Tuesday’s Quick Hits

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Welcome to The Western Word! Remember that knowledge isn’t free; you have to pay attention! Here are the topics for today’s commentary:

  • FISA Reauthorization
  • U.S. House Foreign Aid Votes
  • TikTok Ban
  • One More Thing

FISA REAUTHORIZATION:

This is good news! In case you missed it, Reuters reported that the U.S. Senate voted late on Friday night to approve the reauthorization of a controversial surveillance program, narrowly missing the midnight expiration of the program, and the White House said President Joe Biden would swiftly sign it.

The Senate vote was 60-34, and the House vote was 273-147.

Our four Montana clowns (Tester, Daines, Rosendale, and Zinke) who we have representing us in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House voted “NO” on the reauthorization, meaning they wanted us to be less safe.

Freedom is not free.

U.S. HOUSE FOREIGN AID VOTES:

It was a little confusing watching the U.S. House vote on the separate funding requests for foreign aid. Here are the votes and how Rep. Matt Rosendale and Rep. Ryan Zinke voted.

  • As for the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, Rosendale and Zinke voted NO. (Source) It passed the House 366-58.
  • Concerning the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, Rosendale and Zinke voted NO. (Source). It passed the House 311-112.
  • The Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 passed the House 385-34. (Source) Rosendale voted No and Zinke voted Yes.
  • The 21st Century Peace through Strength Act passed the House 360-58. (Source) Rosendale voted No and Zinke voted Yes.

I believe the U.S. Senate will take up these bills today.

TIKTOK BAN:

The U.S. House added a TikTok ban to the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act that passed the House 360-58. Rep. Rosendale voted No on the bill, while Rep. Zinke voted Yes. I would like to thank Rosendale for voting No on behalf of all the TikTok folks.

Rosendale must understand free speech more than I thought he did.

The Associated Press (AP) probably put the TikTok ban vote best with this headline:

“The House votes for possible TikTok ban in the US, but don’t expect the app to go away anytime soon” (Source)

I would like to say to those who voted to ban TikTok, “Go “F” yourself.”

ONE MORE THING:

The trouble with the world is not that people know too little; it’s that they know so many things that just aren’t so. ― Mark Twain

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7 thoughts on “Tuesday’s Quick Hits”

  1. No real need to thank Rosendale for the No vote on Tiktok. Matt was merely mailing it in and doing what he has done for his entire two terms in office, voting No on everything.

    It had to be a satisfying few days for him.

    No.

    No, no, no, no.

    And … hmmm …. let’s see … no!

    Least. Productive. Congressman. Ever.

    • Thanks. I figured that, but hoped Matt or his people would see it and make them think a little. 😂. -JmB

    • Larry not really sure I agree that the TikTok issue really has that much to do with Israel. Politicians have been carrying on about “the China threat” for a number of years.

      Our elected officials need no excuse whatsoever to pass laws to “protect” people who never asked for their protection. If it scores points with their political base they will ban other people from doing it.

      See laws protecting parents from making their own choice on whether or not their kids could see a drag queen story hour, or laws “protecting women” from making their own choices about about their own bodies, or laws “protecting” parents and kids from making their own choices about transgender treatment, and etc.

      It’s all about personal liberty and keeping the government out of our lives … until it isn’t.

      • The Israel lobby is extremely powerful in this country, and has been ever since JFK tried to make them register as a foreign agent. We all know how that worked out. When Bobby ran for president partly to investigate who actually killed his brother, he too was terminated. Hence, it was fortunately for Israel free rein ever since. 

        The Kennedy brothers realized early on the destructive nature of such a powerful unrestrained lobby and its ability to take over our government. And it has. Many of the powerful players have dual Israeli and US citizenship. Thus, their true allegiance is questionable.

        And now we have the christofascist element in this country who proclaim to be Christian Zionists. Their love and admiration for Israel knows no bounds. They even forgive the current genocide as somehow being a good thing. It’s a very strange relationship cultivated by the right wing pastors. Basically makes no sense. Somehow Jesus became the savior of the Jews.

        Here’s an excellent discussion on the topic. It explains it better than I can. It’s worth a watch if you’re really interested in the topic. I personally believe all Americans should be, because currently the tail is wagging the dog. Along with Israel, we are becoming a pariah nation for supporting their genocide. And karma is still a thing!

        I can’t seem to post it.

      • I think the answer to the assassination was leaked in the movie “Shooter” starring Mark Wahlberg. 😎-JmB

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