I happened to be trolling the net this morning and saw that the Billings Gazette was streaming a meeting between Congressman Denny Rehberg and the members of the Montana State Fireman’s Association. The Fireman’s Association was holding their 121st Annual Convention in Billings.

So I watched it. You can watch it here, too. Later in the day, the Gazette followed up the video with a story. You can read it here.

I had commented before about this being politics as normal in Montana after Rehberg Ranch LLC filed a civil complaint against the City of Billings and Billings Fire Department about the handling of a 2008 fire on his property – basically asking for information about why management removed firefighters when the blaze was contained at 10 acres. Later, the fire flared up and consumed about 1200 acres.

I would think most people would want to know why. I know I would. It was also important for Rehberg to talk face to face with those being used as political footballs and explain to them his reasons for the civil complaint, and he did.

Most of us remember that the firefighters were used this same way in the 2006 Montana Senate race and look what it got them.

The Gazette reported that Rehberg told the firefighters: Continue reading →