Hard to believe 2011 is almost over. As a way to celebrate the past year, the Cowgirl Blog is counting down the Top Ten Cowgirl Stories of 2011. Pasted below are #8 through #4.  Coming up next will be top posts from other blogs and as well as the top three stories.   Consider this an open thread.

# 8  Montana Republican Says Drunkenness is “Way of Life”; Opposes DUI Laws

# 7 Montana GOP Hopeful Might Have Mermaid Fetish

# 6 Schweitzer Burns GOP with Red-Hot Cattle Iron

# 5 The Bridges of Madison County (and a Tea Party Imbecile)

# 4 Analysis: GOP’s “Get Your Women’s Health Care at Walgreens” Strategy Backfires