Welcome to Monday and “Earth Day 2024!” Here are the topics for today’s independent commentary:

• Earth Day 2024
• Montana is No. 1
• Tester-Sheehy Fundraising
• Biden-Trump 2024

EARTH DAY 2024:

Today is Earth Day and this is a friendly reminder that we only have one earth, so let’s take care of it!

MONTANA IS NO. 1:

Congratulations, Montana – The Daily Montana shared a report from Forbes that showed Montana is No. 1 in the nation for drunk driving fatalities.

The legislature and other leaders in the state should be embarrassed by this ranking.

The Daily Montanan reported that Kevin Dusko, supervisor of the (Montana) state highway traffic safety section of the department, said, “MDT takes the topic very seriously, and we provide a lot of resources — substantial resources — to mitigate impaired driving throughout Montana.”

I think you’re lying, Mr. Dusko. If you are taking drunk driving seriously, then do something about it.

The recent Forbes rating said Montana ranks as the worst for drunk driving by two separate measures. It said 8.57 drunk drivers are involved in fatal crashes for every 100,000 licensed drivers, and 7.14 people are killed in crashes involving a drunk driver for every 100,000 residents. “Both are the highest in the nation,” Forbes said.

It seems people in Montana don’t care about drunk driving until a drunk driver kills a family member or close friend. It’s time to strengthen the laws so that when somebody gets a DUI the first time, they pay dearly.

Many years ago, a drunk driver almost killed my sister and two of her friends. The cars were totaled and my sister was injured for life.

Check out the Daily Montanan article with a link to the Forbes report HERE.

TESTER-SHEEHY FUNDRAISING:

I see that Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy is using the article from the Washington Post as an ad to campaign with on X.

Sheehy seems to understand that with lemons you can make lemonade.

In an email, Sheehy asks for $9 because “Our fundraising has fallen off – and honestly, it’s happening at a TERRIBLE time.”

No shit. Lying will cause people to stop sending you money.

Meanwhile, a few days ago I received a fundraising email from Glenn Close who said,

Hi Jack, this is Glenn Close. I know you’re probably wondering what I’m doing in your inbox. So let me explain!
Jon Tester is running for reelection in Montana—it’s the most important race on the map. This election will determine the future of our country, and I can’t sit on the sidelines with stakes as high as these.
We’re not the only ones who know how important this election is. Mitch McConnell has made Jon his top target, and that means he’ll spend whatever it takes and sink to the lowest of lows to beat Jon.
It’s on us to have his back.

If anyone has seen the 1987 film “Fatal Attraction” then you won’t want to tick off Glenn Close.

BIDEN-TRUMP 2024:

NBC News reported over the weekend that the share of voters who say they have high interest in the 2024 election has hit a nearly 20-year low at this point in a presidential race, according to the latest national NBC News poll, with majorities holding negative views of both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

The poll also shows Biden trimming Trump’s previous lead to just 2 points in a head-to-head contest, an improvement within the margin of error compared to the previous survey, as Biden bests Trump on the issues of abortion and uniting the country, while Trump is ahead on competency and dealing with inflation.

This election is going to be a close one – please don’t make the mistake of voting for Trump. I know this presidential election is kind of like gagging yourself with a spoon, but don’t sit it out and don’t vote for Trump under any circumstance.

Also, when candidates come to your door, ask them if they vote for Trump. If the answer is yes, then don’t vote for them. Then add, “Get off my lawn.”

## HAVE A GREAT WEEK ##