All I did was sniff a beer!

by: Jay Stevens

Thu May 27, 2010 at 08:34:32 AM MST

Johnson, 59, said he's convinced he was not in violation of Montana's DUI law, although a breathalyzer test showed his blood-alcohol content at 0.24 percent - three times the legal limit for drunken driving.

"The thing that has really come out of this experience for me is, that I think it's incredibly stupid to have so much as a sip of alcohol and get behind the wheel," he said. "I'll never let it happen again."

With a BAC three times over the legal limit, that means, as Pogie points out, 12 to 15 beers...

At a .24 BAC, Johnson would be "feeling dazed/confused or otherwise disoriented. May need help to stand/walk....Blackouts are likely at this level so you may not remember what has happened."

Doesn't Johnson's excuse sound familiar?

Scott Boggio, after breathing a .14 BAC during the 2007 legislative session: "Well, I guess that, you know, anyone who goes out for dinner and has a few drinks along with their meal can get a DUI." (At a .14 BAC, Boggio would be experiencing "Gross motor impairment and lack of physical control. Blurred vision and major loss of balance....Judgment and perception are severely impaired."

Greg Barkus' lawyer, on having a .16 BAC an hour after the Flathead Lake Boat crash: ""We adamantly disagree with those alleged levels set forth in the charging document....We have several witnesses that will testify that Mr. Barkus was not impaired at the time of the accident." At a .16 BAC, Barkus would be experiencing impairment and lack of physical control, blurred vision and loss of balance, and "The drinker has the appearance of a 'sloppy drunk.'"

What? Is there a Republican boot camp somewhere that teaches GOP lawmakers a strategy of denial to dismiss DUIs?

Bagging the RWNJLINO, a new Montana Trophy

by: Montana Cowgirl

Thu Apr 01, 2010 at 05:42:21 AM MST

The third iteration of the  RINO and FCINO is an animal that is actually quite abundant in Montana (so abundant, in fact, that Rehberg staffers may hunt it year round if they like). 

It's a RWNJLINO, which stands for Right Wing Nut-Job Lunatic in Name Only.

The Rawnjalino (or Rawnjalina, if you are talking about a female of the species) has been sighted around the state, in Helena as well as eastern hunting districts, according to FWP's catalogue of indigenous Montana animals.

Take, for example, the three Sweetgrass county commissioners.  (Sweetgrass being one of the most conservative counties in Montana.) They decided to undertake a construction project that they didn't have the money for so they figured "why not bank on some stimulus funds, on the come." Last week, Schweitzer went to Sweetgrass to explain how little money the state has, and how important a balanced budget is, and how the Republican legislators from that district voted against the stimulus. But the commissioners begged Schweitzer for the money.  So those commissioners are RWNJLINOS.  They try their best to be Right Wing Nut Jobs, probably going home at night and cracking open a beer and listening to Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity,  and Rush on the radio in the morning, and complaining about Obama, ObamaKKKare, Pelosi, Reid, stimulus, etc..   But then they go to work the next day and find ways to spend, and beg for, stimulus funds.

In Townsend, too, the Republican officials are Rawnjalinos.  They had the same problem as Sweetgrass, and are begging for stimulus money.  Schweitzer suggested they get a letter from Scott Sales in support of stimulus funds (Sales voted against all of this money).  We'll see if Sales turns out to be a Rawnjalino, or simply a Rawnj.  Same thing in Whitehall, where Scott Mendenhall and his conservative Jeffco commissioner buddies (Mendenhall even voted for a bill that would allow insurance companies to discriminate against pregnant women) are asking the Governor for stimulus money. Mendenhall voted no on stimulus as well.

So there are many RWNJLINOS here, right wing nutjobs by night, welfare queens by day.

Then there are The Realtors. The realtors, a solidly Republican lot, are up in arms right now because Schweitzer has supposedly notified hundreds of landlords who rent their buildings to the state that he expects a 20% rent reduction, or else he will look for space elsewhere when those leases come due in the next few years.  These are the folks, mind you, that selected ultrarightwinger John Sinrud of Belgrade as their lobbyist. Sinrud and the realtors spent a fortune to defeat Frank Sweeney (the lone environmentalist on the Whitefish City commission last year), and who seem to be behind every well-funded right-wing endeavor in Montana, often with the help of operatives like Chuck Denowh.  So they might seem like right wing nut jobs at a glance.

But they are, in fact, RWNJLINOS. They are, like many well-connected Republicans, welfare queens who got fat, sweetheart deals from Martz, Racicot and Stephens, Republican Governors who fattened up their many realtor friends around the state by paying them higher-than-market, long term rents. Fiscal conservatism is very important to these landlords, unless, of course, they have an opportunity to make money off of us taxpayers. In which case, how dare a Governor try to bargain for a better deal for the state.

There are some better-known RWNJLINOS, like Rehberg (who voted to have citizens carry federal ID cards, which drives right wing nut jobs crazy and is a vote that might limit his career), Greg Barkus (who sponsored an attempt to decimate labor unions in the 2007 session.....and then in 2009 snuck in a 600,000 bailout for his millionaire Flathead buddy Swank, and also is trying, so I hear, to get a work comp settlement for his drunk boating accident injury) Roger Koopman (a man not known for his deep knowledge, but for his wingnuttery:He sent out mailers about members of his own party showing them coddling child molesting serial killers) who was masquerading in drag as a rightwingnutjob but then got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, using the state government to enrich himself, handsomely and illegally. 

And there is even a doe, a Rawnjalina. It's a certain family/christian-values Republican legislator who shall remain nameless, might remind one of Sarah Palin, and was caught in a mating ritual with another legislator, who was not her husband, in a car, a few years back.  She definitely is a Rawnjalina (and a raunchy rawnjalina at that).
 
Wildlife spotting is always great fun in Montana.

Rehberg's Dirty Dozen: Orange hunting vests? So last week. The suit to have is the orange jumpsuit

by: Montana Cowgirl

Sat Mar 20, 2010 at 14:29:57 PM MST

Check out the Rehberg Dirty Dozen below the fold.

Is character still important to Montana voters? Is it still important to elect leaders that value character? Even George W. Bush said "A leader must surround himself with honorable people."

When you see who Rehberg chooses as his associates, staff, and advisors, what does it tell you about his judgment? What does it say when he selects people like this to advise him on matters that are so important?

This is a story that definitely speaks for itself.  

There is just one moon and one golden sun

by: Yellowstone Kelly

Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 11:10:56 AM MST

Dustin Frost is managing Nels Swandal's campaign for the Montana Supreme Court?

Swandal was the original judge assigned to preside over the case involving allegations that State Senator Greg Barkus - yes, a Republican from Kalispell - after all of the judges in Flathead County recused themselves because they had exchange political favors with Greg.

You might recall that last fall Barkus launched his boat on the rocky edifices just south of Bigfork after a night drinking across the Flathead Lake in Lakeside.

Everyone on board suffered severe injuries, but Dustin Frost is lucky to be alive.

Swandal was taken off the case after his ties with, including campaign contributions to, Republicans in every walk of life were revealed.

Frost, fortunately recovered and went back to work with Rehberg several months ago.

Now. Barkus's attorney is using every trick up his sleeve to delay and dicker to save Greg from donning prison issue and spending time in Deer Lodge. Given the machinations between the GOP and those who preside over the criminal justice system, coupled with normal amount of judicial intrigue with political big shots, Barkus might just beat the rap.

Had Swandal remained on the case, resulting from alleged negligence that almost took Dustin Frost's life, he would be in the midst of the maneuvering behind the scenes.

Instead, Swandal is off the case and an announced candidate for the high court.

And, Frost, who is a bright and capable fellow, now leads Swandal's campaign.

Go figure. What are the odds?

Or, is this simply a coincidence?

What next? Swandal wins (God forbid). Rehberg runs for Governor in 2012 and wins (OMG!). Frost selected as chief of staff.

And, Barkus?

Appointed to chauffeur Denny around after hours.

Rehberg's Ideas Don't Amount to Much

by: Montana Cowgirl

Thu Oct 22, 2009 at 05:56:55 AM MST

This week's Queen City News says "not much":

[I]t seems like the five-term congressman could be coming up with better ideas than trying to increase the number of snowmobiles and snowcoaches allowed in Yellowstone, stopping the Montana Department of Transportation from producing "self-congratulatory" signs noting that construction projects are paid for by stimulus funds, and permitting transportation of legal firearms on Amtrak trains. Which, and more important, how many people do his proposals really benefit?

Editor Cathy Siegner also notes how odd it is that Rehberg has been so supportive of Barkus throughout this ordeal.  Check out her take.

Links...

by: Jay Stevens

Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 10:22:56 AM MST

Just when you thought the issues around the Flathead Lake Boat Crash couldn't get any more asinine, they do.

James Conner has the details of that night's incident - apparently Barkus thought he was heading in the opposite direction than he actually was, and was pulling a u-turn at 45 mph in the dark in treacherous waters when he struck the lake bank. Dan Testa, too, has a good roundup of that night's events - two scotches and an unknown amount of red and white wine for Barkus. Just the thing for a chilly night out on the lake.

Now Barkus' lawyer is challenging the .16 BAC results - which, I know, is his right to do and probably a smart legal maneuver. But Barkus is also planning on finishing out his Senate term, as if nothing's happened here, as if he hadn't just boozed up and almost killed himself and four others on Flathead Lake.

The crash was a good sign he's got a problem, eh? I mean, for most of us, this would be a kind of, I dunno, a wake-up call, wouldn't it?

That's the way I'd see it if it were me. I'd be apologizing my *ss off to the friends and family of those I injured through my loathsome behavior, I'd cooperate with the authorities and plea bargain my way into a just punishment, resign my public office because of the deficiency of my character, and I'd check myself into a rehab clinic, ASAP. I mean, wouldn't most people feel some remorse, and want to repent and work to rehabilitate themselves?

Instead, Barkus is still out there, still a drunk, and, probably as soon as he's walking again, back behind the wheel. And he'll be passing laws over you. So much for personal responsibility.

*  *  *

As always, there's plenty of news from Hardin.

The Billings Gazette got its hands on the "memorandum of understanding" between Hardin and the APF - which it had to get by court order, apparently because it's pretty embarrassing to Hardin officials - that revealed the city did have an agreement with Hilton's company to have the APF supply Hardin with a police force for $250K. The contract toned the language down, but the memo certainly explains the Hardin Police Force decals on APF SUVs.

Naturally, with all the furor over these SUVs, Hardin is looking to start its own police force.

But the American Police Force takeover of the Hardin jail only looks dead. While Hardin put the deal with APF on hold after revelations of Michael Hilton's checkered past, a mysterious APF investor stepped forward (anonymously, of course) and noted the firm would still pursue the Hardin jail contract, only without "Captain" Michael Hilton on board.

Whee!

Barkus at .16 BAC

by: Matt Singer

Wed Oct 07, 2009 at 12:00:46 PM MST

Electric City Weblog is quick to note that this doesn't necessarily mean he was under the influence. Commenters over there are waiting for us to "pounce" on the .16 BAC and one commenter surmises that the BAC is "their only indicator" of being under the influence. Really? Last I checked there was a fucking boat out of the water cause it had been going ~40 MPH. That was evidence, in my mind, of being under the influence of something. If their defense of Greg Barkus is that he is stupid enough to do this shit sober, that isn't much of a defense at all.

Barkus' BAC was .16 an hour after boat wreck

by: Jay Stevens

Wed Oct 07, 2009 at 11:56:45 AM MST

Montana State Senator Greg Barkus has officially been charged with three felonies in connection with the August 27th boat crash that injured Montana Congressman Dennis Rehberg and four others.

A judge signed the motion Wednesday morning which calls for Barkus to be charged with criminal endangerment and two counts of negligent vehicular assault, which are a result of the injuries sustained by Congressman Dennis Rehberg and staffer Dustin Frost.

Records show that the hospital blood alcohol sample drawn from Barkus an hour and 45 minutes after the crash was .16. The other sample, which was taken four hours after the accident by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials registered .12.

Different people process alcohol at different rates. But by any standard, a BAC of .16 is drunk.

In the know zone:

BAC = .12-.15 = Vomiting usually occurs, unless this level is reached slowly or a person has developed a tolerance to alcohol. Drinkers are drowsy.

Drinkers display emotional instability, loss of critical judgment, impairment of perception, memory, and comprehension.

Lack of sensor-motor coordination and impaired balance are typical. Decreased sensory responses and increased reaction times develop. The vision is significantly impaired, including limited ability to see detail, peripheral vision, and slower glare recovery.

Obviously Barkus was unfit to drive a boat, at night, at excessive speeds, and in treacherous waters. I'm glad he's being charged with felonies, and I hope he's punished to the fullest extent of the law.

And because Barkus was drunk, and excessively so, it is fair to question Dennis Rehberg's judgment -- not for climbing in a boat with someone who was obviously drunk, which simply makes him a fool -- but for bringing two staffers with him, which made him accountable for their safety.

Some very, very bad decisions were made that night, and those on the boat almost paid for those decisions with their lives. Justice, in Barkus' case, seems be in motion.

He wants to be forgotten, even by God

by: Yellowstone Kelly

Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 06:05:13 AM MST

Didn't you hear? It's not a good idea to drink and drive. It's poor judgment to be at the controls of anything moving while impaired.

Let alone a high-powered, luxury speedboat.

In the dark.

On one of the most treacherous sections of Flathead Lake.

Going over 40 miles per hour.

Using GPS.

With four passengers onboard.

OK, you did it. No. You did them all. Just how impaired you were is open to question.

Hearing all of this, a stone sober observer might say incredulously, "And, you're trying to tell me he wasn't drunk?"

Our Congressman took the offense and made his BAC available immediately. Erik Iverson, who mysteriously surfaced within a matter of hours after the crash, saw to that. After all, the best defense is a good offense. Get the BAC out there; get it sullied, and then argue against its admissibility as evidence in court.

We can all speculate about woulda, coulda, shoulda with Denny's BAC at the time of the accident. (He was not legally impaired at the time the BAC was taken, several hours after the accident. And, if he was, well, the law seems to absolve him of any responsibility.)

But, his BAC is not a secret.

Evidently, you feel yours should be private. Sort of a private understanding with you and your barkeep.

While there have been no charges filed, your attorney, Todd Glazier, is nonetheless moving to suppress everything. And, like rats abandoning a sinking ship (or, power boat), public officials in Flathead County elected to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate are scurrying for cover.

"Recuse" me?

Barkus asks for hearing to suppress evidence

by: Jay Stevens

Thu Oct 01, 2009 at 10:01:39 AM MST

But there is a hearing on whether to suppress evidence in the case:

Helena attorney Mike Meloy, who has successfully argued several high-profile cases dealing with access to public records, said holding a suppression hearing before any charges have been filed is "very unusual."

"I've never heard of it being filed before some criminal charges have been filed," Meloy said. "It's not only unusual but I don't understand how it can happen."

The hearing was requested by Barkus' attorney, Todd Glazier.

Is Barkus receiving preferential treatment?

Flathead judges recuse themselves from Barkus "case"

by: Jay Stevens

Tue Sep 22, 2009 at 06:20:35 AM MST

Er...there's no case!

And weren't Barkus' BAC results supposed to have reached Montana by now? I was, you know, joking when I suggested they were coming by horse...wasn't I? Or are the results protected by Judge Curtis' gag order?

The real news, then, will come when Flathead County officials announce that they're charging Barkus or not. And you have think, with the delay and judges scrambling to get out of the way, maybe - just maybe! - charges are coming... But who knows? I sure don't.  

Barkus BAC results ready! But delayed...

by: Jay Stevens

Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:29:13 AM MST

The forensic analysis of state Sen. Greg Barkus' blood samples was completed Wednesday by an out-of-state lab and should arrive in Flathead County by the end of this week, said Judy Beck, a spokeswoman for the state Attorney General's Office....

The lab, National Medical Services, sent the findings back to Missoula for an administrative review, Beck said, and the results were then postmarked in certified mail and sent to the Flathead County sheriff and county attorney.

Apparently they're shipping out the results by Pony Express.

There's this thing, this device, that's probably right at your elbow - or, if you've got one of the new-fangled kind, right in your pocket! - and it's called a "telephone"...

And expect on Friday to hear that the Flathead authorities need to wait until their official test-results reader is back from vacation, which will be Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, before they can open the envelope. That is, if the results aren't thrown out for being "overly partisan."

"A veil of secrecy..."

by: Jay Stevens

Wed Sep 16, 2009 at 05:55:05 AM MST

Now it's going to be even longer before the public finds out more details, because District Judge Katherine Curtis reportedly has sealed all information in the case and told the sheriff and chief prosecutor to stop talking.

Why?

This is the kind of case that people want to know about. Cloaking it in a veil of secrecy only creates an environment in which rumors and charges of cover-up can flourish.

Gag order update

by: Jay Stevens

Tue Sep 15, 2009 at 20:32:58 PM MST

According to Curtis, the gag order pertains only to Barkus' medical records, specifically his BAC.

But still...why is Flathead Country Attorney Ed Corrigan claiming he can't talk about the case at all? And is the gag order may not be constitutional. And who requested the gag order? Everybody's pointing fingers at high-placed "friends" of Barkus, but it could be an insurance company, too.

I'll be curious to see how this all plays out...

Gag order issued on Flathead Lake Boat Crash

by: Jay Stevens

Tue Sep 15, 2009 at 06:16:06 AM MST

A Flathead County judge has ordered the county sheriff and county prosecutor to stop talking about the investigation into state Sen. Greg Barkus.

Barkus was operating the boat that crashed on Flathead Lake on Aug. 27, injuring all five on board, including U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg.

County Attorney Ed Corrigan has said investigators were looking into drinking by Barkus that night.

Monday, Corrigan told KCFW-TV that he could no longer discuss the investigation. The District Court administrator says all information in the case is sealed by order of Judge Katherine Curtis unless or until any charges are filed against Barkus.

Barkus' attorney, Todd Glazier, says he doesn't know anything about the order.

Why issue a gag order -- when Barkus' own attorney never asked for one? Typically, gag orders are issue to avoid corrupting a potential juror pool -- but Judge Curtis said the case would be unsealed if charges are filed. Gag orders are also issued to protect confidential or classified information -- but does anyone here think that, somehow, the boat crash was a matter of national security?

Pogie:

I have to wonder whether Judge Katherine Curtis routinely issues gag orders for every criminal investigation in Flathead County, especially without the attorney for the investigative target asking for one...

Wulfgar!:

Judge Curtis has issued a gag-order about the case.  No reporting; no public view; no honesty.  This didn't even come from Barkus's lawyer; that dipstick knew nothing about it.  But I'll bet that Rehberg's lawyer knew about it.  Anybody in authority want to check a phone record or two?  This is about covering Barkus's ass, nothing more and nothing less.  Rehberg's Mini-Me laid the ground work with his strong defense knowing full well that they all would be obligated to defending Barkus such that Denny wouldn't look more like the tool he is.  And thanks to Curtis, that's exactly what they are going to get.

So Greg Barkus gets preferential treatment from the court system. Look, if you want to avoid accusations of cover-ups, don't cover up the case.

And where's the outrage now about "activist judges"?

Bob Brigham asks questions

by: Jay Stevens

Mon Sep 07, 2009 at 20:37:32 PM MST

Intriguing, eh? Either Frost and Smith were on the clock and deserve workman's comp - and Rehberg's in a mess o' trouble - or else they just got on a boat with a drunk and are going to be paying a lot out-of-pocket for medical expenses and future increased premiums. (And Frost's on the hook for 25 percent of all his medical costs.)

The answer to this question will tell us a lot about how much Dennis Rehberg was responsible for Frost and Smith getting on a boat with Greg Barkus, who had been drinking...

Update: Dustin Frost has regained consciousness! Great news...

Barkus was drinking

by: Jay Stevens

Fri Sep 04, 2009 at 10:12:27 AM MST

The Flathead County attorney says state Sen. Greg Barkus was drinking the night of the boat crash that severely injured U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg and three other passengers.

Authorities are awaiting results of blood tests from the state crime lab, and delivery of Barkus' medical records before determining whether to file charges. County Attorney Ed Corrigan has said he is weighing felony charges.

I expect -- and hope -- that, if the authorities find Barkus' BAC exceeded the legal limit at the time of the crash, he will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

You know, I wouldn't be surprised if everybody on that boat were drunk. That's the nature of political events. There's usually a good deal of drinking going on.

That said, you've got to wonder why there was no viable plan to cross the lake that didn't involved a boozed-up boat driver. It's one thing to climb into a boat with a drunk driver on your own time; it's another altogether to bring along people that work for you while you're on a work errand.

Felony charges for Barkus?

by: Jay Stevens

Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 16:06:54 PM MST

Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan also says he is awaiting results of a test for Barkus's blood-alcohol level from the state crime lab in Missoula. Corrigan has said that he is weighing felony charges in the case.

(H/t John Adams.)

Old Man and Lake

by: Jay Stevens

Wed Sep 02, 2009 at 12:00:37 PM MST

A must-read post for the curious (wth shades of MacLean's obsessive detail in "Young Men and Fire"!). Here's an excerpt:

The end of astronomical twilight was still 20 minutes away when Barkus pointed his boat northeast and advanced the throttle. As the U.S. Naval Observatory notes, "...for a considerable interval...before the end of evening [astronomical] twilight, sky illumination is so faint that it is practically imperceptible." To the northwest, various objects would be faintly silhouetted against the residual light, but the lake's eastern shore was much darker. Light from the moon may have provided some help, and there may have been a moon streak on the water that commanded the attention of some on board. Full dark adaptation of the human eye requires 20-30 minutes; longer if exposed to bright light while adapting.

If identified correctly, lights on shore - the dock lights at Wayfarers, or at Flathead Lake Lodge to the south - could have provided a heading that skirted the waterfowl production area. But at night, entering a route into a GPS device, and sticking to that route, all the while keeping a sharp watch for other boat traffic, etc., is the safest course of action. Judging distance over the water at night is difficult because a point of light can remain a point of light until you're virtually upon it. A calm sea can make matters worse, as there is no white foam from waves breaking against the shore or docks.

On the Flathead Lake boat crash

by: Jay Stevens

Tue Sep 01, 2009 at 19:13:24 PM MST

And because whatever I would say about the crash on this site or the b'birds would be perceived as a political attack on Rehberg, I've avoided saying much of anything, outside of a few Tweets.

But things got a little weird. So here I am.

First shout-down goes to Erik Iverson who has, since day one, been running flak and treating this like a political story. Brushing aside Rehberg's BAC, seeing him quoted by the paper repeatedly minimizing Frost's condition screams "no class." Nothing to see here. The injury is "survivable." Worse yet, Iverson's first comments (can't find link now) implied Dustin was going to be fine because he was young. There's spin for you. I'm guessing right now that no one wants Dustin's condition to be fodder for any political attacks on Rehberg. And that's fine. But just say it, man, just say it. We're all worried as hell, but optimistic. (But kudos to Iverson for being upfront and open about Rehberg's condition, his BAC, the background for the incident, etc & co.)

Second, where's Greg Barkus? According to this Flathead Beacon report, his wife said he's in intensive care, as of yesterday. Is he okay? Again, I know I have no right to know - but it seems odd that no one's talking about the injuries sustained. It smells like someone's playing "cleaner" here. Again, these are real people in crisis. Our first reaction should be to express genuine concern. Let us do so. Get better, Greg.

Third, as John Adams noted, the authorities involved are acting odd. While Rehberg's BAC was known pretty quickly, Barkus' - the boat's driver - has been a mystery. Turns out, the authorities don't know it, either, and are just now getting around to subpoenaing the results. The boat wasn't searched until today. Don't count me among the conspiracy theorists, but this is not a smooth investigation. Did they not understand how much scrutiny this case was going to get?

Yesterday's report by John Adams on the incident was the most comprehensive yet, and it appears that slowly information is coming out. And none too soon. We just want to know...

Of all the comments and posts and news articles that have been written about the crash, I like Pete Talbot's the best:

...I'm having a tough time with the moral indignation associated with the accident. Possibly that's because I don't have an unblemished record for doing stupid things. Granted, elected officials should set a better example but they're only human.

Rehberg's stands on health care, war, the poor, the environment, taxes ... I find that much more abhorrent than his lapses in his private life.

And what bothers me even more is hypocrisy - you know, the 'family values' politician who's screwing anything that moves (not referring to Rehberg here).

Finally, as we both know, alcoholism is a disease. If alcohol abuse was one of the root causes of this accident, then maybe someone needs some help.

I hope there's a fair, timely investigation and all the facts come out but I'm certainly not going to cast the first stone, especially while people are recuperating in the hospital.

Well done, sir. And again...get well Dustin and Greg...thoughts and prayers go out to you and your loved ones.