Serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis. © James Conner.
Today, an opportunity to behave like a gypsy in a palace, a worthy cause for which you should spare a dime or more, the possibility of snowflakes on kilts, and another vote that’s political trouble for John Walsh.
If you’ve ever wanted to twist and shout in a place that normally should be quieter than a tomb, you’ll get the chance on the first day of spring, 20 March 2014, at the Flathead County Library (aka ImagineIF Libraries) in Kalispell, starting at 1730 MDT. Thirty dollars gets you through the door, after which you can whoop-n-holler like white lightnin’ fueled hillbillies under a full moon.
There’ll be music, food, suds, and for more refined palates, wine, all to get you in the mood to part with your money on raffle baskets and a live auction. For more info, call 758-2469 or visit www.flatheadcountylibraryfoundation.org.
And the moon that evening? It will be 86 percent illuminated, hanging low in the sky just south of due west.
That’s the Montana Human Rights Network’s effort to raise $25,000 dollars in 30 days to help Cahill offset the expenses of recovering from the robbery and vandalization of her clinic in Kalispell. Donating also lets Cahill know she still has friends in a community in which she’s lost faith, and lets the world know that the community still contains citizens who believe in and support a woman’s right to choose.
As of 0830 this morning, a total of $4,476 had been contributed by 68 donors.
Flathead Memo endorses this effort to express solidarity with Cahill and provide practical support for her.
Kalispell’s Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the parade, which commences at 1600 MDT Monday at the south end of Main Street and marches north to Center. Today is bright and sunny, but the National Weather Service predicts an inch or two of snow on Monday afternoon.
I may not be there. Snowflakes on kilts and tams might be picturesque, but I’m not sure I can abide the bawling of wet and cold bagpipes. If you do attend, the pubs on Main Street probably can warm you with hot toddies. In fact, they’re undoubtedly counting on the parade to supply customers.
Local factors account for the parade’s route, but marching south to north is a common theme in Irish history and culture:
What’s the news, what’s the news, O me bold Shelmalier
With your long barrel guns from the sea?
Say, what wind from the south brings a messenger here
With this hymn of the dawn for the free?
Goodly news, goodly news do I bring youth of Forth
Goodly news shall I hear Bargy man.
For the boys march at morn from the south to the north
Led by Kelly, the boy from Killane.
Erin go Braugh!
Vivek H. Murthy, graduate of Yale’s medical school and instructor at Harvard’s medical school, is President Obama’s nominee for Surgeon General. His credentials are impressive, he’s an early political supporter of the President, and by all appearances well qualified for the position, even at just 36 years of age, but he’s also in the crosshairs of the National Rifle Association for his views on firearms.
According to the New York Times, his nomination is in big trouble:
Senate aides said Friday that as many as 10 Democrats are believed to be considering a vote against Dr. Murthy, who has voiced support for various gun control measures like an assault weapons ban, mandatory safety training and ammunition sales limits.
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The N.R.A. has said it will “score” any confirmation vote — meaning that voting yes would negatively affect a senator’s annual rating from the group. This is not an idle concern for senators like Mr. Begich, Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana, Mark Pryor of Arkansas and John Walsh of Montana — all Democrats who represent states where opposition from the N.R.A. could mean the difference in a close race.
If there are enough Democratic votes to defeat confirmation, Republicans might not oppose a vote the nomination.
Red state Democrats have a legitimate beef with Obama on gun control. He’s put them in a no-win position by consistently — and irrationally — underestimating the power of the NRA and even nuttier firearms lobbies and overestimating his political power to move even timid gun control legislation.