Serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis. © James Conner.
At some point, recreational marijuana probably will be legalized in Montana. I’m for decriminalizing the weed — its classification as a Schedule I drug is stupid and destructive — but I’m not for smoking it, medicinal circumstances excepted, let alone driving under its influence.
Still, decriminalization is on its way, and so is the regulatory circus now playing in the state of Washington, where the Seattle Post-Intelligencer now has a Pot Blog. Pay attention, Montanans. The future looks like Haight-Ashbury circa 1967.
Montana Cowgirl has an excellent report on how Montana Public Radio ended up hauling water for health insurance companies on student health insurance. To my mind, this is more proof that we need a single payer system, and that the private health insurance industry is a menace to quality healthcare.
At 4and20blackbirds, JC has long, thought provoking post on expanding Medicaid in Montana and the merits of calling a special session. He quotes Flathead Memo extensively. If legislative minds have changed since the legislature adjourned, a special session would be the fastest way of expanding Medicaid. But no minds have changed. If anything, the Republicans intent on depriving low income people of decent medical care have hardened their opposition to expanding Medicaid. My opinion? A special session would accomplish nothing and should not be called.
When a senile 72-year-old knocks on your door, do you call the police and let them handle the old gent, or do you stand your ground and shoot him? In Georgia, reports the New York Times, one man stood his ground and used his Glock to put Gramps six feet under the ground.
Montana also has a stand your ground statute that provides a defense for questionable violence. The more I contemplate the situations and concerns that generate support for stand your ground laws, the more complexities I see and the less sure I become that these laws are an intrinsic evil. That doesn’t mean I think homeowners should kill senile old men who appear on their doorsteps after dark — calling the cops and giving the guy a cup of coffee is the better response — but I don’t think anyone should be required to step aside when meth crazed thieves come to steal everything you own, or that you should meekly surrender your wallet when a six-foot-eight psychopath with Olympic sprinter speed says, “give me your money or I’ll break your neck.”