Live Green, Go in the Red

I wanted to highlight an interesting study from the North Dakota Policy Council for reasons that may be more apparent to some readers than others.

The study singles out the "The Cost of Grand Forks Going Green." I believe similar comparison could be made, to a certain extent, between Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Missoula. The population of both places is relatively similar (with Grand Forks edging out Missoula slightly) and both Grand Forks and Missoula are home to one of two of their respective states largest universities. Both cities are also struggling with the issue of land use planning and excessive regulation that is driving up the cost of affordable housing and making upward housing mobility more difficult, especially for the younger set. In addition, current homeowners in both Grand Forks and Missoula suffer under the burden of additional "smart growth" mandates and taxes in order to live the "good life" in their respective cities.

Private land owners need to be aware of what the Green Grand Forks committee
is producing because it is deciding how landowners can use their own land. Thankfully, North Dakota citizens were able to restrict eminent domain in 2006, but the state has no such restrictions on regulatory takings. A regulatory taking happens when a government creates a policy that severely limits the land owners’ use of the land or reduces the value of the said land. The committee will most certainly not attempt to take land evoking eminent domain; rather, it will seek regulations and restrictions on land that it views is in the committee’s jurisdiction to force land owners to use their land how the committee wishes...

“Smart growth” policies do not take into account citizen demand, nor do “smart growth” proponents care. For instance, step three in the Climate Protection Agreement states that cities are supposed to “promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip reduction programs, [and create] incentives for car pooling and public transit.” In other words, tax dollars should be diverted from government’s legitimate functions like maintaining roads and providing safety to an ad campaign aimed at turning public opinion favorable to a massive expansion of government. Why should a city spend money promoting and investing in transportation systems that are not wanted? Local citizens are supposed to control local budgets, not radical environmentalists...

Land use planning, the promoting of public transportation, greenways, and
bicycle paths are all aimed at controlling what people do, where they do it, and how they do it. Individual choice and responsibility is forever lost...

No one from the private sector is on the committee. The committee needs representation from private land owners, small businessmen, and traditional energy sectors. Until that happens this committee should be rendered irrelevant...

The report concludes as you may have guessed it would coming from a free-market individualist point of view:

Protecting the environment should be a priority to those who have to means to make it a priority. In other words, if you can afford it, then by all means do it. But, do not enact policies that mandate a rise in the cost of living. Regulations increasing the costs of building and growing a business hurts the poor and middle classes. Policies that increase the building costs for critical city infrastructure lead to higher property taxes, which is especially bad in a city like Grand Forks with property taxes spiraling out of control. City leaders should be looking at ways to reduce the cost of government, not increase it by unnecessary and intrusive regulations. Enacting intrusive policies that manipulate human behavior is un-American and runs contrary to the example set by the Founding Fathers.

I couldn't agree more...and truly forward thinking Montanans should look no further than the example set by our neighbors at the North Dakota Policy Council for guidance in addressing issues of consequence throughout our state.

Mike

NRO: Gettin' Testy with Tester

From NRO's Kathryn Jean Lopez:

This is one of your reps in Washington who wants to tell General Petraeus how to run the war:

[Jon Tester] stressed that he is not an expert after spending just a day in Iraq and doubted if he would be an authority in a month there since he doesn't speak Arabic and is not a soldier...

...Tester said he's not sure what the right timetable is for a withdrawal.

Tester's visit to Iraq comes on the heels of Rep. Murtha's assessment that the surge is working. But what could possibly be playing a part in Murth'a decision making process? Moe Lane from Red State might just be onto something almost pathological amongst the nutrooters.

Oh, right, we're coming up on an even-numbered year. Read on.

I'm sure that you'll pardon the cynicism of the above - but, really, what other conclusion is there to make? Okinawa Jack Murtha may be by many standards an abject fool, but he's been sucking at the public teat for over thirty years: you can't survive that long without knowing how to sniff the breeze. And right now that breeze is telling him that it's an excellent time to get some daylight between him and the more doctrinaire elements of the antiwar movement.

Right on schedule, might I add. And will probably work, more's the pity. Then again, the man's made quite a career out of treachery; I suppose that it's unreasonable to hope that he wouldn't be any good at it.

Anyway, I understand that Murtha did quite well for himself out of contributions in 2006. How proud his online supporters must feel right now, to know that their money bought nothing in particular. Well, probably not proud, but there's no justification for them to feel surprised. And no, he won't give you your money back. In his eyes, you never really possessed it in the first place; you were only holding on to it for him until he needed it...

What? That's what commodities are for, netrooters. Be grateful that they see you as sheep to be sheared, not corn to be plucked.

Indeed.

Mike

This Weeks Torah Portion: Vayeishev

Wishing you and yours a Shabbat Shalom and a very happy Chanukah!

Your friends at Chabad – Lubavitch,

Rabbi Chaim & Chavie

******
Join us Shabbos morning at 10:30 AM to study the weekly Torah portion!
******
This week's Torah portions: Vayeishev (Genesis 37:1–40:23)

******
For candle lighting time in your area:
http://fridaylight.org/page/sunset-almanac.php

******
Spiritual exterminators?
By Rabbi Chaim

It's going to be a White Chanukah in Bozeman! As I type this Torah email I look out my window, catching a perfect glimpse of the gorgeous Bridger Mountains; and it is absolutely breathtaking! We will celebrate Chanukah and bless Hashem to " that made miracles for our forefathers in those days, at these times". I hope you all have a wonderful Chanukah and enjoy the Latkes, donuts and Dreidel games!

In this week's Torah portion, we read the story of Joseph's brothers selling him off to strangers, eventually making his way to Egypt. Before they sold him it says " They took him and cast him into a pit…the pit was empty, there was no water in it". So the commentaries are baffled, if it says "the pit was empty" isn't obvious that "there is no water in it"? The Torah doesn't repeat things for the sake of poetry or common folk talk?

Rashi – the 12th century Torah commentator – explains that the Torah is emphasizing that there was no water in the pit, but there were snakes and scorpions in it. I think the message of this Rashi, resonates with each and every one of us, especially as we approach the Festival of Lights.

In our life we are constantly struggling between the spiritual and materiel, the good and bad. The good and evil inclinations within us are trying to rule and decide our path in life. The Torah is telling us that if you don't fill yourself with water, with spiritual nourishment, the automatic consequence is that you will be stuffed with negativity and no good. You can be a genuine human being; you can be Jewish, Catholic or New Age, if you do not permeate your life with values and morals, with spirituality and G-dliness, there is a very slim chance of you staying out of trouble!

This idea is actually the message of Chanukah. As Jews gather this Tuesday from Bozeman to Moscow, Berlin to Bogota, and light up their homes with the shining Menorah or Chanukiya, listen closely to the message of those flickering candles, they are telling you " Teyere Yid, my dear Jew, don't listen to the naysayers that are trying to convince you that the world is dark and gloomy, that we must be realists and face the music of darkness, ignore then because they are dead wrong, you have the power to make sure the pit is filled with water, you can be a spiritual exterminator and eradicate all the snakes and scorpions and bring the much needed light to society.

Don't get suckered into believing the future is bleak, I promise you, good and morality shall rise again!

Happy Chanukah !

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Moshiach speedily. May He protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be. Shabbat Shalom! Chazak!!! L'Chaim!!!!
*****

The ETorah is an educational project of
Chabad Lubavitch of Montana

Wanzenried: Out Before He's In

From the Missoulian:

State Sen. Dave Wanzenried, D-Missoula, announced Monday he will not run against Congressman Denny Rehberg for Montana’s U.S. House seat.

In a statement released late Monday morning, Wanzenried sited state issues that he felt still need addressing.

“I look forward to the many challenges facing the Legislature in 2009 in order to keep Montana moving forward,” he said in the press release.

Wanzenried, former chief of staff under Gov. Ted Schwinden, served in the state House of Representatives from 1991 to 2006. He is now serving in the state Senate.

Other names thrown around as possible Democratic candidates to run against Rehberg include former state senator Steve Doherty of Great Falls and Rep. Kendall Van Dyk of Billings.

And then there were three...

Mike

WIC Wises Up

Small surprise the Missoula Independent carried the hysterical headline, "WIC thwarts natural women."

Organic groceries will be cut from the shopping lists of Montana mothers who rely on food packages from the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program starting Dec. 1.

It seems that finally someone with some authority has wised up to the fact that organic food costs too much in relation to conventionally produced foodstuffs, and as it pertains specifically to the WIC program, the costs are borne by all taxpayers so that mothers can make expensive and unnecessary choices.

The kicker comes from Missoula County Nutrition Services Supervisor Mary Pittaway, who said, “We’re not making a statement about one being better than the other—we’re just saying we can’t afford it.” Organic products cost between two and four times as much as standard products, she says, and while “we believe we know organic food choices are better, they’re not four times better.”

Yes Ms. Pittaway, we do absolutely know without any shadow of doubt or suspicion that organic food is categorically no better or worse for human consumption than food produced by conventional means. One would assume a Registered Dietician would know that, so why pretend otherwise?

Here's my advice to the "thwarted natural women" in Missoula and elsewhere, especially those dependent on public assistance for food for themselves and their children...try to shop cheaply. Similar products are very often priced similarly. An expensive shopping trip is the result of irresponsibly choosing products with a high markup, rather than wandering into a store with "bad value," because price targeting accounts for much more of the difference between prices than perhaps any difference in value between one store and the next. Perhaps Ms. Pittaway should be teaching her clientele the principles of home economics and helping them make the right choices, not the "feel-good" choices, with the limited aid available to them.

Mike

Filled With Hot Air?

It seems the latest gimmick promoted by the Paultards, or is that Rontards (I'm always a bit confused by the lot of them) is to paste Ron Paul's name to the side of a blimp and fly it around the country for a few weeks, no doubt avoiding at all costs the Lakewood Naval Air Station in New Jersey for obvious reasons.

As of 8:30 this evening over 505 people have pledged over $63,525 towards the effort. Will they pledge more to include the same contraption found on the Goodyear blimp that advertises products or displays other messsages? If so, I suggest the following:

Ron Paul Supported PLO Terrorists

Ron Paul: Israel Bought & Paid for Jesse Helms

Ron Paul: "Clinton didn't cut defense enough!"

Ron Paul: the US is "mowing civilians down in the streets."

Ron Paul Accused US Troops of War Crimes During Desert Storm.

Quite frankly I'm tired of reading that the Paul campaign is not a "fluke" of some kind and needs to be taken more seriously. The fact remains that Ron Paul is the candidate of choice for a number of racist, 9/11 truther, neo-Nazi, and black helicopter conspiracy theory groups. I understand that Ron Paul should not be held accountable for the beliefs or actions of those who support him, but don't you think at a minimum he needs to return the donations he's received from prominent members of these kinds of reprehensible organizations and renounce their support of him publicly?

The progressive left both in Montana and elsewhere is no doubt salivating at the chance to paint all Republicans and conservatives with the broad brush of hate and intolerance that has filled the Ron Paul campaign to it's rafters. It's high time we don't let them succeed.

Mike

Look. Right!

I trust everyone out there had a wonderful Thanksgiving. While success in business and other personal endeavors is always important, it's the time spent in the presence of family and friends around a table full of food that really provides a snapshop of the good life. In that regard I am truly blessed, and believe me that not a moment passes when I am not thankful to Hashem for providing me with a bounty of love, friendship and kindness that has surrounded me during the past 44 years. With any luck, I'll be around next year to do it all over again.

Dave Budge gets this week's edition of Look. Right! off to a start by "Channeling Sumner's Law." A fascinating discussion follows whereby Dave and Gman attempt to talk some sense into something that passes as a carbon based life form, at least as far as Bozeman standards go. Good stuff! Dave then continues to highlight what passes for police work and moves on to the "outrageous fortune" former Boulder (CO) District Judge and Mayor Richard McLean was able to appropriate from those wanting to build their dream house. Dave then closes up the week with an ode to Thanksgiving.

Gregg Smith at the Electric City Weblog begins the week by picking a scab and then begins deconstructing the schematic and reductive thinking of Montana Human Rights Network "research director" Travis McAdam concerning the Rep. Jore and the Constitution Party. It seems the work of what passes for MHRN and other "progressive" outfits in the state could be simply summed up as follows, "believe what we tell you to believe or you're an insignificant nutter." Gregg then moves on to follow-up on his post about the MHRN comparing and contrasting their position on one issue getting a lot of press lately...immigration. You know I've taken a lot of heat in the past for being an early supporter of Tom Tancredo and can attest to the progressive technique of " innuendo, guilt by association, ad hominem attacks, and simple marginalization" for doing so. An odd thing happened on the the way to my sponsorship of an immigrant bashing bonfire though, roughly 70% of Americans, among them a majority of mainstream Montanans, believe in the position that Tancredo has taken from day one. Now tell me, who really represents the fringe? Gregg then highlights a piece appearing in The American Thinker that seeks to denude the myths and revisionist history of the international Communist movement.

Carol at Missoulapolis provides an anniversary tribute to her orthopod, Missoula physician Dr. Michael Schutte, who I can join Carol in saying does fine work. Carol then provides us with a glimpse of Hawaii's foray into the universal health arena, and though I don't want to spoil the Poi for you...it hasn't worked out so good. Just don't tell Missoula's progressives, who would have us all doing forced labor on organic farms and getting our healthcare at St. Vladimir's on Broadway if they had their way. We then learn that Missoulapolis really does heart the arts, but the proposed performing arts center continues to give her angina. Carol then points out that it's the end of the road for truckers express, which must make the folks at Watkins-Shepard very happy, especially one of them in particular, but more on that later.

Montana Headlines starts the week off with his Sunday Roundup and continues by highlighting Senator Tester's Turkey Day "shenanigans." Let's just hope that when Senator Tester is in Baghdad this week he doesn't jump in front of our servicemen and women in the chow line. MH then follows-up on Electric City's coverage of MHRN hitman Travis McAdam's piece against the Constitution Party. We then get a treat when MH provides a retrospective look on the 20th anniversary of Allan Bloom's, The Closing of the American Mind, gives us something to be thankful for, and provides some much needed perspective on the governor's fundraising letter. 'Headlines closes up the week by reporting that Steve Daines will be heading up "Right Wing Progressive" Mike Huckabee's campaign in Montana.

Montana Main Street starts off the week with a little humor and perhaps continues the theme later by highlighting the Democratic challengers to Congressman Rehberg.

Unsurprisingly our friend and yours, Craig at Montana Politics starts off the week bleeding garnet and gray. Craig then moves on to giving his award winning podcast, Small Town Long Streets a touch of class by spinning some Engelbert Humperdinck for our listening pleasure. Craig then weighs in on the biofuel debate, gives word of our annual "F" rating from MADD, and provides his score from The Booze Test, which in hindsight explains a lot :-) We then get a peek at a British woman who got an abortion and followed that up with voluntary sterilization in order to reduce her carbon footprint. Now that's dedication! Of course I say why bother? With European and British birthrates in decline just let nature take it's course, though the delicious possibility remains that American progressives will pick up where Vernelli left off.

Steve at Rabid Sanity begins by providing some free legal advice and moves onto a challenge presented to former Presidential candidate John Kerry by T. Boone Pickens. I'm not sure what the "T" stands for except perhaps tenacious. Steve also provides word that the Viceroy's Fugestate has moved and Part 3657 of why NY Times columnist and economist Paul Krugman is an idiot.

Andy Hammond of The Hammond Report reveals word of the real quagmire, and other anomalies, in Iraq. He then moves on with a ubiquitous Thanksgiving post, reports on the British woman who had an abortion/sterilization to save the planet (if only Cindy Sheehan's parents had thought of that!) and discusses an interesting piece found on Cafe Hayek on sustainability vs. globalization and how it applies to the so-called progressive movement.

The Montana Misanthrope is otherwise engaged in what I assume to be packing and moving hell. He details the operational pause here. Doug then details the imperiousness of the minimum wage under achievers who make up the TSA and provides a not-so-cheesy Thanksgiving wish.

This week at The Western Word finds Jack providing us with an update on the weekend in sports and oddly channeling Elvis by congratulating the marketing folks at Pfizer. Jack also reports on Senator Tester's resume-filling trip to Iraq.

Mike

Quando Quando Quando

For Craig:

I'll save you the horror of posting the Humperdinck video, but I was able to grab the following picture...in gratitude for you finally playing something I could bounce to :-)

Corn Palace, Mitchell, SD
8.30.01

Mike

How do you spell ingrate?

From The Daily Mail:

Illegal immigrant demands to be flown home because Britons are ‘rude and unfriendly’

An illegal immigrant has demanded to be flown home after saying he was fed up with British people — because they are “rude and unfriendly”.

Speaking today, Mokhtar Tabet, 30 — who has been given a home, food and free travel around London — claims his local council has breached his human rights by moving him to a place he does not like.

He was refused asylum in 2004 and is set to be deported.

"I thought I had made friends in Croydon, but when I ask them for money they don't give me it, so I know they can't be my friends."

He now receives £32 a week in vouchers from Croydon Council to buy food with while he awaits deportation.

Unsatisfied at this, he griped: "Croydon Council only gives me food vouchers, they won't give me cash. I want the money.

"I have nothing to buy new clothes with, I have to go to a refugee centre. But if there's not anything nice there, you leave with nothing.

"I want the council to give me a bigger flat and money instead of vouchers."

He said: “The council evicted me from my home in September and moved me to Streatham, which I don’t like.

“The new place is small, and the kitchen closes at 9pm, so I can’t have anything to eat late at night. They have taken away my human rights.”

I say give him an inflatable kayak, a map of the English Channel, and a bottle of Gatorade and send him on his way. No doubt he'll be clamoring that his human rights have been been breached if he only gets a coach class ticket on Air Algérie back to Algiers.

Mike

And this is where we want to be?

Daniel Mitchell posting on Cato @ Liberty today:

New Data Show Lagging Living Standards for Welfare States

The Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development is hardly a hotbed of free-market thought. So it is particularly remarkable that the OECD has just released new figures on per capita gross domestic product and per capita consumption.

The latter data, for AIC (”actual individual consumption”), are especially interesting since they allow comparisons of living standards across nations. For the 30 member nations of the OECD, the United States is second, with per capita consumption that is 152 percent of the OECD average, trailing only the small tax haven of Luxembourg.

Europe’s major welfare states, by contrast, do not fare so well. France is at 106, Sweden at 104, and Germany at 103, meaning that their living standards are only about 70 percent of U.S. levels.

The report also has data for both 2002 and 2005. During that period, Iceland enjoyed the biggest increase in living standards, climbing from 113 percent of the OECD average to 128 percent of the average. Not coincidentally, Iceland has been lowering tax rates and reducing the burden of government.

Though not explicitly mentioned in Mitchell's post today, he did pen a similar report that I bookmarked back in June and never quite had the chance to highlight or post about at the time. In Baltic Beacon, Mitchell focuses on Estonia as being the "Baltic Tiger," growing faster than every other post–Soviet economy. There's a reason for that, and it has nothing to do with promoting national healthcare, "green" energy, or the Death Tax.

Mike

This Weeks Torah Portion: Vayishlach

Wishing you and yours a Shabbat Shalom and a very happy Thanksgiving!

Your friends at Chabad – Lubavitch,

Rabbi Chaim & Chavie

******
Join us Shabbos morning at 10:30 AM to study the weekly Torah portion!
******

This week's e-Torah published in honor of the Shabbos birthday of

Robin Bequet-Sharber

May G-d bless her & Joe with good health and much Jewish joy from Hannah and Rachel, for many years to come.

******
This week's Torah portions: Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43)

******
For candle lighting time in your area:
http://fridaylight.org/page/sunset-almanac.php

******
G-d and Turkey?
By Rabbi Chaim

While doing my weekly grocery shopping today, it was overly obvious that it was Thanksgiving. The newest store in town was out of butternut squash, string beans, craisins, and olive oil. It's really not right; all these newcomers to the cooking industry that only come around once or twice a year took home all my items. In truth however, I think this is a wonderful holiday, a time when families come together and thank G-d for giving us the opportunity to live in the greatest country on earth – the USA.

I was fascinated by reading George Washington's Thanksgiving proclamation of 1789, if I would not know the author I would think it was written by a great Jewish sage. Listen to his words " Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty G-d, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor -- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty G-d especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. "

As I was pondering on these most powerful words, as usual, my mind leads me to this week's Torah portion. When our forefather Jacob was finally done with Laban, he now has to face his wicked brother Esau. He turns to G-d and says "O G-d of my father Abraham and G-d of my father Isaac! G-d, Who said to me, return to the land of your forefathers, to your birth place, and I will be with you…my merits have become small due to all the acts of kindness …" as Rashi explains Jacob's words "My merits have diminished because of the kindnesses and the truth that You have rendered me. Therefore, I fear that perhaps, since You made those promises to me, I have became soiled by sin, and it will cause me to be delivered into Esau's hand".

We are not talking about your average Joe; this is the founding father of the Jewish people we are talking about! Yet, Jacob was truly humble, an important attribute; which we should all emulate. Chassidus explains that when G-d shows his kindness to any person, it brings that person closer to Him, causing their feeling of self-importance to diminish. Therefore, it was precisely due to the fact that G-d had been so kind to Jacob, that he became small in his own eyes, for the kindness brought him closer to G-d, and so he felt that he was not worthy of G-d's promise to be saved.

I think Jacob would be very happy with a day like Thanksgiving! A day to humble ourselves and recognize the abundance of blessings and kindness G-d does for us on a daily basis. The more you think about it, the more you will realize how much you must thank Him.

Enjoy the turkey, pumpkin pie and have very happy Thanksgiving!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Moshiach speedily. May He protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be. Shabbat Shalom! Chazak!!! L'Chaim!!!!
*****

The ETorah is an educational project of
Chabad Lubavitch of Montana

Montana's Absentee Sentator

It seems that when Montana Senator Max Baucus casts his vote for us in Washington he's doing so more as a resident of DC than Montana.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, who is running for his sixth term next year, didn't own a home in Montana for 11 years of his 29-year Senate career.

Until 1991, Baucus owned a house in Missoula, where he practiced law for three years before running for Congress in 1974. He didn't own a home again in Montana until February 2002, when be bought half of his mother's house from the Sieben Ranch Co., the family ranch started by Baucus' great-grandfather in 1897.

Don't the people of Montana deserve to have a senator who actually inhabits something other than a room in his mother's house a few days every year represent them in Washington?

Mike

Kennedy Out!

The Democrats best hope of defeating Denny Rehberg just dropped out of the race:

Citing personal health reasons, Democrat Bill Kennedy told The Billings Gazette Friday he would not be a candidate for the U.S. House in 2008.

“I have to slow things down a bit,” he said. The recent health concern forced him to reconsider his challenge to Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., in next year’s congressional election, Kennedy said. Montana has one member in the U.S. House.

“I’d rather not,” Kennedy responded when asked to expand on his health concerns, but he emphasized he would continue to serve as Yellowstone County commissioner.

In a short prepared statement, Kennedy said, “I must put my family and service to the people of Yellowstone County, first, and it is clear that I cannot run a full-time campaign and devote the time and energy my family and constituents deserve.”

There must be a REAL reason behind the sudden announcement. Anybody? Can it only be related to anemic fundraising (I suppose that could be construed as a "health concern") and Denny's overwhelming lead in the polls? Let the handwringing commence!

Mike

Look. Right!

Welcome to yet another edition of Look. Right! It's been a fun-filled week here at TLBP. Montana's progressives snicker about Republicans in particular, and conservatives in general, imagining Islamofascists under every bed while they unleash feverish claims of seeing a racist or hater in every post concerning Muslims, those in favor of border control, pro-life ballot initiatives, or against those who see progress in Iraq. It's as if in addition to murdering tens of thousands of people in Iraq, had Hussein (Saddam, not Obama) maintained a "whites only" lunch counter in one of his many palaces America would now be celebrating National NeoCon Appreciation Day!

It's not a coincidence that a primacy facet of progressive hate speech is to make paranoid allegations based on their own maladjusted impulses, such as calling anyone who doesn't agree with their world view an angry hate-filled mean racist or bigot. There is in all probability just the tiniest element of projection and compulsion in this, almost as if Montana's progressives have not only ran out of arguments, but adjectives as well.

Let us begin, shall we?

The Conservative Cowgirls are back, and Ridin' for the Brand this week like kids fleeing an R. Kelly concert. The Cowgirls are wise in highlighting the brilliance of Mark Steyn, make a plea for a revolution on personal responsibility, and link to perfectly timed editorial in Investor's Business Daily on how the US should give OPEC a reason to pump more.

My friend Dave Budge is having hosting problems with his eponymous blog this evening, so as Martha Stewart might say, it's a "good thing" I found his posts in my RSS reader, though it still remains unclear if the posts can be saved. Dave started off the week posting about the priorities of police officers versus drunk drivers, including a great line about the "designated decoy." Dave then celebrates the 232nd birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps, and persons of purpose on Veterans Day. We then get a peek at the collective stammering of O'Neills Edmund Tyronne. Dave closes out the week with two posts, which essentially scream louder than a protester at the University of Florida... "Don't tase me bro!" on the power of the police state.

Gregg Smith at Electric City Weblog seems to have taken a lesson in prolific blogging from Dave Budge. Either that, or I'm the lazy on the block! Gregg started off the week talking about issues regarding censorship and anonymous commenting and then wrote an open letter to Great Falls Mayor Dona Stebbins. Gregg then provides us with evidence of how charitable the City of Great Falls really is, and with not the least bit of irony I'm sure, then posts on the subject of open records and public access to said records. ECW then highlights a GF Tribune article on the confidentiality agreement of the GF Airport Authority and asks "What am I missing?" regarding last weeks election results. Gregg then provides a useful opportunity to find out who you would support in the race for President. As if all of the other issues Gregg has pointed out in reference to the City of Great Falls trying to keep information from the public is not enough, we're then treated to another example of how GF ignores the Minyan, oops, I mean quorum requirement for open meetings on important matters. Ho, Ho, Ho? No, No No, at least in Australia. Makes one wonder if Al Sharpton has sent threatening letters Down Under. Gregg then closes up the week by highlighting a post from Missoula's friendly hometown conserva-blog, Missoulapolis on the failed performing arts center in Missoula.

Carol Minjares of Missoulapolis fame writes on how anti-Iraq war movies lay an egg and then posts a photo of how an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran (her son) and husband climb a mountain, or in this case an extinct volcano, Diamond Head, in Honolulu. Carol's then "Lost at Sea" for a bit, but is not Cast Away long enough to discuss the virtually failed performing arts center in Missoula. Carol then hangs up her lei for the week, with her unsurpassed and continuing coverage of the real estate market in Missoula.

Our friend Montana Headlines starts off his week of posts with a Sunday roundup and moves on to discuss some important endorsements for Presidential candidates Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson. 'Headlines then goes on to highlight a non-public public event sponsored on behalf of Montana Senator Jon Tester, in Beverly Hills of all places? It's amazing how far one can travel from Big Sandy in less than a year! MH then points out how the Billings Gazette apparently considers Republican gubernatorial candidate Roy Brown "local" news and addresses the first round of "weak" attacks against him.

Montana Main Street highlights Montana's "superlegislature" with a sidebar to Justice Cotter of the Montana Supreme Court, who's batting 18:21 for personal injury lawyers. Talk about a return on investment you can take to the bank!

The sun is always shining, or rather rising on Helena's best blogger, Craig over at Montana Politics. In addition to the great photo (watch out Sarpy Sam!) Craig provides us with an update on the score between Capitalism and the "War on Drugs,™" and produces yet another episode of his award winning podcast, Small Town, Long Streets. Next week, Craig promises to include hits from Michael Bolton, Glass Tiger, Duran Duran, and Ace of Base... right after I start observing the latest Adhan coming from the closest minaret of course ;-)

Rabid Sanity's Steve Eschenbacher doesn't exactly provide shocking news that Montana's version of Leni Riefenstahl continues on his campaign to convince us that we're losing the war in Iraq, which for him is somewhat a notch above Dianetics in the scientific rigor department. Steve then provides a "good read" on the last surviving American veteran of WW1 and on Surrender Monkey Harry "Pinky" Reid's inability to support our troops.

Andy Hammond at The Hammond Report conveys his sincere gratitude for America's veterans and provides a fun tool for judging the reading level of your blog, and others.

Doug, The Montana Misanthrope dumbs down this week's edition of Writing Rightly, for obvious reasons, and provides a glimpse of his life, as it is.

Jack at The Western Word provides this weeks ultimate homage to Veteran's everywhere! We're then treated to the usual weekend sports roundup, sans Hockey and Curling of course, and asks why more Veterans can't be found to represent their comrades on the Veterans Affairs Committee's in Congress. Rather than infantile claims that President Bush hates America because he vetoes legislation he doesn't agree with, Jack writes about the circus sideshow that has become the 110th Congress, spending like a "Teenager with a credit card," or as I'd posit, a progressive with someone else's money! Jack then highlights how "Things are looking up" in Iraq. On Casual Dress Friday, Jack provides a look at last night's Democratic Presidential debate, the now infamous MSU-B poll that was released yesterday, and his take on Barry Bonds.

Mike

Ron Paul: Some Kind of Crazy

From Andrew Walden, writing at The American Thinker:

If Paul wants to be taken seriously, he must stop cowering behind the internet and face these questions. Until then it is only reasonable to presume that Paul is happy to wallow in well-financed obscurity accepting the support of some of the worst enemies of freedom and liberty within American society.

Ouch...and well said!

Mike

This Week's Torah Portion: Vayeitzei

Wishing you and yours a Shabbat Shalom!

Your friends at Chabad – Lubavitch,

Rabbi Chaim & Chavie

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Join us Shabbos morning at 10:30 AM to study the weekly Torah portion!


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This week's Torah portions: Vayeitzei (Genesis 28:10-32:3)

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For candle lighting time in your area:
http://fridaylight.org/page/sunset-almanac.php

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Why not Cyprus?
By Rabbi Chaim

Yes, I know I didn't send out a Torah email last week, and I apologize. I was in New York attending the International Conference of Chabad Rabbi's. It was an awesome and inspiring event and helped me reconnect to my roots and the vision of the Rebbe that no Jew should be left behind. My buddy Quincy and I had the privilege of addressing a group of three hundred lay leaders from around the world, educating and sharing with them a report on the growth of Montanan Jewry, and if I may say, I think they were quite impressed….

As I traveled home from New York, I was trying to connect the dots. I heard so many good speakers, both practical and inspirational; I spent so much quality time with fellow Lubavitcher's that I just needed to think, allowing the countless words of wisdom to settle in. As usual my thoughts led me to this week's Torah portion. Last week Jacob - portraying himself as Esau - received the greatest blessings from Isaac. Esau was obviously very upset and his record for violence was known; Jacob had to skip town, or suffer a major consequence. So the Parsha begins "Ya'akov left Be'er Sheva and went towards Charan", he left Israel to head to turkey. The commentaries tell us that Charan was no spiritual hot spot. It surely wasn't by coincidence that Laven, Jacob's sly and corrupt cousin called this place home.

So why did Jacob choose Charan? Couldn't he find another spot to run too? I mean Cyprus isn't too far? The Torah teaches us that indeed, Jacob wanted to go to Charan, specifically because it was an unholy place, because he wanted to transform it into a haven for G-dliness. He chose Charan as a home for twenty two years; he got married, raised a family, and really brought a sense of morality and spirituality to a place that knew nothing of the sort prior to his arrival. Sure, Jacob could have chosen to run away to Jerusalem, or some other holy enclave, but he wanted to make a difference.

Reading this, my mind traveled back a couple of days to the ballroom in Pier 94 in Manhattan. In one room there were close to three thousands Rabbi's, we were all there to reenergize ourselves in continuing our mission to reach out to every Jewish soul on planet earth and beyond. Yes, many Jewish organizations work with the Jewish communities in Los Angeles and New York, sure they all have centers in Toronto and Johannesburg, and occasionally they even send representatives to smaller communities, but how many have vibrant centers in Vietnam, Almaty and Flint, Michigan? How many Rabbi's did they send to China, Tashkent or Jackson Hole?

Like Jacob, it doesn't matter why they chose to move out to a town or city in who knows where. What matters is what they are accomplishing, making sure that every last Jew feels at home with his glorious heritage.

I am proud to be part of the Rebbe's Army!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Moshiach speedily. May He protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be. Shabbat Shalom! Chazak!!! L'Chaim!!!!
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The ETorah is an educational project of
Chabad Lubavitch of Montana

MT Progressive Gibberish-O-Meter

Anyone care to translate the following pearl of widsom from Montana's progressives?

The truth about rising property taxes is this: property tax increases are often levied by local government polities in order to make up the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy that have depleted their school budgets. That's also why you've seen so many increases in college tuition.

Before you refer me to this, been there, done that, and all I got was something approaching the level of a run of the mill post from Shane Mason.

Mike

The Vagina Dialogues

It should perhaps come as no particular surprise that elements of the left in Montana have twisted themselves in knots concerning the proposed ballot initiative being offered by Rep. Jore.

For the record I'll say I'm terribly conflicted regarding the issue, as no doubt many are. On a personal level I'm opposed to abortion virtually across the board and have been known, from time to time, to donate to various pro-life causes. On a societal level I see the matter as simply boiling down to the privacy inherent between a woman and her physician, and have no problem imagining the slippery slope that would happen if such rights were abrogated. In my opinion, the greater issue of the protection of abortion rights should never have been vested in the opinion of Roe v. Wade but should be left to individual states to decide for themselves.

The fact is that no one ever wins in any debate concerning abortion and I simply can't imagine the pain and agony that must come with the decision to terminate a life inside one's body.

Having said that, I note with not the least bit of irony the manner in which the usual suspects at LiTW have attempted to spin the particular issue of Representative Jore's proposed ballot initiative to suit their own narrow interests. Perhaps the greatest hyperbole offered in their argument is the following statement:

Jore et al are going to foist an ill-considered, radical piece of legislation to the public, banking on emotion and short-sightedness to satisfy his particular issue: abortion. And how's he going to do it? By changing the state constitution to bestow "personhood" on, well, two-celled zygotes...and beyond!

Contrast that with a statement by Forward Montana frontman (frontperson if you will) Matt Singer regarding the minimum wage and ethics ballot initiatives back in 2006:

...both will be helpful turnout/messaging tools this fall.

Or this concerning ballot initiatives previously offered by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger:

Nominally, even Schwarzenegger’s ballot issues were about reform, even if that reform all happened to structurally favor a single party.

Now, I don't wish to project ulterior motives to a person I've never met, but could Rep. Jore's proposed ballot initiative perhaps serve as a "helpful turnout/messaging tool" to conservative voters in the same vein as various ballot initiatives proffered by so-called progressive organizations in Montana?

A valid argument could be made that the anti-Iraq war/pro-defeat (withdrawl) resolutions offered and passed by voters in Missoula and Helena this year served simply as nothing more than a turnout vehicle for GOTV efforts for progressive council candidates in their respective cities. Certainly the handwringers in Missoula and Helena didn't expect these non-binding resolutions to have any real or meaningful effect, did they? If the generally accepted answer to that question is a resounding "no," as it surely must be for anyone even vaguely familiar with the Constitution, then why could they possibly have been on the ballot in the first place? In fact, I would go so far as to claim that Montana's progressives really don't give a damn about Iraq, the minimum wage, ethics reform, or other pressing matters as much as they do about winning elections, making names and outside funding for themselves in the process. In recent history, various initiatives supported by Forward Montana, with the help of decidedly non-Montana funding sources, have served almost exclusively as down-ballot turnout vehicles for this cause.

Is perhaps the "outrage" being offered in this case less about the issue of abortion and more about the fact a conservative has finally figured out how the initiative game is played to benefit their side? If Jore's initiative is really as "ill-conceived" and "radical" as these progressive Torquemada's would have you believe, then they shouldn't be afraid to let the voters weigh in on an issue which matters a lot to faith and values voters across Montana.

Progressives hardly let pass an issue to criticize the cutting down of even one tree in Montana in the same manner they lambaste a pro-life ballot initiative. Even assuming that one of them rates an unborn child ("zygote" in their perverted nomenclature) somewhat less than a full-term baby, doesn't an unborn baby deserve to rate on a somewhat higher scale than a sapling? If Jore's ballot initiative receives the necessary number of signatures to proceed to a vote in November '08, presumably with Hillary Clinton on the ballot, buckle-up, It's going to be a sweet ride.

Mike

11.11

What makes people offer their lives for another or for their country? One could argue that anyone would give his life to protect their wife, their children, or their family. But to offer one's life for strangers, for an idea, for a belief in one's country, that takes conviction. We're all indebted to those whom, for the last 231 years, have provided the ultimate sacrifice. My country, right or wrong. My country, more right than wrong! If only more people understood.

"Beneath This Stone Rests a Soldier of Washington's Army Who Died To Give You Liberty"

Everett Charles Harris
Born: 11/18/1894 Big Hole Valley, MT
Died: 11/16/1918 Argonne, France

Mike

Look. Right!

I intend to keep this week's edition of Look. Right! as abbreviated as possible, which if you know me is easier said than done. It's been a long week on the holiday home front. I've spent a good part of the week trying to get my right hand man, Mohson, who was in Pakistan on business for me, out of the country. Since he is only a Resident Alien, State wasn't able to help, and the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs while helpful, still left something to be desired. Luckily I called in some favors owed to me by former colleagues at the United Nations, and Mohson should be leaving Islamabad on a UN flight on Sunday or Monday. Until then, he's safely in the hands of the Siddiqui family in Peshawar and telling me "it's no big deal." This morning I woke up at 043o so I could take Rachel and my mother to the airport in Miami (which I think still remains at least a titular part of the United States) to catch a flight to Jo'burg, South Africa for a few days. The next few days I'm bacheloring it, so I hope Rachel doesn't find out about the little secret rendezvous I had this evening with a certain big-eared polka-doted lady.


As usual we start off with my friend and yours, Dave Budge. This week, Dave takes on the mantle of fiscal responsibility and channels the ghost of P.T. Barnum. Dave's also been known to spend the time it takes to pull the wings off of flies and cook up one hell of a pot of soup, with a little help from The Spoon's Rebecca Schmitz.

Electric City Weblog's Gregg Smith ponders the results of the election in Great Falls, and a disheartening remark by GF Mayor Stebbins, who for some strange reason didn't seem to reach-out to bloggers this year like she did the last time around. Gregg then provides a great compendium of GF-area bloggers and their post-election roundup, agrees with Osama bin-Barack (what's up with that?), reports on claims that the gas power plant planned north of GF will be the cleanest fossil-fuel generator in Montana AND on vindication regarding open government on the GF Airport Advisory Board.

Carol Minjares at Missoulapolis agrees with Scoop and the rest of us that Roy Brown is the real-deal. Carol also finds out what happens when the locals won't answer a simple question and send in the screechy Kossacks to play defense, provides a handy reply template for conservatives, and reports on the net-one gain in the Missoula City Council race, the best council Forward Montana can buy. Aloha, Carol!

Montana Headlines reports that Representative Jones of Big Fork will not be running again, handicaps the Gazette's coverage of the election in Billings, and how the endorsement game is "getting crazier." Speaking of getting "crazier," Headlines then goes on to discuss Ron Paul's candidacy and how the party in general is wrongly taking a dismissive and disdainful approach to his candidacy, and all of the supposed young voters, workers, and money the Paulists are bringing to the table. I say that unless and until Ron Paul seeks to either distance himself, or more correctly outright denies his alliance with the 9/11 "Truther" movement and the donations and endorsements from neo-Nazi groups, Ron Paul deserves neither a place at the table or a spot on the debate floor! Period.

Speaking of handicapping, Montana Main Street provides an initial handicap of the '08 elections in Montana, reports on the good-news that $100 a barrel brings to Eastern Montana, and on rumors of special session #3 in Helena.

Craig at Montana Politics found the time for 90 minutes worth of the award-winning Small Town, Long Streets podcast, and a "generic" post this week...all while remaining delightfully placentra-free.

Steve Eschenbacher over at Rabid Sanity reports that "you can't make this stuff up," unless you're Paul Krugman, and highlights why he likes Fred Thompson. Better not invest in those yard signs too soon Steve ;-(

I wish I could say that Scoop Montana was back and blogging like a meth addict but Mr. Googles no doubt required extra attention this week, so we'll have to settle for some preliminary results from the Missoula City Council elections.

Andy at The Hammond Report was off and running this week! Andy starts off by asking if the surge is working and why liberals are afraid of calling themselves liberals. We're then left with the heartbreaking story that University of Montana students may have to pay more for birth control pills. Nothing like teaching 'em the lessons of personal responsibility the hard way!

The Hardliner points out how the mail-in ballot experiment in Montana shows some flaws.

The Montana Misanthrope bestows this week's Writing Rightly" award to Steve at Rabid Sanity. Doug then opens up to chapter 3 of the Forward Montana saga and highlights his concern over conservation easements. Les Mis' is then the first to report on the Looney invasion of our northern frontier and highlights why I should be taking extended vacations to the US Virgin Islands more often.

This week at The Western Word found Jack writing a short story and doing his best at imitating Hervé Villechaize. Jack also found the time to weigh in regarding those facockda anti-war resolutions in Missoula and Helena, and on Jon Tester's promise to appoint an ethics auditor of his first year in the Senate. Jack then ponders the 1.5 Senators who represent us in D.C. and then says we're "Darn Lucky" to have Denny Rehberg working for us. I couldn't agree more!

Mike

How Rangel/Baucus Impacts Montana

The Heritage Foundation just released a chart listing how the Rangel/Baucus "Mother of All Tax Bills" will affect every congressional district throughout the country.

In Montana, if Rangel/Baucus becomes law, the average loss in income per household is $1804. Montana's loss in GDP by 2012 would amount to $261 Million, and a total of 3083 jobs would be lost. Montana has a combination of 12,303 Married Over 200K and Single Over 100K Tax filers, or roughly 7-10% of us. If Senator Baucus does not get to work in the Senate to help patch a hole in legislation concerning the Alternative Minimum Tax, or AMT, 84,926 hardworking Montanans will see their taxes increase. That's a lot of votes that not even Forward Montana could buy!

Mike

How 'Bout That Che

Che Guevara was an international terrorist and mass murderer. During his vicious campaigns to impose communism on countries throughout Latin America, Che Guevara trained and motivated the Castro's regime firing squads that executed thousands of men, women, and children.

All individuals used in this photo montage were murdered by Che and the Cuban regime, revealing the truth of Che's cruel, murderous hypocrisy and acknowledging his countless victims, both known and unknown.

What you're really seeing when you see a useful idiot in Missoula or Bozeman proudly wearing their Che T-shirt is a leftist who'd happily kill you "come the revolution."

Kippah-Tip: FPM

Mike

Baucus/Tester Tack Left

In what I can only surmise is an effort from the Baucus campaign to tack to the hard left, and the Tester campaign to continue to dance with the one who brung him, both of our esteemed senators have now gone on record proving that they're to to the left of even Bill Clinton.

Today, both Senator's Baucus and Tester released a joint statement regarding their intention to vote against the confirmation of Michael Mukasey as the chief law enforcement officer and Attorney General of the United States. Specifically they point to Mukasey's refusal to repudiate waterboarding as torture as having the potential to expose out troops serving overseas to potential danger.

What both Baucus and Tester fail to realize is that no longer can we treat terrorists who wish to harm our soldiers merely as criminals to be arrested by the police, read their Miranda rights, and brought to trial when they are clearly regarded as the irregular troops of a military alliance at war with the US and the civilized world as a whole.

As Robert Kagan of the Carnegie Endowment proposed, "The United States remains mired in history, exercising power in the anarchic Hobbesian world where international laws and rules are unreliable and where true security and the defense and promotion of a liberal order still depends on the possession of military might." Baucus and Tester fail to understand the fact that the threat global Islamism poses to us comes from a religious force that was born in the seventh century, that was schooled politically at the feet of the totalitarian ideologies of the twentieth, that went on to equip itself with the technologies of the twenty-first, and that is now striving mightily to arm itself with the weaponry of the twenty-first as well.

I think mainstream Montana sees waterboarding as an unfortunate occurrence in time of war. Like most Montanans I believe the civil rights of someone who is attempting to do harm to me or my family ends at my front door, and subsequently, that I can use whatever force is necessary against that individual in order to get them to stop.

From Marty Peretz, who is perhaps the last voice of reason at The New Republic:

I don't mean to upset Andrew Sullivan again. But I think that most Democrats are showboating on "waterboarding." And they will pay with the election if they don't stop. Frankly, it's my opinion that the presidential candidates have clamped onto this example of admittedly very dubious behavior to signal to the party's left (which is the constituency that determines who's the nominee) that they think this defense against terrorism is a supposedly grave, grave issue. Hillary, of course, has hemmed and hawed the most, but not for the most cynical of reasons, but because she realizes that the issue is complicated, not simple.
What do they really believe? Who knows?

Alan Dershowitz has made the case in this morning's Wall Street Journal.

And in his article he cites none other than Bill Clinton on the specifics:

Consider, for example, the contentious and emotionally laden issue of the use of torture in securing preventive intelligence information about imminent acts of terrorism--the so-called "ticking bomb" scenario. I am not now talking about the routine use of torture in interrogation of suspects or the humiliating misuse of sexual taunting that infamously occurred at Abu Ghraib. I am talking about that rare situation described by former President Clinton in an interview with National Public Radio:

"You picked up someone you know is the No. 2 aide to Osama bin Laden. And you know they have an operation planned for the United States or some European capital in the next three days. And you know this guy knows it. Right, that's the clearest example. And you think you can only get it out of this guy by shooting him full of some drugs or waterboarding him or otherwise working him over."

He said Congress should draw a narrow statute "which would permit the president to make a finding in a case like I just outlined, and then that finding could be submitted even if after the fact to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court." The president would have to "take personal responsibility" for authorizing torture in such an extreme situation. Sen. John McCain has also said that as president he would take responsibility for authorizing torture in that "one in a million" situation.

Although I am personally opposed to the use of torture, I have no doubt that any president--indeed any leader of a democratic nation--would in fact authorize some forms of torture against a captured terrorist if he believed that this was the only way of securing information necessary to prevent an imminent mass casualty attack. The only dispute is whether he would do so openly with accountability or secretly with deniability. The former seems more consistent with democratic theory, the latter with typical political hypocrisy.

Unless the Democratic Party--and particularly their eventual candidate for president--is perceived as strong and smart on national defense and prevention of terrorism, the Bush White House may be proved to have made a clever partisan decision by refusing to make the war against terrorism a bipartisan issue. The Democrats may lose the presidency if they are seen as the party of MoveOn.org, Michael Moore, Cindy Sheehan, Dennis Kucinich and those senators who voted against Judge Mukasey because he refused to posture on a difficult issue relating to national security. They will win if they are seen as just as tough but a lot smarter on how to deal with real threats to our national interests.

Not only is the left "showboating," as Peretz rightly claims, but they also seemed to have forgotten some of the most famous words John F. Kennedy ever spoke:

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

On any given week, World War 2 offered more disaster and catastrophe than anything that has been seen in postwar Iraq. If the death of even one American or coalition soldier could be prevented from waterboarding or the use of drugs, I say go for it. The Founding Fathers certainly did not risk their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor so we could become spoiled, pampered, narcissistic, and focused solely on our own pleasure. If the Left gets it's way on the Mukaskey nomination, we will show the world that we remain focused on the "pleasure" of seeing our troops meet the same fate as they did in Vietnam, at the hands of a movement, different in name and method, but every bit as welcoming and celebratory of the defeat of any American enterprise anywhere on the planet as long as they can score a political point.

As the events in Pakistan and elsewhere this week have proven, the world's a dangerous place and I firmly believe that we need to use every method at our disposal to protect the lives of Americans at home and aboard from terrorists of any creed. If that means waterboarding, were do I screw in the hose? Oh, and Mr. Brown, your campaign just got another $200 because of this stupid stunt. If Baucus is going to continue in this imbecillic manner over the next 10+ months, it looks like I'll need to predate a few more checks to send your way!

Mike

Welcome UM College Republicans!

A hearty welcome to Montana's newest group blog, UM College Republicans.

Head on over and say "hi."

Mike

Look. Right!

This week's edition of Look. Right! is brought to you courtesy of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival at the Walt Disney World Resort, which provided the sustenance that allowed me to scan the entirety of Dextra Montana without the fear of hypoglycemia.

Our friend Dave Budge started out the week addressing unbound stupidity, and in a way continued the theme throughout the week in addressing the speak no evil hear no evil lemmings who support Forward Montana. Assuming Matt Singer actually planned to answer a few questions as promised regarding the money laundering operation he runs in Missoula, Dave plunged head first into the pool of double-speak and non-response response coming from what passes for the brain trust in Missoula. Dave then takes issue with Singer's supposed ignorance concerning an organization he runs and a movement he's part of. Dave then takes a walk on the lighter side and follows with one of the most memorable titles and lines contained in any post in the Mishblogha. Dave closes up the week providing a glimpse of Drew Carey's take on the issue of medical marijuana, the injustice of mandatory sentencing, and the injunction against the nanny-state fascists of the California State University system who actually proposed a rule that mandates students "be civil to one another." Oh yeah...don't forget to call Dave when the revolution begins!

The Conservative Cowgirls are back (!!) and 'Ridin' for the brand' for another week of short but sweet posting. On this week's happy trails the Girls' provide a "Sigh of relief" over Roy Brown's candidacy for Governor.

Gregg Smith of the Electric City Weblog had a prolific week blogging at his new digs. Gregg joins in the chorus of those who seek full disclosure from others, to actually practice what they preach. Greg then links to a post from fellow GF blogger Firefly on the airport confidentiality agreement and wonders why the sale of submarket power to a select group of GF insiders isn't news. We then find Gregg actually responding to an anonymous comment rather than sending it out to the peanut gallery. What does an Airport Authority confidentiality agreement have in common with Forward Montana? You'll find out in just a minute why it matters.

The Hardliner also makes a welcome appearance this week, highlighting how Montana continues to lose out on energy development. The Hardliner also points out how Montana is second to last among states in our region for providing property tax incentives for wind energy production. That might in part help explain why the Dakota's, Wyoming, and Minnesota are now taking the lead in harnessing the power of something other than the hot air coming out of the Governors Office when it comes to wind energy production.

You know, I've never met Carol Minjares of the now well-known Missoulapolis outside of a conference call a week or two ago but I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for her. Carol had the fearlessness to take-on Forward Montana in what promises to be a continuing effort among many of us. I don't know if Carol's ever considered a theme-song over the past week but I nominate Elton John's "I'm Still Standing" for her consideration. Carol started off the week looking at the tentacle of the machine and quickly followed by highlighting the insight an "anonymous" (to some) comment was able to provide to the subject. Carol then asks more questions regarding Forward Montana's association with MontPIRG and ASUM. Stay tuned! As if she wasn't busy enough this past week Carol provided a delightful glimpse of the corner stores in and around Missoula and continued her unsurpassed coverage of real estate and housing issues. She then started "MoveingOn," with a post about Fed Chairman "Helicopter" Ben Bernanke and news of an impending thinning of the Rattlesnake. But wait, I thought the Momzer™ told us that thinning "doesn't help reduce the threat of forest fires." Uh-huh.

Our friend at Montana Headlines got the week off to a good start, demystifying the "grassroots" of Montana's left, but substantially concentrated on the welcome news that Governor Schweitzer finally has some competition. Headlines' highlights Brown's initial lap around the track, ponders the timing of a Gazette hit-piece, and gives us the "Scoop" on why Montana's Democrats were "really trying to sink this guy" (Brown) the last time around.

Montana Main Street comes out of the gate preempting a hit piece that was sent via e-mail yesterday from Montana Democrats on Ponzi-style accounting and the Old Fund. Main Street then contemplates the future of American sources of energy and Montana's place in the debate, asking "Will Montana be a part of the solution or will we sit by as neighbors create good paying jobs and fill state coffers with increased revenue from development?" From where I'm sitting and to a certain degree investing, it looks like the latter to me! 'Street then asks "is Schweitzer beatable?" The answer, especially with the entrance of Roy Brown into the race is a resounding yes! We're then provided with an opportunity to get a good laugh from the folks at jib-jab and at the expense of Governor Schweitzer, who continues to play politics with the Old Fund.

Craig at Montana Politics didn't have much time for posting this week (I can't imagine why) but did make time for another edition of his award winning podcast, Small Town, Long Streets. This week Craig featured the Brothers Grimm. While it's always good to hear Craig's voice it took a lot of effort to not be bored into swallowing a bottle of aspirin, puncturing my carotid arteries, and then going on a long jog. If you didn't skip the first 45 minutes you were then treated to a contrived discourse on civility from the most foul-mouthed purveyor in the Mishblogha.

Our friend Steve at Rabid Sanity started out the week by throwing out a Mazel Tov to Carol for her expose on Forward Montana. Steve then makes a "Good Point" regarding Jon Tester, provides a glimpse of the disgusting claim that Mexican separatists were responsible for setting the California wildfires, takes a peek at the coming perfect economic disaster if the Democrats get their way and raise our taxes and provides a salient look at racism in Montana. Thanks, Steve.

Scoop Montana has probably had his hands full with Mr. Googles this week but did step away from his blogsabattical long enough to provide some background on The Unsinkable Roy Brown. It goes without saying that this brought out the most petulant of comments, one even going so far as to encourage the Scoop to "venture past the confines" of his own "little blog" to see what's been said elsewhere. Talk about narcissism! I'd never attempt to speak for The Scoop, considering he's more than capable of doing so himself, but I'd posit that perhaps he has indeed "ventured past" said confines, only to find a malodorous pile waiting on the "other" side.

Andy Hammond at The Hammond Report looks at the phony grassroots and encourages others to stand by their convicitions and give it up, oil that is, though there is at least some small connection between that sentiment and the outpouring of simulated outrage regarding the Forward Montana kerfuffle. Continuing on the theme of double-entendre, Andy highlights the "Propaganda Unraveling" regarding the massacre that didn't happen at Haditha and The New Republic's Scott Beauchamp's reporting of "shock troops." Andy then points out a funny (but true) bumper-sticker he spotted at Malfunction Junction and provides another take on the Nobel contention regarding global warming.

The Montana Misanthrope starts off with another welcome edition of "Writing Rightly," this week highlighting the valiant efforts of Carol at Missoulapolis. Doug then goes on to highlight the swindle of Boston's "Big Dig" and links to a piece from Montana blogger AJ Tooley about social indoctrination at the University of Delaware (I guess there's a reason UD's mascot is the "Fighting Blue Hen"). Doug then ponders the 5 years of stuff gathered in his house, before he has to pack it all up, and goes looking for a rifle range in Helena.

Jack at The Western Word serves up a dish of piping hot Saturday Potpourri and then quickly moves on to the next day in the blogging calendar, Tuesday, where he highlights a number of interesting items from the news. Jack then goes Trick or Treating, provides the good news a fallen Marine's father received from a Federal jury, and encourages us to "Queue up the music" over the last 14 months of the Bush administration.

Stay tuned for a another edition of Look. Right! next week, from the same undisclosed location at the Walt Disney Resort on the sand-bar otherwise known as Florida.

Mike

This Weeks Torah Portion: Chayei Sarah

Wishing you and yours a Shabbat Shalom!

Your friends at Chabad – Lubavitch,

Rabbi Chaim & Chavie

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Join us Shabbos morning at 10:30 AM to study the weekly Torah portion!
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This week's Torah portions: Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1-25:18)

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For candle lighting time in your area:
http://fridaylight.org/page/sunset-almanac.php

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A match made…at a well
By Rabbi Chaim

In the midst of the political amusement park we live in, I came across the news report about the source of the California public furnace. A quiet 10-year-old, who was playing with matches on his family's Santa Clarita horse ranch; started a fire that scorched 60 square miles and destroyed 21 homes. The minute I read it, I was truly amazed of the power of a single individual. The whole country was going crazy and somewhere on the hilltops of the Golden State, a young boy was living peacefully, not even realizing what he had caused.

Just as one individual can single handedly have such an enormous negative impact on all of society; I firmly believe that each and every one of us can have a major positive impact on our surroundings without doing much. Our world is very much one of dominos, you may do a simple act of goodness and kindness and it will have a ripple affect throughout your community and around the country. In the words of Margaret Mead " Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has".

So in this week's Torah portion Abraham sends his servant Eliezer to find his son Isaac a wife. He goes to Aram Naharayim, a city in Mesopotamia and stations himself near the local well. He stood and watched as many young women came to draw water, looking for the right one for Isaac. When he told this one young girl Rivkah that he was very thirsty, she said "drink sir… I will also draw water for your camels…", it is then that Eliezer knew that he got the new bride. It was not a major historical event; just a simple gesture of social compassion that got her hitched to one of our forefathers and transformed her into one of our four matriarchs. She could have been a good girl and given him water, but it was that extra deed for the animal kingdom, that made all the difference.

The Torah tells us that Rivkah was raised in a home like a rose amongst thorns. Her father Besu'el and brother Lavan were corrupt and not very friendly. Yet, Rivkah did not allow their lifestyle to impact her and she lead a spiritually first-class life. She didn't use circumstantial childhood excuses to opt out of her good conscious; instead, she entered her own bubble of good, until G-dly intervention delivered her Isaac as a loving husband. Her good personality made her the mother of Jacob and the grandmother of the twelve tribes. And how did this all come to be? Yup, by offering the camels water.

So next time you are wondering what a trouble-free "Thank you" or "Good morning" can accomplish? Remember, it is all these small acts that produced the grand puzzle of our glorious history. Like Rivkah, I am sure that the ten year old boy will realize how much his actions really count.

Don't underestimate your smile to the homeless man – it can make his day and change the world forever!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Moshiach speedily. May He protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be. Shabbat Shalom! Chazak!!! L'Chaim!!!!
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The ETorah is an educational project of
Chabad Lubavitch of Montana