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March 30, 2007
Senator Testor catches the DoJ's #3 man just making [censored] up
Daily Kos: Senator Testor catches the DoJ's #3 man just making [censored] up.
Posted by admin at 12:27 AM
March 29, 2007
Concealed Gun Bill Scares Montana Law Enforcement Officials
Concealed Gun Bill Scares Montana Law Enforcement Officials | Politics | New West Network
However, if the testimony from Three Forks resident Franklin Shook is any indication of those speaking out in favor of Wells’ bill, there are echoes of the 1990s when armed Freemen used similar rhetoric to incite hostility toward law enforcement officials.
Posted by admin at 03:30 PM
March 26, 2007
Majority against GOP tactics
n Would someone remind Reps. Sales, Lange and Sinrud that the governor of Montana is Brian Schweitzer and not Rep. Rick Jore. And, if eight budget bills are better than one "House Bill 2" budget bill, why didn’t Rep. Lange share this discovery with Montana voters and legislators last fall?
Posted by admin at 02:49 PM
March 21, 2007
The Head of the Freshman Class
The Head of the Freshman Class - Politico.com
The Workhorse: It must be that farmer's work ethic. Democrat Jon Tester of Montana sits on six committees, more than any other freshman. "I just couldn't say no," he said. "They all worked into Montana well." Energy. Indian affairs. Small business. Banking. Veterans affairs. Homeland security. How does he find time to fly back to his home state for those flat-top haircuts?
Posted by admin at 10:14 AM
March 19, 2007
New's and Letters
Dereg 10 Year Anniversary
"When we deregulated, we gave away our biggest economic development tool," Pancich said.
Quote from a Bozeman Daily Chronicle Letter:
Questions for GOP: ...
6) Will Montanans buy the primitive notion that the best way to solve the problem of violence in Montana is to take the law into your hands and ridicule anyone who happens to believe in letting law enforcement and the judicial system work? Even though history and research have shown that notion to be patently bogus? 7) Who is it that is so scared to live here in Montana without packing a gun? 8) Should we propose arming folks that are so paranoid they actually think you need to carry a gun here in Montana to be safe?
Billings Gazette Letters:
GOP lawmakers show their moral bankruptcy
I am ashamed as a Montanan, and I deeply resent all the pious moral sermons Republican leaders, like Scott Sales, have inflicted on us. They tell us how moral they are, how Christian they are, but with this vote, Republicans have proven their moral bankruptcy.
Progressive governor hindered by lawmakers
And that is what is going on now in the Legislature - gridlock. The middle-of-the-roaders, the people who don't really pay attention to voting records of these candidates, are always taking the easy way out and can now step up and take the lashes they deserve. But I don't.
Missoulian Letters
Montana's Republicans are all Constitution Party members now.
Republicans in the Montana House should take a moment to consider if their constituents would have voted for them if they had been on the ballot as members of Rick Jore's party.
Posted by admin at 07:20 AM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2007
What does Jack Wells have to say about the mailer?
After the Leaders of the GOP apologize about the trash that was sent against JP, and John Sinrud apologizing in comments here, What pray tell does Jack Wells have to say about it? It's his bill, did the state republicans send it in his name? Especially since they are being ripped by their own grassroots: On the other hand, those of us who write the checks and cast the votes are hardly without standing to say what we think about self-destructive stunts like Flier-gate. The state party may have just handed those three Dems their re-elections on a platter. Brilliant tactics, brilliant content, brilliant timing.
and other derision: Anybody who is fortunate enough to receive the state Republican Party e-mail alerts knows that the folks running the show at state headquarters are chronically shrill, smug, overwrought, unfair, crude, rude and-the fault that explains their other sins-infinitely impressed with what they imagine is their own cleverness.
...all we're hearing from Jack is the wind in the trees. Maybe it's ok with him to have gun nuts calling JP and ranting.
Updated: This is what Jack Wells had to say (BDC 3/14/07): Wells said in an interview that he disagreed with negative attack ads and has never used them. and
JP had a caller that said: "'You're dead wrong, and maybe you should be dead.'"
So... Jack Wells introduces a bill to brandish a handgun, the State Republican party uses this bill to attack Democrats which causes a death threat to JP. Doesn't JP deserve an apology from Jack Wells?
Posted by admin at 10:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 09, 2007
JP's reply to the Republican attack ad
On Tuesday, voters in Bozeman and Gallatin County received a mailing from the Republican Party. The oversized postcard showed a woman's corpse, hands bound, in a plastic bag. The caption read, "Is this your neighbor?" On the reverse of the piece, my picture, name, and cell phone number were given, along with an opinion of the vote I cast against House Bill 340.
House Bill 340 proposed to allow people to carry guns without a concealed weapons permit, to brandish a gun, to claim self-defense for any action, and to require prosecutors to delay filing charges for ten days for gun crimes if a defendant claims self-defense.
During testimony on the bill, law enforcement officials, including the Montana Police Protective Association, the Montana Association of Police Chiefs, Montana County Attorneys Association, and the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, as well as citizens of both political parties, opposed House Bill 340. Cascade County Attorney Brant Light said, "House Bill 340 would give criminals a license to commit homicide in Montana."
The right of self-defense is already well-established in Montana law. Article II, Section 12 of the Montana Constitution states that, "The right of any person to keep or bear arms in defense of his home, person, and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall not be called into question, but nothing herein contained shall be held to permit the carrying of concealed weapons." HB340 would have contradicted our own constitution. Additionally, self-defense is established as a natural right in Montana law. I completely support and defend a person's right to self-defense, and I was careful to check that our rights of self-defense would not be restricted by this bill. I cast my vote against HB340 because we as citizens should not be affronted by people with guns. We need the security of knowing that law enforcement can keep our communities safe. We should not be fearful that basic frustrations of everyday life will turn into gun crimes, and that those responsible for gun violence could not be held to their actions by claims of self-defense.
I am a gun owner, and a responsible citizen. The mailer that casts me as opposed to self-defense is wrong and distorts my values as a Montanan, a gun owner, and a citizen. This negative attack in the middle of a legislative session is unprecedented and creates bad blood at a time when bipartisan work is needed to govern.
I am most upset that such graphic and disturbing imagery and such a misleading message was mailed to my constituents. I respect and honor my friends and neighbors in House District 63, no matter what political belief anyone holds. No one deserved to receive such an appalling mailer, nor did I deserve to be so grossly misrepresented.
During the House of Representatives floor session Tuesday, Republican House leaders publicly apologized for the mailer. I appreciate their statement very much, but those in the Republican Party responsible for sending the mailer did a grave disservice to voters in my district and across Montana.
I am honored every day to craft good state law in our legislature and to represent the people of my district and of the state of Montana. Voting on legislation to protect my constituency is my duty, and I'm pleased to cast votes to give greater protections to all of us.
Do not believe the distorted negative attacks. They do not represent me, nor do they represent your interests.
JP Pomnichowski
Montana State Representative
House District 63, Bozeman/Gallatin County
Posted by admin at 08:26 AM | Comments (0)
March 08, 2007
Republican Attack ad
Posted by admin at 07:39 PM | Comments (0)
Republican Attack ad
Posted by admin at 07:38 PM | Comments (0)
Governor Brian Schweitzer on Charlie Rose
Charlie Rose - Gov. Brian Schweitzer / Martha Raddatz - Google Video
Posted by admin at 01:27 PM
What would Francis Bardanouve think about the six-pack?
The Clark Fork Chronicle - What would Francis Bardanouve think about the six-pack?
Some long term perspective on the six pack:
Sen. Jim Elliott (D-Trout Creek) called it "the stupidest, most irresponsible thing I've ever seen in the legislature, except for deregulation."
Posted by admin at 01:08 PM
March 06, 2007
Mansfield Metcalf Dinner information
Montana's on the Move
Special Guests
Senator Max Baucus
Governor Brian Schweitzer
Senator Jon Tester
and
Keynote Speaker
The Honorable John Hickenlooper, Mayor of Denver
Don't miss out, purchase your tickets online today!
Tickets are $50 a person in advance, $75 at the door
Chairman's Council Memberships are $500 or $42 a month
and include 2 dinner tickets and 2 pre-dinner reception tickets.
For information about sponsorship opportunities or to purchase or reserve your tickets over the phone please call Lauren at
(406) 442-9520
This is one weekend you won't want to miss:
Friday, March 9
6-10PM Montana Democratic Party Open House Reception
303 N. Ewing Street, Helena
Saturday, March 10
9AM
Senator Jon Tester Helena Office Open House
Capitol One Building
208 N. Montana Suite 202
Helena
10AM-1PM
2007 Mansfield-Metcalf Workshops
10:00-10:30am
Update from Legislature
Health Care
10:30-11:30am
Building Stronger Organizations
Public Lands
11:00-11:30am
Labor
Communicating the Democratic Message
11:30-Noon
BREAK
12:00-12:30pm
Native American Issues
Economic Development
12:30-1:00pm
Education
Montana’s #1 Industry: Agriculture
Expert Panelists Include:
Hal Harper
Jim Farrell
Jan Lombardi
Evan Barrett
Melodee Hanes
Erin McGowan
Jason Miller
Anna Whiting Sorrell
Linda McCulloch
Dennis McDonald
Mike Volesky
Sandi Curriero Luckey
Jacquie Helt
Nancy Anderson
Cindy Palmer
Jim Messina
Dave Wanzenried
Barrett Kaiser
and more!
If you wish to attend any workshops, please join us Saturday at AFL-CIO headquarters in Helena (810 Hialeah Court). Call Chris with any questions at 442-9520.
1PM
Montana Indian Democrats meeting
AFL-CIO headquarters
810 Hialeah Court
5PM Doors open
Mansfield Metcalf Dinner 2007
Helena Civic Center, 340 Neill Ave, Helena
5:30-6:30 PM
Cocktail Reception featuring our Democratic Legislators for all dinner attendees
6:30 PM
Mansfield Metcalf Dinner begins!
After the event, don't miss the Late Night with the Big Sky Democrats at Miller's Crossing
52 S. Park Ave, Helena
Click here to buy your tickets online today!
Posted by admin at 02:53 PM | Comments (0)