Tuesday’s Quick Hits

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Hello! Here are the topics for today’s common-sense commentary:

  • School Elections (TODAY)
  • REAL ID
  • One More Thing 

SCHOOL ELECTIONS (TODAY):

Here in Great Falls, we have a school board election today (Tuesday). Other places are having school elections also. 

These local elections are very important. I turned in my ballot on Monday. If you have an election in your area, please vote!

The Electric has an article about the Great Falls School Election HERE.

The Cascade County Elections Office website can be found HERE. 

REAL ID:

On May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. (Source)

Remember back in 2007 when the Montana Legislature voted unanimously against implementing the REAL ID Act because they had privacy concerns and did not like the Feds telling Montanans what to do. 

In 2008, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer opposed the REAL ID requirement (Source). U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Jon Tester (D-MT), and U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke came out against it, introducing a bill in 2016. (Source) 

Since 2005, I have poked fun at Montana’s elected officials for being against the REAL ID Act. Both Republicans and Democrats have bitched and moaned about complying with the federal law. I said one way or another, the states that were against it would comply, whether they liked it or not. 

I also said these clowns needed to understand that “Freedom is not free.”

Times have changed. 

Now, the State of Montana is issuing REAL ID cards. Here is what I found on their website:

The REAL ID deadline has been extended until May 7, 2025.

You are not required to get a Montana REAL ID compliant license or ID; however, a Montana REAL ID compliant license or ID or another acceptable form of identification is required to fly domestically and access federal facilities by May 7, 2025. Alternative options, such as a passport or passport card, are acceptable forms of identification.

I wonder what will happen if a person is called for federal jury duty and does not have a REAL ID-compliant license or ID?

I let my passport expire and don’t have a REAL ID. Am I worried? Nope. I may get one later, but I am just going to stick it to the man for a while.  

ONE MORE THING:

I saw this post on Pinterest, and I think it raises a good point. Thoughts?

There is a “due process” to enter our country. If you’re gonna skip that on the way in, you don’t get to hide behind it later. 

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6 thoughts on “Tuesday’s Quick Hits”

  1. A further thought on the Pinterest post regarding due process…….
    If you’re going to follow a leader who lies, cheats, and steals, you don’t get to complain when he lies, cheats, and steals to YOU.

  2. Real ID should be a standard feature of the Montana driver’s license instead of a $25 add on. Driver’s licenses in other states have been real ID compliant for years. What’s so hard for Montana? Put that huge bulging surplus to work and give everyone free Real ID.

    • Exactly! The Montana leaders back when it first started complained about the cost. I guess they decided to stick that cost on the residents. Thanks, JmB

  3. The Pinterest post, while clever, misconstrues the point. The constitutional right of due process applies to everyone – even the MAGA gang when their uppance comes.

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