It's "extortion"

Missoulian calls it "ransom" (0.00 / 0)

Lots of opinions on what Schweitzer is trying to pull here.  None of them good.
Schweitzer holds funding for ransom: Governor's demand for Otter Creek support in exchange for stimulus is wrong

Missoulian editorial | Posted: Thursday, April 1, 2010 8:25 am
Montana's governor has gone from coal cowboy to coal bully.

In his recent visit to Missoula, Gov. Brian Schweitzer made the astounding announcement that he is putting federal stimulus dollars up for sale. The price: a letter of support for Otter Creek coal leases.

This is a blatant abuse of power on the part of Montana's governor, and Montanans should not put up with it.

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by: ochenski @ Thu Apr 01, 2010 at 20:13:04 PM UTC

Full Circle (0.00 / 0)

I guess this issue can have George 'pink socialist' Ochenski agreeing with Lee 'tea bagger' Randall that we should not spend the money.  This is funny stuff.

I think Oh Ochenski's blood is going to boil over on this one.  He must really want that Big Flat road paved and widened, just like the community.  I know the county commissioners have a bunch of support for this project.  Down with old growth tree's George, down with old growth.  

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by: Junior @ Fri Apr 02, 2010 at 05:53:36 AM UTC

ochenski is too obsessed (0.00 / 0)

with hating the governor to realize the logic of this comment.

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by: Montana Cowgirl @ Fri Apr 02, 2010 at 13:54:30 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Following your "logic" Bovine Lady... (0.00 / 0)

that must mean that the Bozeman Chronicle and Missoulian are also "obsessed with hating the governor?"

Some of you seem to have a real problem understanding the differences that might exist between popularity and good policy. You seem to hitch your wagons to the Dems and ride with them where ever they will take you. Hey, maybe you should go by Montana Sheepgirl.

Some of us actually take the time to look at policy (no matter who proposes it) and we base our opinions on the policy, not on the person.

Good policy is good policy, no matter who proposes it. The same is true of bad policy. It just strikes me as ironic that Gov BS's extortion, ransom, blackmail plan is so widely criticized...and all you can do MT Cowgirl is go after Ochenski? Get real please.

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by: Matthew Koehler @ Fri Apr 02, 2010 at 14:05:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

no, obsession means a pattern. (0.00 / 0)

I only mean george.

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by: Montana Cowgirl @ Fri Apr 02, 2010 at 14:31:59 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Looks like you've been served sheepgirl... (0.00 / 0)

http://4and20blackbirds.wordpr...

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by: Matthew Koehler @ Fri Apr 02, 2010 at 15:01:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Perpsective is not hate, Bovine Babe (0.00 / 0)

Seems to me you lack the historical perspective to remember what it was like in Montana when Anaconda Co., its successor ARCO, and the infamous Montana Power Co. were literally in charge of the state.  Perhaps, as they say, ignorance is bliss.  But for some of us who lived through those dark days when the corporate powers dominated the state legislature and did what they wanted with the people, their communities and the environment, there's a deep and abiding distrust of those who would sell us back down that dirty river.  Maybe you ought to take a little trip down memory lane and review the last 10 years worth of columns in the Indy and see whether or not I treated Racicot and Martz with the same degree of accountability for their actions.  Or hey, go back before that into the 80s and check out my early columns in the Helena IR when Schwinden decided to slash the coal tax in half (another Democrat strangely enamored with coal, as it were).

"Hate" has nothing to do with it.  Had Stephens, Racicot or Martz pulled what Brian Schweitzer just pulled (or tried to), you'd have been foaming at the mouth and demanding their heads on a pike.  But if it's a Democrat doing it, why, looking the other way is as simple as, say, a cow chewing her cud.

I've had great talks with Schweitzer, tipped a beer or two, laughed together and enjoyed each other's company.  He's gregarious and often hilarious.  But that's him personally -- not his policies.  You seem to be incapable of distinguishing between the two.  I am not.

Let's see, on the current issue there are the two prominent posters on this blog, virtually all of the major newspapers editorial boards, indy papers, Montana blogs and the NYTimes blog all on one side condemning the actions. And on the other side is --- ahhh, Bovine Babe.  I'm quite sure you have contradicting legal opinions from good sources to hold up your opinion, don't you?  What, you just didn't want to post them?  Or is it possible you're just content to, say, chew your cud and blast a little methane in my direction?

 

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by: ochenski @ Fri Apr 02, 2010 at 16:15:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Two things at play here (0.00 / 0)

First is the Gov's attempt to get Republican lawmakers to support the releasing of stimulus money for projects in their own communities.  There is a certain irony that many of the state's conservatives voted against accepting stimulus money and then started whining when their pet projects didn't get expected funding.  While I can't get too upset with Schweitzer for pointing this out, he's not exactly taking the high road -- but that's politics.

On the other hand, his request in Missoula, of all places, that we accept Otter Creek Coal money in order to get a road project done is one of the biggest PR blunders I've seen lately.  And this from a governor who excels at public relations.  Strange.  Maybe he forgot where he was.  I noticed the folks down in Stevi had no problems taking coal money to fix the town hall's roof.

Finally, while 'Bovine Lady' 'Sheepgirl' 'Bovine Babe' and methane references brought a chuckle ... let's play nice.  I have read criticism of elected Democrats from Montana Cowgirl in the past.

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by: pete talbot @ Fri Apr 02, 2010 at 19:23:23 PM UTC

Maybe the extortion on the Big Flat Road project (0.00 / 0)

is a blessing in disguise. It's a pretty controversial project, and many see it as a foot in the door to doing a westside bypass around Missoula.

While I think Missoula needs a westside bypass for US 93, I don't think that Big Flat Road is the right place to put it.

As far as I'm concerned, the road is fine as it is, without tearing out all that oldgrowth P Pine and widening it. Let's just call Brian's bluff on this one.

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by: JC @ Fri Apr 02, 2010 at 19:54:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Good point, JC (0.00 / 0)

The Big Flat Road improvement is controversial.  I kinda like the road the way it is.  Maybe we should call the gov's bluff.

But is another westside bypass to US 93 really needed?  No matter where it goes, it's going to disturb lots of pristine land.  And who wants another Reserve St.?  'Cause you know the saying, "if you build it, they will come."

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by: pete talbot @ Fri Apr 02, 2010 at 21:47:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

it should be said (0.00 / 0)

that criticizing schweitzer for acting like an idiot is a form of support. i voted for him. i want him to act better and to be a good example for our kids. i want him to enhance his career and rise to greater heights. that is why i criticize him. not to tear him down.

i support george because i support schweitzer.
acting like a moron is not acceptable behavior. so please, Brian- apologize and get this behind you for all of our sakes.

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by: problembear @ Sat Apr 03, 2010 at 23:15:02 PM UTC