Hello! Here are the topics that I am covering for this column:

• Montana Legislature & Abortion
• Reduction in Force
• Follow Me
• One More Thing

MONTANA LEGISLATURE & ABORTION:

I think the headline from the Helena Independent Record kind of said it all: 

Despite Montanans’ vote to protect abortion, some bills still try to create restrictions

Political junkies may remember that in November 2024, Montana voters approved the Constitutional Initiative that would “amend the Montana Constitution to provide for the right to make and carry out decisions about one’s pregnancy, including the right to abortion.” The vote for the initiative was 57.8% to 42.2%. (Source) That’s a 15.6% difference. 

I supported the Initiative. While I hope and pray for fewer abortions around the world, I believe it is a personal decision that should be made between the woman and her doctor. 

Now the Helena IR reports that several bills are being considered to restrict abortions and some are pretty crazy. There’s one that argues “when women flush pregnancy tissue down the toilet, they contaminate wastewater with residual levels of the abortion drugs that cause harm to plants, livestock, and even humans.” A bill “would have forced people who undergo an abortion to collect their expelled fetuses in a “catch kit” and return it to the clinic in a “fluorescent orange or orange-red” medical waste bag labeled “BIOHAZARD” to be disposed of by the provider.” 

The Montana Legislature has once again turned into a circus with plenty of clowns running around to entertain us. 

REDUCTION IN FORCE:

Back in the early 1990s, I was part of a reduction in force in the military. I decided, as the Steve Miller Band sings, “Take the money and run.” It worked out for me very well.  

Now the Associated Press (AP) is reporting that the U.S. government is facing a generational realignment as President Donald Trump directs federal agencies to develop plans for eliminating employee positions and consolidating programs. 

Since I am a retired federal employee, I can think of several programs that should be eliminated. 

It will be interesting to see if the Trump Administration decides to close any military bases. The last Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) was in 2005. I don’t think we need as many overseas bases as we have, and we could certainly close some stateside bases. 

Knowing how Trump and company operate, he would probably select bases in countries that are not as friendly as they should be. As for stateside bases, he would probably select bases that are in states controlled by Democrats. 

FOLLOW ME:

I am not a social media influencer (yet), but I do have several accounts that you should follow or like. I like to keep my followers up to date by posting information throughout the day. 

These are crazy times, so you should follow me on social media to sort out the noise and give you the straight scoop! 

First, you should subscribe to The Western Word blog. To subscribe, go to the home page, and you’ll find the subscribe box in the upper right corner. 

I post throughout the day on X (Twitter). My X account is @TheWesternWord. 

The Western Word is on Facebook. Click HERE to see the page and like/follow it. 

ONE MORE THING: 

Stop being a Liberal or Conservative. Be honest, have morals, show empathy, value integrity. Be a GOOD HUMAN. 

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