Welcome! Here are the topics for today’s independent commentary:

• Biden & Prostate Cancer
• Jasmine For Mayor
• Calumet Oil Refinery
• One More Thing

BIDEN & PROSTATE CANCER: 

The Associated Press (AP) reported that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Reports say it is a “more aggressive form of the disease.” 

I wish President Biden the best.

President Donald Trump took time out from bashing Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and the U.S. Supreme Court to wish Biden well:

Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery. (Source)

Even Great Falls City Commissioner Rick Tryon posted a report from CNN about Biden’s cancer on his Facebook page and said, “Prayers for Joe Biden and his family.”

But Tryon’s friends were not as kind as him with one writing, “Sooo coincidental that this is all surfacing at the same time that his mental capacity is being revealed!!!”

Another comment on Tryon’s page was just pure hatred: “Good. Take your dementia pills along with your chemo and fade into oblivion. History will remember you as the piece of shit you are.”

With followers like that…

JASMINE FOR MAYOR:

Jasmine Taylor is running for Mayor of Great Falls, and she has launched a campaign website that you can view HERE. 

According to the City of Great Falls website, a Municipal Election is being held in 2025 for the selection of one Mayor for a two-year term; two City Commissioners for four-year terms; forty-five Neighborhood Council representatives, consisting of five representatives in each of the nine districts, for two-year terms; and, one Municipal Court Judge for Department B for a four-year term.

The Municipal General election will be held on November 4, 2025. 

If, like me, you are tired of having taxes and fees raised, then it is time to elect new people to lead the city. 

CALUMET OIL REFINERY:

The Montana Free Press (MTFP) reported on a story last week about the Calumet oil refinery near Great Falls. 

The headline from MTFP states, “A ‘sustainable’ shift at the Great Falls refinery could come with costs to locals,” and they further report that “backed by the U.S. government and anticipated by ag producers, the Montana Renewables biofuels plant is a cutting-edge facility in Great Falls. But while the company touts the environmental benefits of its fuels, pollution at the production site could actually rise.” 

Check out the story HERE.

ONE MORE THING:

The mighty E Street Band is here tonight to call upon the righteous power of art, of music, of rock ‘n’ roll in dangerous times.

In my home, the America I love, the America I’ve written about, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration.

Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experiment to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism and let freedom ring! 

-Bruce Springsteen (May 14, 2025) (Source) 

## HAVE A GREAT WEEK ##