admitted defeat and called off the execution, his body was riddled with puncture holes.

There should be a law that says when an execution is botched, the person’s death sentence is converted to life in prison.

FOOTBALL ROUNDUP:

Sunday is a big day for NFL football as we will find out which teams head to the Super Bowl.

My Kansas City Chiefs will visit the Baltimore Ravens to see who will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The Ravens are favored, but my Chiefs have played well the past two weeks. The game will start at 1:00 p.m. Montana time on CBS.

The Detroit Lions head to San Francisco to take on the 49ers. The game will start at 4:30 p.m. Montana time and will be televised on Fox. The Niners are favored.

I don’t really think the “who is favored” matters much in these championship games. Anything can happen.

The Super Bowl is February 11 on CBS.

ONE MORE THING:

This has been the theme song for my Chiefs…

Kick it!
You wake up late for school, man, you don’t wanna go
You ask your mom, “Please?”, but she still says, “No!”
You missed two classes and no homework
But your teacher preaches class like you’re some kind of jerk
You gotta fight for your right to party

Your pop caught you smoking, and he said, “No way!”
That hypocrite smokes two packs a day
Man, living at home is such a drag
Now your mom threw away your best porno “mag”
You gotta fight for your right to party

Don’t step out of this house if that’s the clothes you’re gonna wear
I’ll kick you out of my home if you don’t cut that hair
Your mom busted in and said, “What’s that noise?”
Aw, mom you’re just jealous, it’s the Beastie Boys
You gotta fight for your right to party
You gotta fight for your right to party
Party
Party

“Fight For Your Right” Song by Beastie Boys (Video)

## GO CHIEFS ##