big sky high school students uncensored…

February 24, 2009 in Montana

by problembear

there is no feeling which quite compares to picking up a musical instrument, pencil and paper, paintbrush, camera, hunk of clay or block of wood and creating a story of art which is uniquely yours. creative art students in this country are free to express themselves in song, words, images and objects of art. it is a precious freedom to celebrate.

this thursday february 26th at 6:45pm there will be a gathering of young poets, artists, writers and photographers from Big Sky High School who will sponsor a reading at the Missoula Museum Of Art. the public is invited and the event is free. each year the students of Big Sky High School produce a very unique literary work entitled Aerie International which showcases talent in all the arts and letters from high school students accross the world.

these are talented and creative individuals who just want to tell their story. they invite you to listen to their stories and poems and see their work.

news stories about their work here and here.

the S.O. says be there or be square….editor’s post script: although there is no charge, voluntary donations will be gladly accepted to continue this wonderful work. there will be a donation box and as always the staff and students who work so hard on this project wish to thank all the wonderful supporters of Aerie International.

Sen. Shockley on SB 497: It Protects the Protesters from People Entering the Clinics

February 24, 2009 in 2009 Legislative Session, Healthcare, Montana

by jhwygirl

Yeah. The things you hear on the radio.

Basically, what this bill does is it makes sure the protester isn’t harassed by the persons entering the clinic

After the 2nd newsbreak today, I had to pull over and write it down, so shocked I was at what he was saying, and wanting to make sure I got it exactly verbatim.

Who knew? People seeking health care are apparently harassing protesters. I never knew it was such a problem!

We blogged about SB497 with this week’s Part I….and the comments kicked this up, from thegreatlettera:

(This bill) not only guts the current 45-8-110, but it turns the protesters into a 16 foot diameter spherical “bubble” thing. Linking the bubbles would create an invisible fence with human posts where there’s a little zap for passing through as well, except it’s $100 instead of electrical. I think you’re right that this would be unconstitutional, it’s scary he thinks his ruse will work. It’s scarier that people would actually turn out to be “posts.”

Healthcare isn’t hard enough to get in this state – especially in rural areas – Sen. Shockley wants you to get arrested while seeking it.

Obviously I’m missing something here – because this one passed the Senate Judiciary committee yesterday, 12 – 0.

Still MORE Bad Environmental Legislation

February 24, 2009 in 2009 Legislative Session, Environment, Montana

by jhwygirl

Two of these can’t wait, people….

Button Valley Bugle grabs up 3 more bad environmental bills: Rep. Llew Jones’ bill to “limit the scope of environmental review under the Montana Environmental Protection Act for certain energy development projects on state lands”, also known as HB529. 529 passed a 2nd reading, 78 to 22 today, after a lengthy, impassioned debate. A third reading is tomorrow. Do not go to sleep tonight without contacting your legislators and letting them know that stripping MEPA unnecessarily is a violation of your guaranteed right to a clean and healthful environment.

Jones also has HB483 – which, too, passed a 2nd reading (on a 71-28 vote) and heads to a 3rd reading tomorrow – will make appeals under MEPA, for energy development projects, more difficult. We mentioned this one the other day

More? There’s also Sen. Keith Bales’ bill that, like HB483, would make appeals under MEPA more difficult. SB387 passed 3rd reading in the Senate last week (27-23) and now is sitting with the House Federal Relations, Energy, and Telecommunications committee.

The BV Editor has more: Jones, still, with HB566, which would limit the remedy that could be required of a state agency found to violate MEPA. This bill is stalled with a 50-50 vote in the house, today. Given the environment up there in the legislature – as exhibited by the three bills above – it wouldn’t hurt to contact your legislator and tell them to make sure to keep that bill dead. Very dead.

In previous posts – yes, Virginia, there really is more – The Editor disses on SB425, which is bad, bad, bad for native fish and Montana fishing enthusiasts. Not only that – it’s bad, bad, bad for taxpayers, too.

You can also check out Will Fish for Work on SB425, or this previous post from Button Valley.

Need info on contacting your legislators? Start here, then head here.