There was a lot of news this week. Some of it was pretty sad.

U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy:
Senator Kennedy passed away this week. My prayers and condolences go out to his family and the people he represented in Massachusetts.

Being one that has lived through most of the tragedies that happened to this family, my thoughts always turn to sadness when I think of the Kennedy family. This family has given more than most in public service, but I admire them in that they always came together during these tough times. It’s tough being in the limelight, but to have to share your grief in the public spotlight is something that most of us will never know. I respect the family for handling it so well – multiple times.

I did not agree with many of Senator Kennedy’s stands on the issues, but he represented the people from Massachusetts and they kept sending him back.

The Boat Wreck:
Details are still coming in about the boating accident on Thursday night involving Congressman Denny Rehberg, his two staffers, and State Senator Greg Barkus and his family. My prayers and thoughts are with each one of these people. It is my hope that political gamesmanship can take a back seat for a few days and that bloggers and the media will concentrate on the health and recovery of those injured, instead of scoring political points.

Border Security:
At the urging of Montana’s U.S. Senators, Jon Tester and Max Baucus, Janet Napolitano, the director of Homeland Security gave a cool $15 million to a port in Montana “that sees about three travelers a day” according to the Associated Press.

That was wrong no matter what Tester and Baucus contend. It was not free of politics. Other, more urgent, needs were placed down the list for political purposes.

The new democrat-controlled Congress is spending our tax money at a rate never before seen in this country.

Town Hall Meetings:
Some elected people across the country are constituent-oriented enough to hold town hall meetings.

So far, Congressman Denny Rehberg is leading the way in Montana with around 18 meetings. He had more scheduled before his accident. That may be a record for a House or Senate member this August recess (Hello CNN/MSNBC/Fox News – are you watching).

But, on the other hand our two Senators have been afraid to actually hold meetings where people (their constituents) can voice their concerns and hear their elected officials ideas. Instead, our senators quietly go to meetings with selected and invited groups or hold phone meetings. They will try to spin this, but Montanans will not fall for it. For the “powerful” Senator Max Baucus to dodge his constituents while he is supposedly the lead in the senate for the healthcare bill is unforgivable.

That’s it for this week. Catch you on Twitter!