Hello! Here are the topics for today’s independent commentary:
- Montana Freedom Caucus
- Illegal Alien Bounty Hunter Program
- Tennessee State Sen. Ken Yager
MONTANA FREEDOM CAUCUS:
The Montana Freedom Caucus is upset and called out the Joint Rules Committee members who voted against a proposed rule change to limit bathroom access for transgender lawmakers. The rule change failed.
The following information was found on X and posted on the Montana Sentinel website:
My opinion about this issue differs from the Montana Freedom Caucus. I am tired of the hatred shown toward trans people. The hatred in Montana toward people who are perceived as different is sickening.
I applaud the people listed in red who voted against this silly rule.
ILLEGAL ALIEN BOUNTY HUNTER PROGRAM:
I am sure the Montana Legislature will try something like this…
NewsNation is reporting:
A bill introduced in the Missouri Senate would give residents a $1,000 payout for reporting migrants who entered the country illegally.
The proposal is one of at least seven bills introduced in the state’s legislature to focus on immigration, all sponsored by Republican legislators.
Senate Bill 72 would also develop a “Missouri Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program,” which would certify people to be bounty hunters for the specific purpose of finding and detaining immigrants without proper documents. Anyone licensed as a bail bond agent would be eligible to apply for the program.
Sen.-elect David Gregory proposed the legislation, which would create an online portal for people to make reports to the State Highway Patrol and be eligible for the payout.
It’s going to be a long four years…
TENNESSEE STATE SEN. KEN YAGER:
I have written a lot in the past about drunk driving and how Montana does little to prevent drunk driving. All drunk driving is bad, but when an elected official gets busted for driving while intoxicated, I take notice.
WTVH in Nashville is reporting that Georgia authorities confirm state Sen. Ken Yager (R) was arrested for driving under the influence after a hit-and-run crash.
Raw Story is reporting that a video provided by WTVF suggested that Yager urinated on himself during a field sobriety test. Georgia troopers also said Yager tripped and fell.
That was probably the only warm feeling Yager felt. He should resign.
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The Western Word 
Re: Freedom caucus. It’s amazing to me that their hate has no shelf life. You would think that their intense incessant hatred toward LBGQT folks would eventually take a toll on their own souls causing them to reflect that maybe it wasn’t worth it to destroy themselves on such a quixotic, morally offensive, and un-Biblical quest. But MAGAs are not the type of people for serious introspection. Their evil cult does their thinking for them in spite of what Jesus says. And what exactly did Jesus say about sex changes? He was OK with that. But then again, MAGA Jesus is a make-it-up-as-you-go deity.
Matthew 19:11-12
New International Version
11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
I hadn’t realized that the head wack doodle hate monger was a resident in Montana who has dedicated his entire life and reason for being to hate. Hate of gays, hate of trans, and just hate in general. I’m sure this disgusting evil moron has a lot to do with influencing the christofascists in our legislature and the bills they produce. And it’s sad that this is the type of low life Nazi Montana is attracting. Nazi? Of course. Hitler too went after the trans folks first. Good article on this kook. The comment section is quite good too.
Our beloved Montana has become a christofascist kook magnet I’m afraid.
https://www.rawstory.com/matt-walsh/
Our little christofascist freedom caucus are in good company. When they persecute gays and trans, they are just following orders like good Germans did. Pretty sickening. What the hell is wrong with these people? Have they lost their humanity?
https://mjhnyc.org/blog/transgender-experiences-in-weimar-and-nazi-germany/
A long long time ago even before MAGA was a thing a proto-MAGA explained it to me. They don’t want anyone else telling their kids it is okay to be who they want to be or think they are, because they don’t want their kids thinking gay or whatever is acceptable. They would rather have a kid go through life shamed and/or confused and/or sneaking around and/or loathing him or herself than be a parent or grandparent who has a gay kid. It is all about the parent’s self-image and worldview. Like Mary Hartman obsessing over the perfect toy family in the dollhouse as escape from her own real life.
Anything along the lines of a kid coming out is a big life change for the kid as well as his parents and family. Since it is their kid after all not anyone else’s, I can totally understand the opposition to some outsider counseling the kid on what to do with his or her life. (Which of course does not apply to them keeping their own nose out of others’ reproductive choices, but whatever.)
The other day at the store I overheard one MAGA tell another that the only things taught in Great Falls Public Schools are politics and gender identity. This is how far things have gone as regard MAGA beliefs. Schools have a lot of work to do in changing that perception.
Terry, they got this new thing out. Maybe you’ve heard of it. It’s called curriculum, and lesson plans. If any parent wants to know what their kid is being taught, all they have to do is inquire. It’s all there on a daily basis. On computer.
And I have yet to see the lesson plan that says today we turn kids gay! I know. I’ve developed numerous curriculum, and it’s a real pain. The state gives you a huge book of goals for each subject, and you have 180 days to cover each goal. And every classroom minute is filled up. Try it sometime. So MAGA parents have no reason to be ignorant regarding what their kids are being taught. It’s all accessible.
But if they have concerns, they can either home school or send their kids to one of the many Christian madrassas popping up around the state which we will eventually pay for. Montana has some of the best schools in the country. Only a MAGA would not appreciate them. But then again, folks who believe the earth is four thousand years old like our governor does will never value a real education.
US Senator Ted Kennedy (D) pissed himself when he drove off that bridge.
Not sure what’s you’re getting at with that comment. Care to explain? -JmB
Was wondering if Yager was a (D) would you or WTVH be reporting/commenting on it.
Yes. Drunk driving is a problem. If you ever see a D or R get a DUI, point it out. -JmB
Disappointing to see that even after Ed Buttrey pointed out the stupidity of the proposed rule, he went ahead and voted yes anyhow. He often comes down on the side of common sense. From Steve Fitzpatrick you expected nothing less.
As I noted last night, a yes vote also equates to forcing biological females who identify as, look, act, and dress like men to use the ladies room. So nice job there, Ed and Steve. That could be some surprise. If the rule passes maybe someone could organize a protest and send a whole bunch of human beings who fit that mold to Helena for a hijinks filled day of “guys use the ladies room in the Capitol”. Could make for even more great national publicity for Montana.
I imagine when the session begins and since the whole legislature will have to vote on the rule, this will be top news again.
I don’t see how this could ever be enforced if it does pass. -JmB
I have never previously been exposed to the Montana Freedon Caucus website. Sadly, I was not surprised that they seem to be a cross between a sel-appointed “Vigilante” posse and a gang of extortionists threatening, presumably, some sort of political retribution.
But it is interesting to note that they believe Steve Fitzpatrick is in the House of Representatives, when in fact, he is now the Senate Majority Leader and was the President of the Senate in previous legislative sessions. I guess they can’t discern that father and son are two different people.
Perfect example of the ignorant leading the uniformed. Unfortunately, these folks rather than believing this is a “bad look” for Montana, thnk it enhances teir “street cred” in the race to the bottom in Republican politices. How far have we fallen!
It seems that Fitzpatrick has been in the legislature for a long time. He has been able to beat the system. I am not sure how many terms he has left. -JmB
I think Steve Fitzpatrick was termed out of the Senate. He took advantage of the “we just call them term limits” loophole by running for and winning Great Falls area HD24. Same musical chairs scheme Ed Buttrey has used to remain in the legislature forever.
It’s good Fitzpatrick remained in the legislature. Someone has to champion the interests of Northwestern Energy and especially its shareholders over those of normal rate-paying Montanans (IMO), and his ex-Northwestern lobbyist dad now Rep from Anaconda can’t carry the burden alone.
https://montanafreepress.org/2021/04/07/northwestern-energy-bill-moves-toward-final-approval-in-senate/