A certain amount of opposition is a great help to a man. Kites rise against, not with, the wind. – Lewis Mumford

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With next Friday being Christmas and the Friday after that being New Year’s Day, this will be the last “Caught My Eye” of 2015. This is the 279th “Caught My Eye” of all time.

If you are a first-time visitor, “Caught My Eye” is posted right here every Friday morning! This is when I take a look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week. I often throw in a touch of sarcasm to make you smile – or to irritate you just a little – or maybe both.

Today I write about Gov. Steve Bullock & Lt. Gov. Angela McLean, State Rep. Tom Burnett, Montana’s DUIs, millennial Muslims, Obama & Guns, Dakota Prukop, chemtrails, plus much more!

Drip, Drip, Drip…

Earlier this month (December) I wrote about the resignation of Montana’s Lt. Governor Angela McLean. At the end of that part of my column, I wrote “Drip, drip, drip…”

That “drip” continues today. Governor Steve Bullock is having problems keeping it out of the news. The Montana GOP is doing their best to keep the drip going. The Greg Gianforte for Governor exploratory campaign is also trying to keep the faucet running.

The Bullock team in the capitol and his campaign team are both having a difficult time making the McLean issue go away. They are bleeding and the sharks smell that blood. Bullock needs to hurry up and appoint his next Lt. Governor to try to put this mess to bed.

McLean’s Salary:

Rep. Tom Burnett, R-Bozeman, should get an award or something for getting a news story published about nothing.

Burnett received some attention from Phil Drake of the Great Falls Tribune over his concerns about the salary Angela McLean will receive from the Office of Higher Education. The salary is about 40% more than the previous person’s salary.

A spokesperson for commissioner’s office said the salary was adjusted because the position changed and includes more duties. One position that paid $140,000 was eliminated.

Pro Tip for Burnett: You are a freaking Montana elected official. Pick up a phone and call the Office of Higher Education. Tell them who you are and that you want to know why the salary is higher. If you are polite, you might get the answer quickly…

Montana’s rising DUI toll:

Although I don’t always agree with the Billings Gazette editorial team, they are quickly becoming the best editorial team in Montana.

Today they write, “Help curb Montana’s rising DUI toll.” The following paragraphs should make all Montanans pause:

So far this year, 29 more people have died on our highways and streets than were killed last year. In fact, 29 more have been killed in alcohol-related crashes, according to MHP data. Montanans should be concerned that the number of alcohol-related fatalities is up 69 percent this year from 2014.

These deaths were preventable. If drivers had not been impaired by alcohol or other drugs, 71 people would be still be alive.

More needs to be done. It’s shameful.

Millennial Muslims:

For all the people out there who hate Muslims, I encourage you to read/watch the following story from CBS Evening News titled, “Millennial Muslims address backlash after San Bernardino attacks.”

Read the story HERE.

Obama & Guns:

Barack Obama is coming for your guns in 2016! After all the conspiracy stories from the right-wing news sources since 2008, it appears that when Obama gets back from his Christmas vacation he will be coming for your guns.

Well, maybe he won’t be going door to door. A legitimate news source (Roll Call) says the President will try to tighten gun laws:

Senior congressional aides and sources in the gun-control community expect the White House to use its executive powers to tighten federal gun laws shortly after President Barack Obama returns from a Hawaiian vacation in early January.

Relax folks. We have checks and balances in our great government. Do you remember eighth-grade government classes?

The good news is that you may get a few more guns than normal for Christmas…

Dakota Prukop:

Montana State University (MSU) quarterback Dakota Prukop is taking his talents to Oregon to play his final year of college football at the highest level. (Source)

I’m not a fan of MSU or Montana, but I do follow their football programs. I kind of feel like Prukop gave MSU and their fans the middle finger.

When I was growing up, I was taught to keep my word. I was also told there was no “I” in Team. There will be a new coach at MSU next season, so maybe Prukop felt it was fine to break his commitment to the University.

I am sure many Bobcat fans are saying to Prukop, “Don’t let the door hit you in the butt on the way out…” or something like that.

Chemtrail Switch:

Snopes.com is saying a photograph going around the internet showing a chemtrail switch on a plane is false. See the story HERE.

Sure the photo is false…that’s why I live in a bunker and own a gas mask and guns and…

The truth is out there…

One More Thing:

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas…

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