Archive for March, 2006
In the latest Missoula Independent, George Ochenski sums up all the speculation swirling around Burns' seat — who would file, who wouldn't — all the dirt brought to you here at 4&20 blackbirds and our other vitural bretrhen. First, the Burns resignation rumors, and Racicot rumors: Speculation ran rampant that, despite his incumbency and the [...]
Bush wants the WTO to have even more power over the United States. What happened to conservative rhetoric about not having a “world government”? The saga of Anna and Kris: first shuffled off to Baltimore, and now a divorce. Ed Kemmick weighs in on “V is for Vendetta,” the comic, er graphic novel the movie [...]
Just out on the wire is the bill that Max Baucus and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced to fund the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act. The funding provided by Baucus in this bill would replace the revenue that the Bush administration wanted to raise by selling off public land. According the release, [...]
Here's the text of a letter I just sent off to the Missoulian: There has been much fuss made over the loss of KKNS and Missoula’s Air America affiliate in the letters of the Missoulian, most of them written by gleeful conservatives claiming the free market and listener disinterest scuttled the station. On March 30 Steve [...]
Do you believe that the US is facing a crisis because of oil dependency? If so, what's the crisis and how can we reduce our oil dependency? Crisis, no. Difficult choices, yes. Here they are. First, we are vulnerable to oil disruptions. Second, our energy demands generate national security entanglements. And third, we face [...]
Abramoff sentenced: five years, ten months. Anybody want to start the over/under on Burns? From the archives: The Stranger claims that liberalism should be an >urban movement. How do you explain Montana’s shift to the Democrats? I’m with John Cole on immigration: seems like amnesty is the obvious, practical solution. Red State’s “Crank” reminds us that [...]
Okay, we all know about how Conrad Burns pandered to a Michigan Chippewa tribe and Abramoff client, getting them a $3-million federal grant in exchange for $75,000 in campaign contributions. Old news. But what newspapers and politicians haven’t challenged is Burns’ statement that he has been a long supporter of Native American tribes. As usual [...]
I admit it: my Montana blood boiled a little when I read Eli Sanders’ post on Slog about the recent shooting in Seattle. In the post, Sanders tells of his contacts with Whitefish police about an incident involving shooter Kyle Huff six years ago in which Huff shot a fiberglass moose with a shotgun. The [...]
Okay, this is yesterday’s news, but another British memo reinforces the fact that the Bush administration had planned to go to war all along. Recovering liberal: “There is no room in America for Hate.” 4&20 blackbirds: “Not familiar with U.S. history, eh?” Budge found an interesting article criticizing the Bush administration’s attempts at sweeping societal [...]
Here' the first part of the conversation with Bozeman free-market environmentalist, Pete Geddes. Check out the intro if you haven't yet. In your literature at the website of your organization, Foundation for Research on Economics & the Environment, you write that globalization actually helps eradicate poverty and promotes environmentalism. Can you explain how that is? [...]
Yesterday, Time Magazine published a chilling story about an alleged massacre of Iraqi civilians in Haditha by US forces in November of 2005. According to Time: …the details of what happened that morning in Haditha are more disturbing, disputed and horrific than the military initially reported. According to eyewitnesses and local officials interviewed over the [...]
Ugh. I don't know why ignorant rants like Hamilton's Olinghouse's bother me. The letter he wrote to the Missoulian is obvious tripe on every level: "Liberals see the glass half empty "At one time I thought liberals heard with the same kinds of ears that I have and saw with the same kinds of eyes [...]
Over the past few days, I've begun an interview with local free-market environmentalist, Pete Geddes. I've read some of his material and was fascinated by his unique take on a lot of issues, like the environment, oil, and market forces. Unfortunately the "interview" morphed into a "conversation," as I butted in with my opinion, challenged [...]
The Brittney sculpture/monument to “pro-life” was so popular with 4&20 readers yesterday, I’m posting it again! In fact, the link got me some new visitors, like the person searching Google for “nude teen.” Ed Kemmick’s hilarious take on President Bush’s “aw shucks” act yesterday when talking to Montana voters. The commenters over in Seattle’s The [...]
Part Two! Yesterday I pleased a couple of baseball supporters, but heard nothing — NOTHING — from the teams I 'dissed, like the Braves. Oh, wait! That's because the Braves don't have any fans. Anyhoo…on with the predictions: AL West: The winner: The Oakland A's have got arms, arms, arms. Rich Harden, Danny Haren, and [...]
It’s almost time for baseball season! I admit, baseball is my favorite sport to follow, mainly because I like napping with a game on the radio. I’m a fourth-generation Red Sox fan, so I’m half-crazy, too. Here are my predictions: NL West The winner: The San Diego Padres will take the division. Mike Cameron makes [...]
So now there’s a fight within Republican party brewing, and it looks ugly. The latest incarnation is over immigration. In LA, there’s been a surprisingly high turnout of protestors angry over the recently-passed House bill criminalizing illegal immigration. Other protests have dotted the nation. Currently the Senate is considering the legislation. Bush and some moderates [...]
Ballot 152 is a proposed initiative that would change the rules of eminent domain so that a property owner could receive compensation if the value of the property diminishes because of a government regulation. Does this argument sound familiar? It should! It's the same argument Canyon Resources Corp. used to say it deserved compensation for [...]
You see what I mean about anti-abortionists? Here’s a “Monument to Pro-Life” on display in Brooklyn, New York. It’s a sculpture of a nude Britney Spears giving birth. Attention, women readers: this is how anti-abortionists want you. Does anyone still doubt that Republicans are the party of money? While Bush’s approval rating is in the [...]
I’ve been thinking a little bit lately about some of the talking points being bandied about in Montana’s Senate race, the hottest race in the state and possibly the nation this year. So now and then I’ll examine what’s being said under a 4&20 microscope… All observations are free; you may steal any ideas found [...]
Chairman of the Montana Democratic Party, Dennis McDonald, announced his resignation Thursday. Why? Because he left four seats unfilled in the upcoming state legislation slate for the 2006 race. He had promised to fill them all. "When you say you are going to do something, you get it done. I committed myself to filling them [...]
It's rare these days when I agree with a Missoulian editorial — seems like they're letting their high school intern pen them lately — but I, er…that is…I…how do I say this? Agree? With the editorial on Starbucks? It's an encouraging reflection of how well things are going in Missoula these days that little else [...]
I seem to reseverve my "creep" awards to Montana homophobes…why is that? Why can't I just let them walk away? Why is the issue obviously so important to me? It's not like I'm affected in any way by discrimination against gays: I'm a middle-aged straight white guy, I'm sitting on top of the power pyramid. [...]
Coach K will eat your child. Are all the Bush brothers a pack of corrupt incompetents? (Be sure to check out the video of Pierce Bush, the president’s nephew, who manages to make his uncle look like a genius.) South Park kills off “Chef.” Take that, Scientology! It’s official: airport security sucks. So why do [...]
The Missoula Independent is featuring its cover story on the Burns-Abramoff scandal. There's little new in the article, but it's a nice summary of the maze of allegations and in-state hubbub generated by Conrad's close association with "Casino" Jack. If you feel like re-immersing yourself in the dreck that is Conrad Burns, check it out. [...]
I do think Schweizter's success here in Montana can be used as a blueprint for winning back the Rocky Mountain states to the Democrats, but I'm not crazy about the governor's recent comments about how to do that: "In fifth grade, we didn't choose the smartest kid or the most handsome kid. We chose the [...]
Scientists’ test results finally likely to get old white male politicians interested in global warming. Gerik found a cool color-coded map representing Bush’s approval rating over the last year. Watch the country go from pink (favorable rating) to blue (unfavorable rating)! Warning: gazing at the map may be addictive. Runner-up “hero”: the Billings Gazette for [...]
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