Woohoo – we made it to the end of January (the month I most dislike). Congratulations!
In case you are new around these parts, “Caught My Eye” is posted right here every Friday morning! This is when I take a quick look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week. I often throw in a touch of sarcasm just to make you smile – or to irritate you just a little.
Today I write about Malmstrom AFB, Jon Tester & the census, most conservative states, Max Baucus & the ridiculist, happy meals, most/least trusted name in news, Atlanta, my Super Bowl Prediction, plus we have a winner who is Making Montana Proud!
Epic Historic Failure:
The investigation into missile crew personnel cheating at Malmstrom AFB has skyrocketed to 92 officers. That’s about half of the officers who perform missile crew duties at the base. This is pretty historic, as well as tragic.
As I said before:
The Air Force needs to completely clean house in the 341st Operations Group at Malmstrom and its three missile squadrons (10th, 12th, and 490th) and bring in new leaders – I’m talking about the O-4 (Majors) up to and including the O-6 (Colonels) who have apparently failed to properly lead those they command and supervise.
The pending promotion for the wing commander should also be terminated.
Tester: Count Veterans
U.S. Senator Jon Tester made some news this week saying he wanted the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct an official count of veterans in the 2020 Census.
Come on senator, that’s pretty easy to do – Congress reviews and approves the questions asked by the Census Bureau – so if it’s that important tell them to ask the question on the 2020 census.
But it might be easier for Tester to ask the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a count every few years. Every veteran gets a DD Form 214 (discharge certificate) and a copy is filed with a VA regional office. Currently the Department of Veterans Affairs says Montana has an “estimated veteran population of 106,080.”
See how easy that was…
Most Conservative States:
According to new information from Gallup polling, Montana is the fifth most conservative state behind Wyoming, Mississippi, Idaho, and Utah.
Although Montana’s state legislature leans to the right, most state-wide office holders are Democrats.
Making Montana Proud:
This section is where I mention people or groups whose actions embarrass Montana in some way.
From The Missoulian: This week’s winner was pretty easy to pick – it is Ravalli County Montana! According to the Missoulian over the past few weeks:
- The Ravalli County commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to immediately place controversial treasurer Valerie Stamey on administrative leave with pay pending further investigation.
– Ravalli County employees working to reconcile the books in the treasurer’s office told commissioners they found more than $800,000 in checks that hadn’t been deposited.
-The Montana Department of Revenue says it will charge Ravalli County more than $37,000 in interest if it doesn’t send in delinquent property tax filings soon.
-The Corvallis School District has filed a formal complaint with the county commission after the treasurer’s office failed to deliver monthly reports.
-An attorney for a temporary employee of the treasurer’s office threatened the county with a whistleblower lawsuit.
-The Federal Bureau of Investigation is considering investigating the mess.
– The challenges at the Ravalli County treasurer’s continue to mount after a third employee tendered her resignation late last week.
– Ravalli County treasurer months behind in payments to local governments
By the way, the county commissioners appointed the new treasurer (Ms. Stamey) back in September…
The Ridiculist:
U.S. Senator Max Baucus made Anderson Cooper’s Ridiculist:
Most AND Least Trusted:
A new poll from Public Policy Polling found, “Fox News once again most and least trusted name in news.”
I seldom watch Fox News these days. My day starts early with “Morning Joe” on MSNBC and then I listen/watch “The Daily Rundown” with Chuck Todd – also on MSNBC.
I would urge my friends on the right to back away from Fox News and see what the other cable news outlets have to say. Surf a little and get a better perspective on what is happening in our country.
Your arguments might grow stronger, too…
Order a Toy:
At a McDonalds drive-thru in Pittsburgh police found that you can get heroin with your happy meal if you say, “I’d like to order a toy.”
I wonder what happens if after you say “I’d like to order a toy” you say “and Supersize it!”
I Feel for You Atlanta:
For those of you who do not follow the news, the area around Atlanta, Georgia, was hit by an ice storm and then a couple inches of snow fell. Thousands were stranded on the roads and in schools. It looks like officials dropped the ball big time trying to save a few dollars.
Up here in Montana we know all about officials trying to save a few dollars by not plowing and sanding streets…
The Super Bowl Prediction:
Since I am Kansas City Chiefs fan I cannot cheer for the Denver Broncos – ever. I like and respect Peyton Manning, but my hatred for the Broncos runs much deeper. By the way, John Elway is still a jerk.
So I will be cheering for the Seahawks. Defense wins championships and the Seahawks will prove that on Sunday.
One More Thing:
Don’t forget to stretch…
## End ##
