Welcome to The Wednesday Read, where I bring you a daily dose of reason and common-sense commentary. Here are today’s topics: 

• Helena City Commission
• Roberto Orozco-Ramirez
• Statements about Minnesota
• Full of Sh*t
• Second Amendment Politics
• One More Thing

HELENA CITY COMMISSION:

Several sources, including MTN News, reported that the Helena City Commission voted 4-1 on Monday to adopt a Resolution clarifying policies for when and how the Helena Police Department will cooperate with federal immigration officials. 

MTN News says the resolution:

…mostly restated policies HPD has already been following, including provisions saying the city won’t disclose a person’s sensitive information like immigration status unless required by law, that HPD won’t stop or investigate someone solely because of suspected immigration violations, and that the city won’t enter into a “287(g) agreement” with the federal government to perform immigration enforcement functions. The resolution also says HPD officers have discretion to ask U.S. Department of Homeland Security officers to identify themselves and “unmask,” if they believe that’s not interfering with law enforcement operations.

I am not sure the Resolution will do much good. It seems it is mostly to “stick it to the man.” I guess if that makes the citizens of Helena feel better, so be it. 

The Resolution did anger one of Montana’s MAGAs. Montana State Representative Lukas Schubert posted the following on X:

Stay tuned for next session, I will support legislation to force our Montana cities/counties to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement to prevent MT from ever being a safe haven for illegal aliens.

It would be just as much a waste to pass legislation as the Resolution itself. 

ROBERTO OROZCO-RAMIREZ:

MTN News reported that the U.S. Border Patrol arrested Roberto Orozco-Ramirez, 42 years old, of Froid, Montana, on Sunday night. It was reported that Orozco-Ramirez and his family had lived in Froid for a decade, and he operated a business there. 

Many in the community were upset about the arrest. 

MTN News is also reporting:

According to a sworn affidavit from a border patrol agent, Orozco was previously removed from the United States in 2009 and is accused of illegally re-entering the country. The documents also allege he was previously identified as a member of the Sureños gang during an encounter in Utah, though they acknowledge he has no criminal history in Montana or elsewhere. Agents allege that he became suspicious, refused entry, and made threats as they were leaving, including throwing a piece of lumber at the “direction of the agent’s vehicle.” Orozco now faces federal charges of illegal re-entry and threatening a federal officer.

While it is a sad deal for his family and community, the bottom line is, if the affidavit is true, Orozco-Ramirez was in the United States illegally. He was removed in 2009 and came back in illegally. He broke the law. 

Due to these past poor decisions, he may not be granted entry into the USA for a very long time. 

STATEMENTS ABOUT MINNESOTA:

Great Falls Rising is a non-partisan, progressive movement that empowers individuals and connects communities while fostering equality, diversity, human rights, civil liberties and a sustainable future through respectful dialogue, education and advocacy. They issued the following statement about what is happening in Minnesota:

Great Falls Rising stands with Minneapolis and all of Minnesota, who are under siege by the current administration and ICE.

We demand that ICE and the federal troops withdraw from Minnesota and allow local and state law enforcement to restore calm for their citizens.

We are at a pivotal moment in history to take a stand for justice and the rule of law.  We must demand that the rights set forth in the United States Constitution be upheld.

We The People must stand together to promote the fair treatment of all humanity. Now is the time to take action to help our neighbors.

FULL OF SH*T:

The Montana Democrats got my attention when they sent an email with the subject:

A pile of 💩. 

In the body of the email, they listed their frustrations:

Hey Jackie — ever wonder what happened to Republicans claiming they are the party of “fiscal responsibility”?

They would go on and on about bringing prices down for working families to be able to afford healthcare and essential items.

Now? Their 2025 signature budget bill reduced taxes for billionaires — and cut healthcare for working families to pay for it!

Montana Republicans like Ryan Zinke, Steve Daines, and Troy Downing all voted to make life more difficult for everyday Montanans all to help themselves and their billionaire buddies. They’re full of sh*t.

They also asked for donations

I am not an expert, but I think you can spell S-H-I-T in emails. 

SECOND AMENDMENT POLITICS:

The Republican grasp on the “Right to Bear Arms” took a hit over the weekend when several gun rights organizations became aware of some anti-gun language used by Trump and his underlings.  Politico is reporting:

FBI Director Kash Patel said Sunday on Fox News that “You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It’s that simple. You don’t have a right to break the law.” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said Saturday that she didn’t “know of any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun and ammunition rather than a sign.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that “any gun owner knows” that carrying a gun raises “the assumption of risk and the risk of force being used against you,” during interactions with law enforcement.

Forbes is reporting:

President Donald Trump appeared to break with Second Amendment advocates who have backed Alex Pretti’s legal carry of a gun during protests in Minnesota on Saturday, telling reportersTuesday, “You can’t walk in with guns, you can’t do that,” when asked about a Border Patrol agent’s fatal shooting of Pretti.

California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom — who became a gun owner last year — respondedon X to Noem’s remarks: “The Trump administration does not believe in the 2nd Amendment. Good to know.”

The midterms are going to be fun to watch! 

ONE MORE THING:

This is not a left-or-right moment. It’s a right or wrong moment. 

## THE END ##