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

• Operation Epic Fury
• No Kings Rallies
• MT National Guard & Elk Antlers
• Helena City Commission
• Kathleen S. Lane
• One More Thing

OPERATION EPIC FURY:

With each passing day, the likelihood of a U.S. ground intervention in Iran seems to be increasing. I am firmly opposed to such a move.

There are over 50,000 troops in the region, which reports say are about 10,000 more than normal. (Source)

The world has become more dangerous since the war started with Iraq. 

I am old enough to remember when President Trump promised no new wars. 

NO KINGS RALLIES:

It seems like Saturday was a successful day for the No Kings rallies here in Montana and all across the fruited plains. One report said that, nationwide, “No Kings” organizers are touting Saturday as the “largest single-day nonviolent protest in modern American history.” They say at least 8 million people gathered at more than 3,300 events across all 50 states and almost every continent. (Source)

The big hurdle will be to keep this momentum going until the general election in November, where maybe we can put a stop to the MAGA craziness. 

MT NATIONAL GUARD & ELK ANTLERS: 

In an interesting twist and one not widely reported, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported last month that court documents show charges were dropped against the two other Montana National Guard members after pilot Deni Lynn Draper pleaded no contest to helicopter trespassing tied to an antler pickup in Sweet Grass County in May 2025.

The cases against Michael Vincent Bray, 30, a Helena business owner, and Perry Wray Woodland, 30, a Montana Highway Patrolman from Great Falls, who were reportedly in the aircraft with Draper, closed Jan. 8. A motion to dismiss was filed in Sweet Grass County Justice Court the previous day, on grounds the evidence against Bray and Woodland is insufficient, per court documents.

Interesting. 

The Chronicle also reported that although exact details from a closed-book military probe of the three Montana Army National Guard airmen landing a helicopter on private property and picking up elk antlers in May remain unclear, the Montana Army National Guard acknowledged last week that antler airlifts aren’t unprecedented. Lt. Col. Thomas Figarelle, Montana National Guard chief public affairs officer, said an internal military investigation is complete and appropriate proportional action is being taken. Inquiry findings, the pilots’ previously suspended flight status, administrative action, and punitive or non-punitive letters of reprimand remain obscured.

Figarelle said a lack of transparency is due to the Privacy Act of 1974, a federal law governing how agencies collect, maintain, use and disseminate identifiable records. 

I think that when government property (in this case, a military helicopter) is misused, the public interest in knowing the consequences should outweigh the individuals’ privacy. A journalist could file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the investigation findings and any letters of reprimand. The Guard would have to specifically justify each withholding. Some courts have found that the Privacy Act does not justify withholding information about official misconduct. I think Figarelle’s response is a stretch and that the Guard hopes they are not challenged. 

The “good ol’ boy” network is alive and well in the Montana National Guard. 

NonStop Local News also published the story HERE.  

HELENA CITY COMMISSION:

In case you missed it, the Helena City Commission blinked in response to threats of a lawsuit from Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen if they did not rescind a resolution that restricts local police working with ICE. 

The Montana Free Press (MTFP) reports that after more than five hours of public comment and deliberation — during which nearly a hundred people testified fiercely and emotionally about local government control, budget risks, authoritarianism and democracy — Helena’s commission members scrapped the January resolution in a 4-1 vote.

I thought they should keep the resolution and stick it to the man. The commission members did direct city attorneys to begin redrafting the resolution and invite the attorney general’s office to discuss the revised language. 

I’m sure the AG will be happy to help…

KATHLEEN S. LANE:

In case you missed it, Kathleen (Katie) S. Lane had her nomination hearing in front of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to be a United States District Judge for the District of Montana. 

From reports I read, like this one from the Montana Free Press (MTFP), Republicans zeroed in on Lane’s work ethic and principles, while Democrats raised concerns about her experience.

She does not have a lot of experience, but that is the norm for Trump appointees. The U.S. Senate is controlled by the Republicans. Unless something very negative is discovered, Lane will probably be confirmed. 

You can watch the whole hearing HERE. There are also supporting documents you can read on the page. 

ONE MORE THING: 

War does not determine who is right – only who is left. – Bertrand Russell

## HAVE A GREAT WEEK ##