The Politics Of Addiction In Montana

by Travis Mateer

On November 19^th, 2020, the United States Attorney’s Office issued a press release regarding a grant. What did this $248,000 grant do? It gave a non-profit influencer an opportunity to get a headline for her and her friend, the Sheriff, who wanted to be a politician just like Ellie did, the former director of the Poverello Center who was recently arrested and found guilty of a DUI in Helena.

From the first link (emphasis mine):

Missoula Substance Abuse Connect, a coalition created to develop a comprehensive community plan to reduce substance abuse, including methamphetamine-related violent crime, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

…

“Drug enforcement is more effective if done in partnership with prevention and treatment programs that reduce demand. An epidemic of substance abuse—particularly meth use—is overwhelming local courts, jail and hospitals and is ravaging families. We must break this terrible cycle by providing greater access to effective prevention and treatment programs and support for people in recovery,” said Susan Hay Patrick, chief executive officer of United Way of Missoula County.

…

“The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office looks forward to this partnership with the United Way to provide assistance through Missoula Substance Abuse Connect to those in our community who are dealing with addictions and substance abuse issues. I’d also like to thank United Way of Missoula CEO Susan Hay Patrick for her efforts on this project,” Missoula County Sheriff TJ McDermott said.

While McDermott’s political ambitions mysteriously stalled before an official run for Mayor, Ellie’s blasted off like your brain does when you snort a line of quality cocaine. Despite all the rumors swirling around about Ellie in her adopted hometown of Missoula–rumors I visited local bars to investigate yesterday–Ellie had been doing just fine, politically speaking.

For example, Missoula’s State Senator had her nose far up Gianforte’s ass for being allowed on the housing task force and, just a few days ago, she gave Greg Hertz the false impression that a political blast after amending a tax bill would get her to support it. Unsurprisingly, it turned out Ellie was full of shit.

Regarding WHY Hertz blasted the tax bill, this quote from The Pulp is helpful (emphasis mine):

“I’ve had a number of individuals who would like to have further discussion on this,” Hertz said on the Senate floor.

One of these individuals came from an unlikely corner of the Legislature: Ellie Boldman, a Democratic senator from Missoula.

“I voted no for this bill yesterday,” Boldman told lawmakers. “The good senator did exclude schools. This amendment will also now exclude fire and police — public safety. With that, it’s a good bill.

“I say to my friends on my side of the aisle that our people that vote for us, they’re hurting, property taxes are hurting.”

At first I thought this was just your normal political grandstanding, but after the weekend excitement Ellie had, I’m beginning to think she may legislate while drunk.

The vote on the motion split both parties — a rare occurrence — but ultimately passed 29-20. The next day, Saturday, the Senate approved Hertz’s amendments and the bill itself following debate that included Hertz calling out city governments and their lobbyists for “beating up on” lawmakers like Boldman for supporting the bill. Those lobbyists are using tax dollars to advocate against the taxpayer, he said, even with his amendments. Incidentally — or perhaps not — Boldman voted against the bill in its amended form, despite having all but twisted Hertz’s arm to bring the bill back, as he put it. 

The reason I emphasized SATURDAY is because I believe this is the same Saturday that Ellie was arrested passed out in her car “waiting for a ride” from a friend. Someone who responded on X felt a little differently about Ellie’s narrative damage control:

Since I’m not sure how capable Missoula’s Democratic State Senator is at actually accepting accountability for her reckless, criminal action, I decided to get some impressions from local bartenders about how they would approach serving a politician ordered by the courts to NOT be in establishments that serve alcohol. I’m happy to report there will be several locations in Missoula that will HAPPILY continue enabling our State Senator, were she to come to their respective establishments.

The person I spoke with at Flippers suspected I was suggesting they engage in SNITCH behavior when I explained the sad plight of our State Senator, which is funny when you consider how a few years ago it was Ellie’s political team that thought snitching on NON-mask wearing citizens was a good use of their time. Much of that snitching, if you recall, focused on restaurants that didn’t want to be financially strangled out of existence.

For those who may have forgot how our brave State Senator misrepresented reality back then, here’s a Ellie imploring that you DON’T EVER GODDAMN FORGET!

Another local bar, one that succumbed to the obnoxious control of Nick Checota, was MORE than happy to keep serving Ellie. At least that was the impression the bartender gave me when I suggested she call 911 if Ellie enters their establishment.

I won’t specify which bar I got some sensitive intel regarding a creative payment scheme in lieu of conventional money a supposed former legal client of Ellie Boldman’s was offered, but I WILL specify who I saw drinking his signature bourbon all by himself at 3:45pm at the Union Club yesterday: PETE TALBOT!

Pete wasn’t very talkative yesterday, and only used his tired-looking eyes to communicate how enthusiastic he was to see me. I let him know about his political ally’s plight, then offered my sincere hope that he wasn’t going to operate a motor vehicle if he felt over the legal limit for doing so.

Before seeing Pete at the bar, my conversation with the bartender at the Union Club, and a patron who spent time slinging booze, was a good gauge of how UNLIKELY it would be that Ellie would face any actual consequences if she were to continue her known activities upon returning from legislating in Helena. I hope my on-the-ground reporting alleviates any anxiety our troubled Senator may be feeling.

Before I wrap up this post, here’s a recent story about the influence of BIG TOBACCO. If you don’t think this nefarious influence is worth paying attention to, that’s probably because you aren’t familiar with the proliferation of VAPELIFE.

From the link (emphasis mine):

A Republican lawmaker and vape shop owner has announced his resignation from the Montana Legislature, alleging political favoritism toward major tobacco companies and unscrupulous decision-making by fellow members of the GOP.

Rep. Ron Marshall, R-Hamilton, has served in the Montana House of Representatives since 2021. An owner of two vape shops in the state, Marshall has become an outspoken critic of national tobacco companies.

Marshall framed his resignation, which comes as the Legislature nears its midway point, not as an act of protest, but as a type of surrender after two months of bruising battles over vape and tobacco bills.

“I don’t want to swim in this swamp anymore. Why do I want to stay? I’m not a corrupt person. Why do I want to stay around a bunch of corrupt people?” Marshall told reporters on Monday. “I’m not going to play this game anymore.”

Right on, Ron! I think a certain computer program from the 80’s would agree!

Unfortunately, not all of us have the option to quit the game-playing, which brings me to my constant plug for monetary support–Travis’ Impact Fund (TIF) if you can afford it, though who really can these days?

Thanks for reading!