Posted: January 7, 2012 at 5:03 pm
The Assman Raiseth
Steve Bullock blew Rick Hill out of the water this fundraising period, raising almost twice what Hill raised, the Billings Gazette reports this week. That doesn’t surprise me, because Hill has baggage and GOP activists and donors have steadily been learning about it.
But the juicy part about the just-released fundraising numbers is that Hill got beat by Jeff Essmann, aka the Assman, a moniker that refers both to his physical situation and also the smell of his foul legislation, which resembles ass.
Perhaps Essmann’s impressive money victory means that the rumors about Dennis Rehberg supporting Essmann are true.
At any rate, Bullock raised double what Essmann and Hill were able to bring in ($171k as opposed to $85 and $82k, respectively) leaving the entire GOP field in his dust. Neil Livingstone is once again bankrupt, and the other dwarves have no money either.
In other fundraising news, Pam Bucy and Jesse Laslovich are neck and neck in the money game.
Denise Juneau meanwhile had a very strong quarter and is inviting little in the way of a serious challenge. In the Secretary of State race, Brad Johnson, who is trying to reclaim his lost seat, raised around $4,000 and spent $2,000 (on whiskey, perhaps), and Scott Aspenlieder did better than Johnson but he too fell short of matching what Linda McCulloch raised. Derek Skees came in at a sad $2,000.
Rehberg’s Billings office has long been located in a building Essman inherited from his Daddy.
Good one… Essman has good timing and little more… His emergence on the scene sits in sinc with the rise of the tea party… They are all a flash in the pan… Now that Bachman has fallen from presidential grace, where is Denny? After all, he hitched his wagon to her resister caucus star in 2010… What happened tongued pipe dream?
Laslovich is evidently a republican. His report lists every GOP corporate lobyist in Montana and tons of insurance executives from companies that Laslovich regulates. And GOP operative/lobbyists like EJ Redding, lobbyists who controlled the Capitol during the Martz era but have thankfully been banished from the Capitol during the Schweitzer/Bullock era. As a progressive who has taken heat from Jessie for blogging about some of his pro-life votes, I must once again raise doubts about his candidacy.
There is a lot of special interest money flowing toward Montana Attorney General Primary Candidate, Jesse Laslovich, much of which is very atypical of a Democratic candidate, especially in a primary. None of Laslovich’s special interest money is more curious than that coming from Benefis Healthcare CEO, John Goodnow, and many of his executives and employees.
Is it because Laslovich, as the Chief Legal Counsel of the Montana State Auditor’s office, has rarely challenged the double-digit increases in health care costs that Benefis hoists onto Montana consumers on an annual basis? Probably not.
There is much more to the story.
To learn more, one must harken back to the 2007 Montana State Legislature and a bill called SB 323, designed to limit duration of certificate of public advantage (COPA) in Montana. This bill was sponsored by then Montana Senator Jesse Laslovich at the request of Benefis Healthcare. This legislation came to be known as the Benefis “Bailout” Bill.
Benefis was operating under a COPA given their monopoly of hospital and healthcare services in Great Falls. In an effort to improve their bond rating and possibly to allow them to increase their charges more freely, Benefis tried to get the COPA removed. Then Montana Attorney General, Mike McGrath, denied the request. Not to be disuaded from their cause, Benefis turned to Senator Laslovich to sponsor a SB323, which put an automatic sunset on COPAs without any oversight. The bill passed.
On January 5, 2012, Montana Attorney General Democratic Primary Candidate, Jesse Laslovich, filed his campaign’s financial disclosure forms, detailing a massive influx of Benefis money, including $3,235 from more than 20 Benefis Healthcare employees, including Benefis CEO, John Goodnow and Benefis CFO, Laura Goldhaun.
Despite his special interest money advantage and the somewhat questionable appearance of a Quid-Pro-Quo for Benefis corporate support, Laslovich was outraised by his more experienced and progressive opponent, Pam Bucy, whose recent campaign finance report reads like a Who’s Who of Montana’s progressive, legal, labor and environmental community leaders.
Laslovich is openly fundraising from the Repubs as the “more conservative” candidate. The R’s know that Shockley is dead in the water, so they’re going with the next best thing. Puke.
To go from an AG who is leading the fight on Citizens United, to one who actively panders to corporate interests would be a tragedy indeed.
Steve —
Did you see that he has executives from Debt Collection companies as major Donors? Having trouble making sense of that and his claim that he wants to protect consumers? Most Montanans will hopefully understand that he’s willing to say and do whatever it takes to try to win.
Good point about what a huge step backward Laslovich would be from Bullock.
EJ Redding is employed by 47 North Communications, you know, the guys who run Jeff Essmann’s gubernatorial campaign. You know, the firm of Eaton and Frost? Redding is their “Government Affairs” guy.
It just is sad that we would have a democrat funded by debt collectors when we have a current AG who campaigned against the payday lending industry.
Could you be more obviously a troll trying to manipulate Google hits?
Maybe Steve Daines has a job for you.
I see you’ve raised your quota for fake comments at the beginning of a comment thread from 2 to 3.
Things are really picking up around here! It must be an election season.
So speaks the man with the most fake Comment!
Jealousy is a terrible thing to waste! As proved by anyone named Buttinski!
Hi Larry!
I’d like to congratulate you for being the only other real commenter in this thread. You’re doing yeoman’s work.
Well then, HELP ME OUT, Steve! I could use it. Do you really have nothing to add other than criticizing the blog? For you see, that sucks.
Nah, doesn’t suck at all.
Looks sort of like a Baucus fundraising report.
Laslovich has clearly figured out how to raise easy money–by getting it from the industries he is supposed to be regulating at the Auditor’s office. If that’s the kind of Attorney General you think will do the right thing, you know how to vote…
Wonder how much is from Mitt
http://news.salon.com/2012/01/07/35_romney_endorsers_received_contributions_first/
I wonder if General Skees spent his whole $2000.00 on that awesome commercial. Hopefully they threw some magic beans in with it.
Major funding for laslovich from the mining industry makes me concerned about Jesse’s intentions on the State Land Board … I wonder if he knows the land board seat comes with the job…
You do realize that Jesse is from Anaconda?
Look at all the legislators and former legislators from the Butte, Anaconda, Deerlodge, Dillon area. Plus if you are so worried about Jesse “intentions” with the state land board look at his voting history. I am sure there were plenty of mining vs. enviros bills over Jesse’s tenure.
Time for Butte, America to joing the rest of Montana! Guess we don’t all want to live next to a Berkley Pit! Butte area politicians are notorious for their anti-enviro stances. They are worse than the Pubbies! That is a very legitimate concern for a lot of folks, me included. But hey, when they get the pit cleaned up and the aquifer restored, by GOD I’ll be the first to recommend an Butte area politico to the land board! The glory days AIN’T so glorious any more! Sure, the pit provided lots of jobs for lots of folks way back when, but them days are gone with the buffalo! Now, all we got left are buffalo chips!
Agreed-if we can hold Rehberg accountable for his ties to the mining industry we can certainly do the same for the members of our own party.
Rather small minded, but I understand your point. What were the Butte legislators grades with the MCV. I think most of them had a C or higher, but it has been awhile since I looked. Also remember that most of the “anti-enviro” stances are actually pro union stances.
pick your poison carefully.
Small minded?? I keep my points small so that guys like you can understand them, greggy! You’re kinda new to Montana, aren’t you? Where you from? Done a lotta mining, have you?
Not a lot of mining but I used to be a MT labor organizer for the AFLCIO. And I stand corrected, your immediate assumption that I must not be from Montana because I am not an environmental ranger was not small minded of you at all.
Reclamation is often mining, too. The best time to do it is when metals prices are high.
I’m out of town. Do you see progress or good news out there, bro?
I actually live in Lewistown, but the last few times i have been through Butte i have been very impressed with the Silver Bow Creek reclamation, and the extensive walking paths through town and the surrounding area.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/249370/montana_faces_eternal_cleanup_of_toxic_lake/
Don’t confuse greg with facts. He’s in the UNION! Well HELL, maybe he can come on UP to good ol’ Great Falls and pony up the eight million or so to city lost on its bizarre coal fired electric plant scandal! Ollie Stimac and the union boys was all FOR it! But now, it’s in bankruptcy! And SOMEbody’s gonna have to pay! And we citizens of GF are ONLY gonna be eight million dollars the poorer! Thanks a LOT, greggy!
Sometimes, unions are dumber than dog shit! And I say that as a life long union member.
Economic develoment MUST make economic sense! If we are to turn Montana into a giant shithole sacrifice for China, I say to HELL with that and anybody dumb enough to advocate for that!
Look, I understand the Laslovich mindset very well, for it is my own. Although there is no -ich on the end of my name, it’s as -ichy as any. ALL miners, from greatdgranddad, granddad, to dad. And Catholic as hell too. And THAT is why I can’t vote for Laslovich. I know EXACTLY where he’s coming from. And that is NOT what Montana needs right now. We need folks with vision, NOT folks looking behind! Vision is out front. Your BEEhind’s behind!
That’s why I’m endorsing Pam Bucy. HEY, we it’s a new day in Montana. I-137 proved that. Let’s run with it, and AWAY from the rape and ruin days!
‘Sides, I think Uncle Mao can do just fine without tearin’ up the entire eastern third of Montana!
“Sometimes, unions are dumber than dog shit!”
The same can be said for environmental rangers. Without Butte and Anaconda’s support no democrat wins a statewide seat, just ask the Gov. Or ask Steve Bullock, he knows Butte has to turn out at the polls if he has any chance.
I cant help but see the similarities between the hard core progressives and the tea party. Both are equally as extreme and uncompromising. And both are bad for Montana.
HEY, greggy’s seen some recleMATION down there! Here it is!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRmQFiI89Qo
Thanks guys Ive been on the fence on the Laslovich vs Bucy race, Im still on the fence but thanks for the information, also I was on the fence on the governors race till I think it was last week then Bullock got the victory in the campaign funding court case that got Citizens United out of state politics. After that I became a Bullock supporter to the nth degree. Right now if the election was today I would say that Bucy would get my vote over Laslovich because I think Bucy has more law enforcment experience. Thats just my take on it. But I do think you are forgeting an important race, the open congressional seat, open seats are open opportunities. And with Tester sending Rehberg back to the subdivison we got an opportunity to win the congressional seat.
Again, you people are chomping at the bit to eat your own over Mr. Laslovich accepting the support of JOB CREATORS while you turn a blind to Bucy’s donations from labor leeches on the state economy–Big Unions.
Sorry but, Mining hasn’t offered more jobs for the last two Quarters, and probably wont be adding any jobs in the future, because they refuse to deal with past safety violations to the point that most of the commercial mines have to clean and then pay up before continuing! And if you think that’s killing jobs… remember the poor miner who died in Nye Montana Last Month because of the gross negligence of the Mine Co!
Mr Laslovich and the GOP are willing to look the other way, and kill people to mine?
Yeah, I would gladly slap around someone in my party that is willing to make money for a company, while middle class Americans die trying to raise a family working for it! EPA rules not only protect the Americans who work for a living they protect the earth they mine from! I want someone in office that makes sure the workers get home safely everyday while the company makes money… I want to make sure Communities breath clean air and drink safe water…. Co. Officials and Owners shouldn’t be not sitting on a majority of profits without reinvesting in better technology and safer working conditions! especially when evidence proves this is the best way to keep a company healthy as well! But the GOP have now decided that figuring in deaths and accidents is somehow better then reinvesting in newer equipment! Less paperwork and time to work with one company(Insurance), then to work with safety companies, labor unions, and communities! easier to pay an Insurance claim… less lawyer fees as well!
Dead employees and poisoned water are now considered a viable risk?
These Company’s still are running a terrific profit, if they implemented safety precautions, but they are waiting for Rehberg to tear apart EPA rules so they can continue to kill workers and poison the land without paying for any future damage done, and make even more $$!
Taking away any liability is what the GOP like Denny Rehberg promises to do for companies so they can make more money… It is a sickness for greenbacks, not job creation!
Sorry to my real Dem friends but I am voting Bucy! The Big L has to be pared away from a better crop of up and coming progressives! The state already has two superfund cleanup areas, and more teetering in that direction everyday! we do not need to make the state sicker then it is already getting to be!
Mr Laslovich has already proven that environment and safety for others is a second solution for the state! He made his bed with some horrible GOPers, and he can sleep in it!
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AsxsH46Fx4UFHX65vpzZx2ObvZx4?p=npl+status&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-701
rather:http://www.epa.gov/region8/superfund/mt/index.html
I’m in agreement. Garnering support from the 1 percent rather than from the 99 does not translate to “broader support”
Having a wider base of campaign donors does show broader support, and even if we don’t like it, the candidate that is viewed more moderate will have a better chance of picking up independents and winning the general. In my opinion Jesse is the better statewide candidate. I’m not trying to argue or be abrasive in any way, I’m just adding my thoughts to the discussion.
I have looked at Jesse’s campaign finance report and it is not nearly as conspicuous as it is portrayed on this site. Why waste time cutting a fellow dem down just because you don’t think he is progressive enough, it exemplifies the problem with the dem party. I really enjoy this website except when it is used for evil instead of good.
Legislators have always been more likely to endorse a fellow legislator than someone outside. Recall that in 2008, Holly Raser got the most legislative endorsements for Superintendent of Public Instruction, yet Denise Juneau walked away with the primary by a wide margin. Denise Juneau is a great progressive who I am proud to support. I am proud of all of our parties progressives. Look where Max Baucus got us…
Very short sighted to think Baucus has not helped Montana. He has done a lot for Montana and your willingness to discredit all his service because on some issues you don’t think he is democrat enough. With that attitude we might as well just hand the state to the republicans. The progressive politics on display here are as divisive to Democrats as the tea party is too republicans.
The Gov would not qualify as progressive under this site’s standards. He is far closer to a Butte Democrat than a Missoula Democrat.
Don’t forget we live in Montana. Although you might like the candidate you consider to be more progressive they might not be the most electable democrat. And painting Bucy as the ideal progressive does not help her win the general. I know Jesse personally and he strives to do what is right, whether you agree with it our not and that seems like a good quality for AG. But it is a waste of time to bash Jesse, if he wins the primary we need him to win the general. I think we should be happy that we have two great candidates. And I would hate to see the primary create enough hard feelings that democrats will not unite behind the primary winner.
From the outside it does not look good for Bucy, her own Helena legislators have split their support and Jesse has all the legislative support from Butte, Anaconda, Deerlodge (and likely their voters). Not that legislative endorsements are important but if it in any way reflects the general population and Helena is even a little undecided on Bucy she will have an uphill battle and her whole race will depend on Missoula/Bozeman. Pam has been very vocal about her support of repealing MMJ and that hurts her in Missoula. She might want to become more MMJ friendly between now and June.
Ilikewoods, I enjoy your tweets and your blog but it appears by your use of “real dem” that you think the organized labor arm of the democrat party is not as valid as the MCV arm of the party. You basically discredit all the hardcore democrats in Butte/Anaconda. We need everybody to win back a majority and hold onto our statewide offices. Now does not seem like the year to fight about who is more democrat.
Sorry ilikewoods i just reread your post and I may have misinterpreted you comment.
Yes you did, and you have misinterpreted! I am for Labor in a big way, companies wouldn’t exist without Good labor! But Good labor can always exist without companies!
I caution fellow Democrats to restrict our discussion of the attorney general race as anything other than the electability of the candidates.
Republican commenters: en garde.
It’s sad to see dems having a fight over who is the most liberal with so much at stake after 2010. I get the feeling from cowgirls fake posts that she wanted to write the story but instead decided to hide behind fake commentor posts. I also get the feeling that Bucy fans are so mean spirited that when Jesse wins the primary they will cheer for shockely. Sad. I am not impressed with the cowardly, spiteful and disingenuous Bucy campaign.
You are on notice: Bucy has the smarts while Laslovich has the general election chops.
Back off.
What do you mean back off? Its common knowledge that Bucy is running a very snide, negative campaign. It’s exlempified by this website. I have lost a lot of respect for Pam, cowgirls and NARAL in this last year.
Your writing style is similar to the ‘Drill’ troll. Cowgirl might be interested to know that you are using the same IP address for two names.
It would be easy enough fo cowgirl to see. Nbut unfortunately I am not the troll you want me to be. Although It is a good tactic to try and discredit my comments by associating me with a known troll.
People who use their real names live longer in the blogosphere. If you want to be heard as anything but a problem, use yours.
I agree with larry. I also wish that if someone is going to say they are here only defend laslovich, they would actually defend his actions on the merits, rather than spin conspiracy theories that they have no evidence to back up. Let’s hear the defense for his taking this kind of money. I’m listening.
Steve,
There is nothing to defend about Jesse’s fundraising. I’m defending Jesse from spin conspiracy theories backed with no evidence. Look at other dem campaign reports across the state and you will see many f the same names. The fact that Jesse has a broader base of support than Pam does not surprise me. And it actually reinforces why Jesse is the better candidatento win more than a primary.
So the campaign stands by its funders — that’s enough for me. Or is the defense that other candidates took money from Jeff Essmann s campaign team too. Just checking.
The defense is that Jesse is trying to win a state wide and he clearly has a far bigger base of support which makes him more electable in the general. But please keep posting I love arguing with cowgirls fake accounts.
I have reasons far better than Internet trolling to remain anonymous. If that means Larry Kurtz will not think my point is valid. So be it. Besides if I made up a name like Jim Renolds how would that make my comment any more valid?
The black helicopters are really circling now! Watch out folks. Here we go!
Whomever you are, you are sorely mistaken. If you can’t defend your man on the merits and instead attack your critics then thats really telling. if this is what we can expect as citizens and prospective voters then I am appalled.
?
Not only are you a troll your not a Dem MFER!
Then support Jesse, shut the fuck up and move on.
I guess slanderng Jesse with half truths and fake posts is acceptable but mentioning some obvious shortcomings in the Bucy campaign earns a “shut the fuck up.”. What a great group of dems on this thread.
I’m on the record as supporting Laslovich but I won’t let someone with obvious nefarious intent using a pseudonym and purporting to be a Montana Democrat go without my virtual crawling up your rectum with a microscope.
Take a close look while you are up there. I have no nefarious intent. My only intent was to defend Jesse from the nefarious actions of cowgirl. And since I know the cowgirls and pam Bucy I know they have conspired to use this site to slander Jesse.
I have every confidence that Cowgirl will find the time to do a series of posts bringing Jesse’s assets to the stage as we move forward through the cycle.
I have very confidence it will be biased as ever.
Pick another name and move on.
Got it. Is Ima Reelpersin too obvious?
Is this settled yet?
Steve Simpson
The trumped up fake outrage about who donated to Laslovich is not an argument ‘on the merits’ of anything to begin with. All it shows is that the republican candidate is dead in the water, Laslovich is probably more moderate than Bucy and probably going to be the one these guys would choose between the two even if they have to do it holding their nose. Seems to show a little desperation on the Bucy campaign to be going negative like this..they must think she is a longshot.
Earth to Steve.hello!?anybody home? The reason the conservatives are donating to Laslovich is not because he is a more conservative or “moderate”–it’s because he was chief lobbyist for Obamacare in the Montana Legislature. If he wins the nomination the attack ads write themselves. And Shockley’s replacement –Tim Fox — walks away with it.
Regardless of whether they paint Laslovich as “chief lobbyist for Obamacare in the Montana Legislature”, Tim Fox will not win. He is far too wingnut for a LOT of conservatives – myself included. Not sure where the moderate vote will go but it seems to me likely that Laslovich is likely to take it. The office of the Attorney General is not an office you want a far right or far left candidate. The law is suppose to be based on LAW, not politics. Personally, I think it is somewhat insane to politicize that office.
Agreed–We should have Bullock appoint the AG when he becomes Gov. Otherwise it becomes too open to interest peddling -as the reports already show.
I think the Dems could nominate the corpse of Bob Kelleher and still beat Fox or Shockley.
I’ve tried to make this point before, I think unsuccessfully. I really didn’t know enough about either Pam Bucy or Jesse Laslovich before this campaign started and I have people I respect working for and supporting both candidates.
Only one candidate, though, seems to have an army of anonymous trolls that come out on blog posts and news stories to slander another Democrat with really shady claims and unfounded accusations. I don’t know that Pam’s campaign is behind it, but I do know that these “supporters” of her campaign are doing an enormous disservice, both to their candidate and to another Democrat.
This is at least the third time this has happened–already.
If anyone really believes that those first six comments are real, I have some Gingrich campaign manuals to sell them.
Shameful.
Cheers.
The notion that someone is a “troll” who is “manipulating google” because you disagree with them is disturbing. I respect Pogie and would be interested to read if he had a defense of Laslovich’s donations. But he didn’t post one. Greg Anderson is the only one with substantive comments addressing the concerns. He writes that the donations show Jesse’s support is broader and that makes him more electable. While my personal view is that this broader support comes from people whose values contrast with those held by democrats, at least this guy didn’t come on attacking others and actually addressed the facts which are the donations. Cheers to you buddy even though we may disagree. -Paul
Was Laslovich supposed to refuse or return the money because it came from individuals who work in industries that progressives or democrats generally dislike? Does this ever happen in Montana that a candidate in a tight race refuses money from an individual? Honest question.
As to you Paul.
OK, OK. Let’s hold all the righteeeous indignation talk blasting those who have some concerns about a Butte politico on the Land Board, shall we? You see, we come by our skepticism HONESTLY! It is INDEED a legitimate concern based upon history. RECENT history!
Never have the citizens of this state worked so hard or so long against overwhelming odds on an initiative to stop the horrific abuses against our land and water like we did on I-137. And somehow, after many attempts, we won! Yes, we won, but ONLY to be immediately challenged in the legislature by, you guessed it, BUTTE Dem politicians!
Debbie Shea, along with her Republican cohort, Swysgood, IMMEDIATELY introduced three bills to undo the will of the Montana electorate! In other words, for the freakin’ FIRST time in Montana history, an initiative PASSED BY A MAJORITY OF THE ELECTORATE was going to be overturned by BUTTE politicians and their Pubbie pals in the legislature!
Why? How could this be? What was going on here? I ask, you decide. Just what the freakin’ HELL makes Butte politicians do what they do? I personally think that that is a very damn good question! And one that must be asked! And I think that ANYONE runnig for AG must be able to explain to the rest of the state just WHAT their positions are on environmental issues! Is that so wrong?
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not denigrating Butte. I think it’s a wonderful town with lots of history. But it is unique. The rest of Montana does NOT want a Berkely Pit on the Blackfoot River, or more accurately, LOTS of pits on the river as were planned. We don’t WANT more Zortman/Landuskys, etc. That is NOT our idea of sustainable economic development.
Once again, it’s time for leaders with vision. If their vision is of Montana as a sacrifice zone for the Chinese, well then, put that vision out there in the market place of ideas and be at least honest about it. But in the meantime, can we agree to change the state motto from Oro y Plata to Chinga tu Futuro?
Economic development must make economic sense. If you turn your state into a giant shithole for the Chinese, that makes NO economic sense. You may as well be texass north! Or north texass!
LK, How would the Upper Ten Mile and Boulder watersheds best be cleaned up? Should the feds buy out Rimini, Corbin, etc.?
That I don’t know, amigo. But I KNOW that the answer is NOT the Pubbie answer to eco problems. Remember the Pubbie answer to the Libby asbestos problem? They said that they would WELCOME W.R. Grace back because they were a “good corporate neighbor”! Insanity and evil are NOT good environmental policy! I mean, who in the freakin’ hell could SAY such a thing? But they did. Yes, they are not right in the head. Such folks cannot be allowed anywhere near public policy.
So Pam Bucy obviously must be opposed to any and all mining taking place in Montana. I’m sure that will go over well in the general election. Those attack ads just write themselves!
Which is about as absurd as arguing that Lasklovich wants to turn “all of Montana into a big shithole for the Chinese”. I’m wondering why these same partisans aren’t attacking Bullock or Schweitzer for their occasional support of natural resource industries? Thats convenient.
Holy COW, Louie! Did you actually FORGET already the drummers and dancers on Schweitzer’s table?? Indeed all politicians must answer the question. Do we or don’t we want to turn Montana into a giant shithole for the Chinese? The potential is there to turn one entire eastern third of Montana into a giant shithole by stripmining coal and building thirty-two coal fired plants larger than Colstrip. Do we want that? I dunno. I guess that we need to figure that one out.
But my guess is that MOST Montanans are beginning to realize that there are things more precious than a giant shithole for the Chinese. The intrinsic worth of clean water and a healthy environment is seen as MUCH more valuable. And protecting our farm and ranch land is vitally important too.
Again, polticos really should present us with a vision OTHER than the corporate approved one! Hell, we done been there and done that. Are we really desperate enough to do it again?
Larry I agree with what you’re saying. I don’t agree with the false premise that you’ve created (intentionally or not) that Laslovich is in favor of the extreme vision you have for eastern montana. Just like I don’t believe Bucy is in favor of banning all mining or resource extraction in Montana and turning it into a nature preserve for the yahoos who danced on Sweitzer’s desk. I think both candidates probably agree with another one of your statements: “Economic development must make economic sense”.
And I agree with you. ALL candidates must have the courage to express the vision for Montana. I personally think that if a candidate stated just what I said, they would find that they would be EXTREMELY popular. ie.
“Hi, I’m so and so running for governor, and I promise to NOT turn Montana into a giant shithole for the Chinese, but maintain our traditional agricultural way of life and to protect our clean water, air, and landscape as per our Constitution for a clean and healthful environment.”
But alas, no one is willing to do that.
I’ve also read this blog long enough to know that you didn’t back the long hairs dancing on the gov’s table Larry.
No, I disapproved of their tactic. Dancing! You see, my dancing days are over. There’s NOTHING uglier than an old dude with his four remaining hairs in a pony tail trying to dance on the guv’s table! Hell, I could throw a HIP out! But I was with them in spirit. I appreciated their concern, just not their tactic. The Keystone Kockh bros. pipeline epitomizes the corporate fascist control.
If you polled citizens who live in Eastern Montana I bet you would find a majority would welcome a coal fired plant as big as Colestrip.
At what cost?
Bullshit! Guess that’s why the proposed Tongue River RR is such a hit over there. Hard to give up good ranch land so some fatassed Chinaman can produce more crap to ship back over here! HEY, if you gotta shit in your nest to get a job, move to texass! They LIKE that sorta thing!
Your are talking about people that were enthusiastic to have the only horse slaughter plant in the US. I bet if a legislator from eastern MT showed up with legislation to help a coal project the size of colestrip he would be very popular with a majority of his voting constituents.
Most of our crops are grown on the east side, If I was a second generation Farmer and the corporations moved to town, I would be pushing them out…. because everything these people fought for to make the land grow will be down the shithole!
The plumes from coal fired plants like that would kill animals, leave Poisoning residue rendering wheat crops unedible! and all for the worst coal imaginable to to turn into fuel! The east side of Montana better wise up soon!
The funniest part of this thread (beside the facts it’s under a story about assman) is that Bullocks campaign finance report looks a lot like Jesse’s. Although I don’t expect cowgirl to report that.
Pogie is right: you’re an earth hater.
Pogie called me an earth hater? The earth does owe me a lot of money and it has said mean things about me in public, but I still don’t hate it. We just choose to agree to disagree on a few issues.
The Colstrip Generating Station has been implicated in elevated mercury levels in every watershed east of it. Expect lawsuits.
Here’s some progress for you, greggy. Enjoy.
http://www.willistonherald.com/news/dump-checks-for-radioactivity-loads-were-turned-away-since-last/article_ed15cf0a-3e07-11e1-bad0-001871e3ce6c.html?mode=image&photo=0
Greg brings up a good point that is being bypassed because people don’t like what he said elsewhere… EVERY politician running in a high profile position at the state level and EVERY politician (Democrat or Republican) running at the National level has donations from people that are less than palitable. If they are running in a tight or even not so tight race, they will take the money wherever it comes from. The key is to win. That does not make these politicians the “puppets” of this or that (insert your own personal boogieman). What makes them puppets of the people who donate money to them are their actions. If these politicians actually talk about the issues you are concerned about, by all means comment on it. But if these politicians simply take money – legally given, not like Conman Burns – to win the election, I think it somewhat jumping the shark to say that they want to burn down the state and sell it to the Chinese.
Um, Moorcat, here’s a leetle staTIStic for you. I know that you’re a numbers guy. The ENTIRE FREAKIN’ WESTERN THIRD of N. Dakota is to be fracked. Every square inch! Are you familiar with the effects of fracking? What the hell are people gonna drink when the fracking is done?! When the aquifers are destroyed! When the drinking water is too toxic to drink?
And this is happening in Montana as we speak! And did you know that Cheney did INDEED have thirty-two coal plants plotted for eastern Montana, which I assume are still on the books?! Remember the energy policy made BEHIND closed doors?
We are facing environmental despoilment on an unprecedented scale! Degradation that will not only destroy our landscape and way of life, but could quite possibly make further human habitation in these areas impossible! Real convenient for further “development”, right?
And for what? You DO realize, don’t you, that all the proposed coal mining is to be shipped to China, don’t you? For their coal plants? I think it’s fair to say that the corporate fascists do INDEED desire to turn Montana into a giant shithole for China. That is NOT an exaggeration by any means. And where do you think the tar sands of Canada is headed? A Chinese corporation is a sponsor too! Among others!
Now, who’s for it? Not me. I happen to think that Montana is for Montanans, and to HELL with the Chinese!
Google, grasshopper, google! Goggle tar sands and China and see what you get. Then, underSTAND that all the Otter Creek coal is headed for China also. Hence, my question. Do we REALLY want to turn our beautiful state into a shithole for the Chinese so that a few corporate shitbags in this country can get rich? I think not. I LIKE ag and ranch land! It’s what Montana’s all about. We are NOT supposed to be a shithole. We are the Big Sky, NOT the Big Shithole! Let’s tell the Chinese and their corporate fascist pimps in this country to take a flying leap at a rolling wonton!
Begin your education here:
http://www.chron.com/business/article/China-invests-billions-in-oil-sands-2176114.php
Understand that corporate fascism is global. Mordor is real.
p.s. I know you live down south, Moorcat, so why don’t you head over to the Bozeman Pass area and ask the folks that live there just why they didn’t want coalbed methane development on their property. Is it because they are extreme enviros? Is it because they are anti-American? Or is it because they choose to live without modern conveniences? NO! NO! NO! It’s because they didn’t want to live in a giant shithole!
Now, we must ask ourselves if they don’t want to live in a giant shithole, why should the folks in the eastern part of the state have to? Good question.
More Fracking Problems
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/01/17-3
Larry,
You appear to be on your donkey tilting at windmills again. My education is just fine and you have exagerated the facts a great deal. You have also missed my point completely.
I never said that I support fracking. Truth to be told, I don’t. The earthquakes caused by fracking, the polution of the water tables, the low yeild, the environmental problems.. there are a lot of very real issues with fracking that should be considered. This is also why many proposed fracking operations are currently on hold awaiting legal action. In fact, many of the operations you refer to (The ENTIRE FREAKIN’ WESTERN THIRD of N. Dakota is to be fracked.) will never go forward and some have already been shutdown due to legal suits over water pollution.
Second, I actually have no real issue with selling coal to China. If the coal is mined in a reasonable fashion, I see no reason to sell it to whoever wants to buy it. In fact, I would much rather see the coal go to China than to be used to fire yet another coal plant in the US. I would like to see the US develop better means to power our world than coal. Unlike you, I am a conservationist, not a preservationist. I don’t believe that we have to lock all our resources behind a fence so no one can touch them. I believe that our resources can be used in a reasonable fashion without utter destruction. This is not to say that damage isn’t being done right now. Of course it is. That is why there are “environmental rangers” in court right now trying to shut those operations down. You lose my support, though, when you attempt to prevent any use of our resources.
Source please, Moorcat. I’m gonna have to call you on your lawsuits shutting down fracking in N.D. Just where did you see that one? It ain’t happenin’. Nor in Montana. Just one lawsuit that has shut one well down in Montana. Where is your source?
What you apparently fail to realize is the scale. Name just ONE, only ONE, other project in N. America of the scale of the tar sands. Your opions are quite suspect for lack of substantiation, amigo. I await my education from you.
BTW, do you even realize what’s going on up there? What is becoming commonplace? That has NOTHING to do with your so called “conservation”.
A giant sh*thole, in more ways than one. Careful what you wish for, folks, ’cause you just might get it. It ain’t rocket science. Anyone who has ever taken a sociology class knows about the Gillete Syndrome. Invite in shitbags, stuff happens. And it AIN’T all the so called economic development.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/montana-mayor-blame-oil-workers-death-missing-teacher/story?id=15361735
Please note. I didn’t say it. The MAYOR did.
http://news.yahoo.com/nd-senator-rips-1m-epa-fracking-lawsuit-152015143.html
I think both of you are right, But I understand Larry’s frustration cuz it is also mine! Besides what we know, about how fracking is bad for the environment, the Coal coming from Montana is just as bad!
Good Coal the best is called: Anthracite!Most of the good coal is from Penn state, Virginia and England! The carbon content is between 92.1% and 98%.[2][3] The very best varieties of coal which do not give off tarry or other hydrocarbon vapours when heated below their point of ignition. Anthracite, or Blue Coal ignites with difficulty and burns with a short, blue, and smokeless flame.
Montana doesn’t have good stuff in the ground here! We have the shit stuff called “Bituminous” Bituminous coal must first be “coked” to remove volatile components. Coking is achieved by heating the coal in the absence of oxygen, which drives off volatile hydrocarbons such as propane, benzene and harmful hydrocarbons, plus sulfur gases.
This is why we have the 8th worst air Quality in the US around Colestrip Montana! This type of Coal has lots of soot dust and Poisons in it before they even coke it…. Meaning Rain runoff on mounds of that crap is just as poisonous, before they coke it as after when we get all the ash from the crap!
Even if we sell it, to China the damage done by this crap is just as bad for people before it leaves here, coming in contact with wind and water as when it is coked in china! It should be heavily regulated, but people like Rehberg really don’t want regulations getting in the way of big profits! Peoples Lives and Montana nature do not matter to that man, if there is money to be made!
PPL Montana’s Colstrip plant in Colstrip was No. 8 with 17.1 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. http://is.gd/6X4FZ5
Pam Bucy will make the best AG because she has the most experience. She has years of private practice experience, she’s been a prosecutor, she’s been chief legal in charge of a 600 person agency as well as the Chief Deputy to Mike McGrath. Jesse Laslovich is a bright young man, but he’s only been a state employee, and while he is chief legal for the auditor’s office they are one tenth of the size as the agency. He should definitely try again in a few years though.
I was on the fence on this race, but getting an email from Laslovich’s campaign manager informing me that Mary Caferro is endorsing him, definitely makes me a Bucy supporter.