Day: October 7, 2022

by Travis Mateer

It’s not every day that a Democrat in Montana like Ellie Boldman is quoted by the media kissing the ass of a Republican like Montana’s Governor, Greg Gianforte, but here it is (emphasis mine):

Overall, task force members said the preliminary draft was a good reflection of the many factors contributing to Montana’s worsening housing crisis. 

Boldman commended Gov. Greg Gianforte for creating the task force.

“For the wisdom to see, really, what I think was a crisis in our state,” Boldman said. “And to be really deliberate in trying to put together a task force that represented a lot of different interests.”

Wisdom? Really, Ellie Boldman? Isn’t that laying it on kinda thick?

While I’m tempted to quibble about words, there is a kind of political “wisdom” behind Boldman’s bold ass-kissing, considering Republicans will own the legislative session next year.

Thankfully the Missoulian isn’t acting like a conniving politician indirectly championing her own work on this state housing task force in its chokecherry assessment of the Governor’s housing report, which resulted from the work of the task force.

Here’s how the Missoulian framed the report (emphasis NOT mine):

A history book of chokecherries to the Montana Housing Task Force for its draft report suggesting a pile of ideas that have torn neighbors and neighborhoods apart in the recent past. Some Missoulians must still remember the feuds over “boundary line relocations.” The fights over calling that apartment in the detached garage an “accessory dwelling unit” or a “butt hut.” The “family definition” occupancy standard debate that pivoted on the legal difference between a house full of college student renters and a house full of nuns (really). If these terms seem vague, get ready for history to repeat itself with a lot of top-down pressure from Helena as the proposals to “require localities to allow accessory dwelling units on all single-family lots served by public water” and “prohibit localities from enacting an owner-occupancy requirement.” We’re not implying that Montana’s affordable housing crisis can resolve itself. But Gov. Greg Gianforte’s policy project would have saved a lot of time by recalling how its recycled ideas got received the last time someone trotted them out.

Throwing an entire HISTORY BOOK of chokecherries at our Governor is a mixed metaphor I can totally get behind. It’s also interesting to see how OLD ideas get deployed by this administration, especially on the heels of the fireside chat where some terrible NEW ideas were thrown out like they don’t stink.

Or maybe I’m wrong and opening cop shops to connect drug addicts to services and training an army of beer truck drivers to combat human trafficking are GREAT ideas.

Anyway, if political self-preservation is the goal, Ellie Boldman’s choice to give Gianforte (and herself, let’s not kid ourselves) political cover is probably a pretty good idea.

Thanks for reading!

by Travis Mateer

I’m not sure why I held off on the report of a body found near the California Street Bridge, but I did, and it looks like the whole thing ended up being fake. So fake that the story is now that the initial story was fake. From the link (emphasis mine):

On October 6, 2022, at approximately 10:34 a.m., the Missoula Police Department issued a statement regarding a social media post that was beginning to go viral.

Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold provided the following information.

“Unfortunately, this social media post has gained traction and caused unnecessary concern in our community,” Arnold said. “The post contains only false information. The safety of Missoula’s residents is our top priority. We work hard to ensure people feel safe to live, work, recreate, and visit our hometown.”

Even though Missoula’s Public Information Officer, Lydia Arnold, said this was all bunk, the idea didn’t just dissipate into the ether:

The social media post deemed fake by the authorities mentioned multiple bodies found stabbed in a similar fashion, and the term “serial killer” was even used.

This fake story is coming on the heels of the town of Clinton, just east of Missoula on I-90, being told there is NO THREAT to the public after an 88 year old woman was found beaten and non-responsive with no suspect in custody. From the link (emphasis mine):

Deputies responded to a report of an assault in the 5600 block of Donovan Creek Road just after noon.

On scene, deputies found Delphine A. Farmer, 88, unresponsive. Farmer was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Officials say a person has not been taken into custody in relation to the homicide and there is no risk to the public at this time.

Anyone who reads that bold part is subjecting themselves to the cognitive dissonance of state power.

In addition to downplaying what might threaten the public, there’s also that SWAT training that wasn’t a training, the guy shot by authorities near the airport who went unnamed for nearly a month, and other incidents that raise questions that don’t have good answers.

It’s too bad local media had to waste time setting the record straight on this weird fake news because there was a MUCH bigger event happening on Thursday, and that’s the appearance of Missoula County’s VERY FIRST pet commissioner!

Yes, that’s right, a PET commissioner. Why? Because cuteness is a weapon even those who know better can’t resist.

Coming up on Sunday, I think I’ve discovered a magic button authorities have access to, and you won’t believe what it can do.

Thanks for reading!