SOMETHING IS "ASKEW"

The Havre Daily Corrector’s plea for more information as to the goings on at the Hill County Courthouse a few posts back has elicited a response from a person with personal connections at the Courthouse. We wish to thank the person that e-mailed us the following observations as to the recent basement remodel that has run amuck at taxpayer’s expense.

• The article in the Wed's paper (12/23) all the crying about possible cut backs, no funds, etc. etc. Maybe they should have thought of that when the spent $1 mill + on the basement.
• In the amount of money they spent, they did not put in new energy efficient outside windows, but they put in expensive marble window sills.
• They opened the west door to the basement and in the bitter cold the inside doors that go out into the foyer have to be kept open or the fire sprinklers freeze because there were no heaters put in out there.
• In the hallways downstairs, they put in window walls so you can see in the offices rather than wood walls with sheet rock.
• They didn't put any window coverings (drapes) on the outside windows so the people in the offices downstairs freeze.
• They put a small bullet proof glass window in the county attorney's office to protect, both the walls surrounding the window are just sheet rock - not much protection there.
• The bathrooms downstairs are handicapped accessible, but before the automatic light comes on, you are already in the bathroom in the dark. There are also no mirrors in the bathrooms or no place to sit or hang your coat or purse, etc.
• Nobody occupied the offices in the basement last summer but yet the air conditioning was kept in the 60's. They should not have had to have the air on at all.
• The only way to adjust the temperature in the basement is to call in the heating guy to make the adjustment. No dials or ways that people there can do it.
• Front steps to the courthouse are still not right. They noticeably slope to the point of making one feel unbalanced.
• Architect was fired from the job by the commissioners and the commissioners (or one of them-Mike Anderson) became the architect thinking they/he could do a better job.

Thanks once again to our informed reader that has taken the time to help with the facts and for sending the report to the Havre Daily Corrector. Why is it that a job that is $200,000 over budget and screwed up beyond belief wasn’t deemed a newsworthy story by our local “News” paper? Considering that the money wasted re-doing the front entry numerous times alone could have kept our City-County pool funded for another decade we find it surprising that the taxpayers are not clamoring for the recall of Commissioner Mike Anderson and his cronies. Our reader / reporter even failed to mention the funds spent for a new computer server at the county that is still giving problems to the users, but that is yet another story.

The opening day for filing for Mike Anderson’s commission seat is January 14th. This is a good paying job with a wonderful benefit package as well. Come one, and come all, for the bar has been set low by the current inept performance of the present Commissioner. Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and Libertarians should all challenge this seat for a better tomorrow for Hill County.

MORE FUZZY MATH?

GOVERNMENT MATH AND CASH FOR CLUNKERS

Think of it this way - A clunker that travels 12,000 miles a year at 15 mpg uses 800 gallons of gas a year. A vehicle that travels 12,000 miles a year at 25 mpg uses 480 gallons a year. So, the average Cash for Clunkers transaction will reduce US gasoline consumption by 320 gallons per year. They claim 700,000 vehicles so that's 224 million gallons saved per year. That equates to a bit over 5 million barrels of oil. 5 million barrels is about 5 hours worth of US consumption. More importantly, 5 million barrels of oil at $70 per barrel costs about $350 million dollars. So, the government paid $3 billion of our tax dollars to save $350 million. We spent $8.57 for every dollar saved.

I'm pretty sure they will do a great job with health care though.....

UNBELIEVABLE SUPRISE

I nearly dropped my dentures this afternoon as I was driving down sunny Third Street and ran into the city crews out actually removing snow from the street. Being as I am accused at times of being a little senile I double checked my calendar and saw that it was indeed December 29th, a full 6 days away from Havre having a new Mayor. Is Mayor Bob giving us a belated Christmas present this year? After all the anguish navigating the deep ruts in unplowed snow last winter I just naturally assumed that the taxpayers of our fine city would once again be left shortchanged in the snow removal budget. I was kind of hoping the new mayor would alter the budget to prioritize some aspect of snow removal this winter but this was a welcome sight prior to the changing of the city regime. Kudos to the City Public Works for responding to the heat dumped upon them during last year’s failed snow removal performance. Could it be that the department heads have actually taken over the operations of their respective departments already?


I can hardly wait for fall and the arrival of a repaired leaf vacuum truck once again. Here’s hoping to a better year and my best wishes to all for a Happy and prosperous New Year.

Montana's Senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus on the Floor of the U.S. Senate Recently

Check out this Youtube Post:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5Y9X5ggxzA

Max Baucus sure knows how to bring forth strong memories of the great orators of that hallowed hall and the statesmanship of his fellow Senators before him including Stephen Douglas, Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, Everett Dirksen or Montana's own Mike Mansfield.  Wow!  Listen one and all to your sellout Senator Max Baucus.  Now we have this guy and our good ole No Earmarks Ever Senator Tester and poor old Conrad Burns who they sold down the river now lays in a hospital bed fighting to recover from a stroke.  For Conrad's sake it is a good thing Obama/Baucus/TesterCare doesn't take affect until 2014, luckily we only have to pay for it until then!!!  Way to go Montana. 

Write to Senators Baucus and Tester immediately and tell them they no longer represent us in Congress and that they had better pack their bags, we've had it with them and their style of government.  To think we thought the GOP was corrupt, it took them 12 years to get there and these guys have been in charge for going on three! 

Senator Max Baucus
511 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-2651 (Office)
(202) 224-9412 (Fax)
http://baucus.senate.gov/

Senator Jon Tester
724 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2604
Phone: (202) 224-2644
Fax: (202) 224-8594
http://tester.senate.gov/

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

From all of us here at the Havre Daily Corrector to all of our readers and contributors, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and most joyous and Happy New Year in 2010.  Let's make 2010 a year to remember and quadruple our hits in the first quarter, tell all your friends, the HDC is on the story! 

HAVRE DAILY NEWS DEFENDS AND DISPELS

Once again our blog is center billing with the Havre Daily News in tonight’s paper with the latest coming from Managing Editor John Kelleher. While we appreciate the free press Mr. Kelleher, I think you and Councilman Veis have unfortunately missed this big picture here, this is not about the Havre Daily Corrector. The point of all this is what is happening in our community on a daily basis is not getting out to the public. You need to ask yourself what we do, are we asking the tough questions? Are we asking the right people? We are looking for investigative journalism on these issues, not just reporting what happens at meetings and reprints of stories off the wires. Why not delve into these issues a bit? Our comment numbers show one thing if nothing else, our readers and yours too I would bet, are craving local news.

Which brings us to why we exist in the first place. We created this blog provide an alternative to the Havre Daily News and to correct misstatements and untruths spewed by not only the HDN, but our public officials as well. As we have said previously we do not hide our opinions here nor do we edit our stories for “news worthiness” or refuse to post for those who write to us or give us tips with whom we disagree. Actually we enjoy getting critical comments and would encourage differing viewpoints on issues of concern from the folks and would ask that you send us your story ideas, tips or editorials to our e-mail address: havredailycorrector@bresnan.net. We promise to post them as we receive them and in keeping with our commitment to our community you can remain anonymous if you wish and we can publish under your handle.

This brings us to our final comment and that is our anonymity. Let’s face it, we are not journalists and we don’t claim to be. We, and I do mean we as there are several of us involved in this “operation,” are interested and active community members who are fed up with the status quo and vowed to try our best to encourage thought and discussion and hopefully change. The reason we remain anonymous is that it doesn’t really matter who we are, what matters is what happens in this community and what the subjects of many of our posts are up to. So much like your “Our Viewpoint” column which remains unsigned, we reserve the right to simply be collective bloggers connected by a common goal and sign our views as such. Additionally we extend this courtesy to our contributors because let’s face it, in a community our size where everyone knows just about everybody, sometimes comments can be used against folks, which is unfortunate. That’s why we focus on the topic at hand and the point the writer makes as opposed to the “who” element.

So once again, thanks HDN, we look forward to your response and yes we do agree on one thing, we are definitely not connected!

WHO DONE IT?

I just read the article in tonight’s paper regarding Councilman Vies accosting Timmie Leeds, reporter for the local Havre Daily “News”. Apparently I missed one hell of a council meeting Monday night. Between Dennis Morgan coming before the council to chastise them yet again for their stupidity regarding annexation and Vies chewing out the HDN reporter, I have been told it reminded one of the old Laurel and Hardy show.

What Councilman Vies obviously doesn’t understand is that the Havre Daily Corrector Blog was started to CORRECT the misstatements and untruths continually covered in Havre’s half-assed, so called newspaper, not to mention their slanted perspective on politics, environmental topics, and socialist agendas to name a few. It is true, those of us at the Corrector have sent e-mails to various officials, councilmen, board members, etc trying to get the behind the scenes facts that the readers of the HDN never hear about. It didn’t take long after trying to get involved in local affairs I learned the sad fact that many of the local government boards, councils, etc meet, discuss, and decide on topics of interest behind the scenes and out of public scrutiny even though there are open meeting laws being violated. Like all laws, where there is a will, there is a way, and so it holds true for behind the scenes meetings.

Those of us involved with the Corrector were pleased to see that at least Vies thought we report factual information. And he should know, after all, he wasn’t born yesterday. Factual information is our objective. The difference between the blog and the paper is that we admit we report from the angle that reflects from our own opinions of the fact, while the “real newspaper” reports the same way, yet denies any bias. Realizing that rarely can you count on the Havre Daily “News” to contain many factual statements some of us decided to branch out on our own blogging venture to try and remedy that problem. I hope you agree that this blog can develop into something that can be good for the citizens of Havre and unlike the HDN, all of our tripe is free.

So………………if you have a story for us, drop us an e-mail

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN -- TIME TO GO BOB KAUL

Today was the magic day for MMIA, the City of Havre’s insurance carrier, to begin their investigation into the improprieties and unsafe working practices of the City crews that, according to our esteemed safety officer, work without regard to safety. By the time the new Mayor takes office the City should have a long list of violations to begin correcting and paying for. My source at the City has been unavailable all afternoon so I will try to find out what has happened thus far and post as soon as that information is available.


I would like to comment on the poll numbers recently logged on the Havre Daily Corrector regarding Council man Bob Kaul. It is interesting to note that over 75% of the respondents disapproved of his job performance. These poll numbers are even worse then President Obama’s with half of the respondents thinking that Kaul should just resign his post and slink away in shame. Of the 9 votes telling Kaul to “keep up the good work” I would allow that three have been cast by the trio that have been meeting together since the election deciding on “the course” the City should take, Bob Kaul himself, Tim Solomon, and Jimmy Tripperanus. Pretty dismal showing of support all in all. Will Kaul do the right thing and actually resign over his miss-guided actions?

We at the Corrector are still getting e-mails offering to support “any” candidate that will file against Kaul if he should refuse to do the right thing and resign. If you are, or know of a potential candidate, send us an e-mail.

The first council meeting where Tim will actually become our Mayor is January 4th at 7pm. I wish him well and hope that he will see his two “advisors” as what they are before they pull him into the fire.  Good Luck Mayor Solomon

WHERE THE HELL WAS "NO EARMARKS EVER" TESTER?

Well the ObamaCare plan has passed the first vote in the Senate. This is bad news for America but you wouldn’t know it by listening to Montana’s Senator’s Baucus and Tester. 60 votes were needed to move the bill forward which the Democrats received at about 1am on Sunday as the sickly 92 year old Senator Byrd was wheeled into the Senate chamber to cast his “aye” vote. Interestingly, several Democrat Senators were bought off in order to insure they would vote for the bill. Senator Bill Nelson exchanged his aye vote for an additional 100 million earmarked for his state of Nebraska’s Medicaid program as did Senator Mary Landrieu who will receive an extra 100 million in 2011 for Louisiana. In addition, Florida, Vermont, and Massachusetts are receiving special concessions as well as a host of "special" line item earmarks with varying objectives.


Along with these special interest provisions of the bill some businesses were targeted for increased taxes, such as tanning salons that are getting clobbered with an additional 10% tax to help finance this runaway train as well as a host of others who are being economically clubbed into submission. The cosmetic medical professionals dodged the bullet as the addendum to tax elective cosmetic surgery was pulled from the bill. Kudo's to the lobbying arm of the Screen Actors Guild on getting that stopped. Not surprisingly, the AARP, who you may recall strongly supported Obama last election, will be provided an additional one-billion dollars in Medicaid payments for their lobbying clients.  The list of earmarks and addendum to the health care bill goes on and on and we will bring you updates as we learn more and the “hidden” special interest provisions are brought to light.

By the way, didn’t our own Senator Tester campaign on the promise of No, No, and Hell No to any and all earmarks? Why are we the voters giving him a pass on this outright lie? Did not he nickname himself “No Earmarks Ever Tester" during the campaign? I can’t wait to hear his excuse on this one. And if Tester was going to be a Senator whose vote could be purchased like he claimed his former opponent was, why didn’t he stand firm for Montana and likewise bring home 100 million for Montana’s Medicaid program?

Damnation and lies, the Tester way!

OBAMACARE AND ILLEGALS

In September, Republicans charged that Obama’s mandated health plan gave coverage to illegal immigrants. President Obama denied that assessment in his address to the joint session of Congress when he said “This too is false ---- the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.” You may recall that this elicited the response of South Carolina Republican, Joe Wilson, who yelled out “YOU LIE!” to Obama as he made his speech.


Does the current version of the health plan allow this coverage? The Center for immigration studies reports that around 6.5 million illegal immigrants work in the United States. Over 2 million of these are currently covered under employer-sponsored insurance plans. Obama and the Democrats have recently and repeatedly stated that they will be working towards passing a bill legalizing illegal immigrants this next year. Accordingly, our taxpayers will be funding 4.5 million new additions to the already overburdened health care plan. Even with a very vivid imagination on my part, this fact alone will equate to unbearable costs and tax increases, without even considering the other increased costs the health care bill will impose upon the taxpayers.

Call your congressional delegation and tell them to put the brakes on any bill legalizing illegal immigrants.

ARE VOTERS HAPPY?

Some of the posts made on this blog are for the purpose of showing that some Americans, and likewise Havre residents, are not happy with what our political leaders are doing. Members of both political parties are unhappy and our blog isn’t meant to point a finger at any particular party. Members of both parties can be found that are doing and supporting idiotic things regarding our futures. Yes, both yours and mine. The following poll is from today’s Washington Post, which by anybodies standards, is not a right-wing lunatic paper. I do have some quotes from the Washington Times also, but we all would agree that they perhaps are a more right-wing venue. I am trying to keep this neutral as far as parties go but the facts are the facts.
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2009/12/15/GR2009121504435.html 

WHAT IS SOCIALISM?

What is Socialism?  The following is the definition described in Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism   I wonder if government support for the  ambulance, schools, and etc could be deemed socialist?  Isn't socialism the last step before full-fledged communism? What say you readers?

Socialism refers to various theories of economic organization advocating public or direct worker ownership and administration of the means of production and allocation of resources, and a society characterized by equal access to resources for all individuals with a method of compensation based on the amount of labor expended.[1][2][3]

Most socialists share the view that capitalism unfairly concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society that controls capital and derives its wealth through exploitation, creates an unequal society, does not provide equal opportunities for everyone to maximise their potentialities[4] and does not utilise technology and resources to their maximum potential nor in the interests of the public.[5]

Friedrich Engels, one of the founders of modern socialist theory, and Henri de Saint-Simon, a French Utopian Socialism theorist, advocated the creation of a society that allows for the widespread application of modern technology to rationalise economic activity by eliminating the anarchy of capitalist production.[6][7] This would allow for wealth and power to be distributed based on the amount of work expended in production, although there is disagreement among socialists over how and to what extent this could be achieved.

Socialism is not a concrete philosophy of fixed doctrine and programme; its branches advocate a degree of social interventionism and economic rationalisation (usually in the form of economic planning), but sometimes oppose each other. A dividing feature of the socialist movement is the split between reformists and revolutionaries on how a socialist economy should be established. Some socialists advocate complete nationalisation of the means of production, distribution, and exchange; others advocate state control of capital within the framework of a market economy.

Socialists inspired by the Soviet model of economic development have advocated the creation of centrally planned economies directed by a state that owns all the means of production. Others, including Yugoslavian, Hungarian, German and Chinese communist governments in the 1970s and 1980s, instituted various forms of market socialism, combining co-operative and state ownership models with the free market exchange and free price system (but not free prices for the means of production).[8] Modern social democrats propose selective nationalisation of key national industries in mixed economies, while maintaining private ownership of capital and private business enterprise. (In the 19th and early 20th century the term was used to refer to those who wanted to completely replace capitalism with socialism through reform.) Modern social democrats also promote tax-funded welfare programs and regulation of markets; many, particularly in European welfare states, refer to themselves as socialists, despite holding pro-capitalist viewpoints, thus adding ambiguity to the meaning of the term "socialist". Libertarian socialism (including social anarchism and libertarian Marxism) rejects state control and ownership of the economy altogether and advocates direct collective ownership of the means of production via co-operative workers' councils and workplace democracy.

Modern socialism originated in the late 18th-century intellectual and working class political movement that criticised the effects of industrialisation and private ownership on society. The utopian socialists, including Robert Owen (1771–1858), tried to found self-sustaining communes by secession from a capitalist society. Henri de Saint Simon (1760–1825), the first individual to coin the term socialisme, was the original thinker who advocated technocracy and industrial planning.[9] The first socialists predicted a world improved by harnessing technology and combining it with better social organisation, and many contemporary socialists share this belief. Early socialist thinkers tended to favour an authentic meritocracy combined with rational social planning, while many modern socialists have a more egalitarian approach.

Vladimir Lenin, drawing on Karl Marx's ideas of "lower" and "upper" stages of socialism[10] defined socialism as a transitional stage between capitalism and communism.[11]

DEEP THINKING LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I see in the letters to the editor that last few days that our good Democrats must be again focusing on a letter to the editor campaign to help us with our “mis-guided” thought process. Yesterday I read an article from former legislator Democrat Ray Peck who was just bewildered as to why the press would even cover the sexcapades of Max Baucus. News flash here for poor old Ray! The newspapers love covering trash, but the fact that this trash is being lived by the nation’s most powerful Senator and his bimbo who just happen to be from Montana is surely newsworthy to Montana voters. Time for the “Ax Max” campaign to begin, not by the Republicans this time, but by the Democrats themselves. Did not Mr. Peck notice that Savior Obama’s approval rating is in the tank and Max is only helping lay shame to the Democrats?

Today a letter to the editor appears in the HDN from former Editor Karen Datko who's employment was terminated by the HDN, expounding on the greatness of ObamaCare for all the peasants. What she fails to mention is just who is going to get to pay for this? Apparently she is now a financial expert because when I googled her name what did I find but that she is the Lead blogger of MSN Money’s Smart Spending Blog    http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SmartSpending/default.aspx  The blog says “A veteran reporter and editor with more than 30 years in the newspaper business, she is now a freelance writer and editor who shares her Havre, Mont., home with dogs Furio and Phoebe Mae” The blog failed to mention that she also makes her living not only by writing, but also by operating a dog walking service in Havre. Yes indeedie, Most qualified to give financial advice.

Check out some of the articles she has authored for the MSN blog, such as the advice given here on how to buy your casket at Wal-Mart and save big $$$.  http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SmartSpending/blog/page.aspx?post=1342261&_blg=1,1342261  or maybe you prefer the article on how to save money on professional photographers by using your own digital camera and an online photo editor like SnapShot. All in all, a very buy at home type of person.


After all these years of hoping for better, I find it is now time for a “new” way of thinking. It has finally dawned on me that it is we, the taxpayers, which will ultimately get the bill for this type of thinking.

What say you blog readers?

JUMPING LIKE RATS OFF A SINKING SHIP

Democrat Representative  Rep. Bart Gordon  (Tenn.) recently announced he would not be seeking re-election to his congressional seat in the 2010 election, retiring after 13 terms in office. Gordon joined Democrat representatives Dennis Moore (Kan.), John Tanner (Tenn.) and Brian Baird (Wash.) who have all announced their retirements in the past two weeks. This is going to cause serious problems for the Democrats who are already projected to be hard pressed to retain a majority in the house. President Obama has managed to lead the Democrats from a position “on the top of the world” to people jumping from the party like rats off a sinking ship. The retirement announcement from Gordon may lead to a stampede by democrats to abandon the sinking Obama ship. Party destruction that took George Bush 8 years to achieve has apparently been achieved by the Obama team in only 13 months. What can be done to rectify this desertion?


Well, the national Democrats are gearing up to “warn” us about the likes of the Sarah Palin radicals and the nuts from the “tea party protesters” such as Republican Senate Candidate Rob Simmons from Connecticut, who drives around campaigning with a tea bag hanging from his rear view mirror. Are Republicans really going to be the puppets of Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and their throngs of followers?

What this dumb blogger from rural Montana doesn’t understand is why does our Democratic Party think that the way to retaining a majority is by attacking “Crazy” Republicans and trying to instill a sense of fear into the voters about the “lunatic” fringe when those of us in the trenches can plainly see that the blind allegiance to President Obama and this stupid stimulus plan and unchecked health care spending is what’s going to defeat the Democrats. Why do politicians continue to cram crap down our throats when it is plan to see that most people don’t agree with their direction?

What do our readers think?

REPUBLICAN VS DEMOCRAT DIFFERENCES ANSWERED

Havre Daily Corrector readers. The following was posted by Mark Shannon on his website and I think pretty much sums up the differences between Republicans and Democrats. Of course in Montana, each political party comes together to works towards their individual Democrat or Republican platform which you can read for yourselves at the following links.   http://www.mtgop.org/partyplatform.aspx   http://www.montanademocrats.org/platform Thanks for providing this blog where we can have express not only the facts, but some personal comment and opinion.
Brad Lotton


Which Do You Believe?
Republicans believe......that the United States were founded on the fundamental principle that individuals have certain rights and freedoms which cannot be infringed upon and may be restricted only to the degree necessary to preserve the rights of others. Democrats believe......that our Founding Fathers did not really mean what they said when they guaranteed certain constitutional rights such as the right to freedom of religious expression, the right to keep and bear arms, and the right to retain the use of private property.

Republicans believe.........the money you earn is yours and that government in a free society has the right to take only as much as is needed to perform those limited functions, which are appropriate to it. Democrats believe.....government has a right to use your money as it sees fit to redistribute wealth, establish new spending programs in times of budget surpluses, and to return to you only that portion of your money which is politically expedient.

Republicans believe............the traditional family and the values it fosters are the foundation of American society and their preservation is essential to our Nation's continued success. Democrats believe .......American society must redefine its values and the role of the family to fit new lifestyle concepts, which have resulted from the 60ís counter-culture movement and an attitude that promotes an abrogation of individual responsibility.

Republicans believe............parents have the right to determine the values with which their children will be raised and to have the widest possible choice among public, private and religious schools and that competition will improve public education. Democrats believe......the federal government has the right to determine the values which will be taught in public schools and parentsí choice of schools must be limited to avoid exposing public schools to competitive forces which would encourage reform and increase accountability.

Republicans believe............that the free enterprise system is the most effective engine of economic progress. Democrats believe......that government regulation and federal control of economic activity can better distribute wealth and services to the American people.

Republicans believe............high taxes, runaway government spending, and over-regulation of business and farming punish initiative and stifle economic growth. Democrats believe.........penalizing achievement with higher taxes and increased government bureaucracy and spending will not stifle economic growth but instead guarantee prosperity for everyone.

Republicans believe............that with freedom comes responsibility and that individuals must take personal responsibility for their own actions and our criminal justice system must be based on this idea. Democrats believe.........individual behavior, including criminal behavior, can be blamed on "society" and that spending on social welfare programs and improvements in prison living conditions can combat crime.

Republicans believe............that your property is yours and you have the basic right to make use of it without unreasonable government restrictions. Democrats believe.........the government has the right to regulate the use of private property in accordance with narrow special interests without giving just compensation to owners.

Republicans believe............the preservation of our rights and freedoms must be entrusted to a strong national defense and of the ability of the United States to negotiate with other nations from a position of strength. Democrats believe.........we can afford to drastically weaken our military despite the threats present in an unstable, post-Cold War international environment and the United States must subjugate its interests to those of the United Nations.

Republicans believe............it is imperative today to re-affirm the traditional freedoms and values of America to preserve our great Republic. Democrats believe.........that America must adopt a politically correct, multi-cultural set of values which denies common American heritage and will further divide American society.

Republicans believe............there can be differences of opinion and that such differences such result in opponents, not enemies. Democrats believe.........that all whom oppose them are to be treated as enemies.

Republicans believe............that all of America's citizens can enjoy the rights and freedoms of our country without diminishing the rights of others. Democrats believe.........that some must give up a portion of their rights and freedoms that others may enjoy those same rights and freedoms.

Republicans believe............that public servants, particularly those whom we elect to office, must be held accountable to the highest standards of ethical conduct. Democrats believe.........that loyalty to a discredited leader is a virtue and if other office holders have committed indiscretions, a sitting office holder should not be criticized for failing to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct.

HILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE

We are looking for accurate information about what has been happening at the Courthouse. Anyone willing to help out here? Reportedly, nearly a million dollars was spent on the basement remodel which unsurprisingly, is around 200 thousand buck over budget. Apparently the County Commissioners let one of their own, Mike Anderson, act as the “General” contractor in an attempt to keep costs down with disastrous results. We have been told that the fire sprinkler lines are freezing, climate control is uneven, computer wiring and the server is giving them fits, and to top it all off the front entry stairs are again not completed to specifications.

Wouldn’t you know it?

DEMOCRAT VS REPUBLICAN

As I read the comments to the blogs I notice that allot of comments are made about one political party or another, but it seems to me that there are despicable people in both parties and also good people representing both parties. I find it hard to understand why anyone would vote for someone strictly because of their party affiliation. I have also found that a few people in Havre actually despise people with differing political beliefs


I have questions I would like to pose for a SERIOUS discussion. Please tell me why you are a Republican or Democrat, as the case may be. What beliefs or platforms do the parties hold that causes you to align yourself with a particular political party? How do you decide which candidate to vote for? Do you vote both parties or stay with what is termed “straight-line” party voting? I am very curious about the thought process that people use to make their selections. I guess I ask this question because I know numerous people that do vote religiously that never-ever read a newspaper or watch the news. How then do they decide?

Please let’s try to refrain from just bashing the political parties here and give us some serious responses.

BLOGGER CHICKEN

Ok, Mike has made a good point. I admit it, while I assumed at some point when we started this blog that I would be “outed” by somebody sooner or later and most likely have to suffer some consequences for being involved with this blog, at this point I am not going to reveal who is behind this blog. The Havre community has seen many vindictive actions taken between the members of the political parties and various businesses over the last decade. Vandalism, boycotts, hatred, name calling, and loss of business. Some of the people contributing to this blog fear retaliation for posting these “behind” the scenes types of items, such as the secret meetings and decisions at the school board, etc. Irritate the clerk in charge of buying office supplies and it’s “hello mail order Quill Corporation, good-bye locals” Berate the actions of a councilman with union ties, there goes your chance of advancement and on and on. There is potentially allot at stake for those that would dare to question any “authority” even if it is done in a polite manner.


Ever go to a council meeting to complain about something? You don’t exactly get welcomed with open arms, nor are you listened to with any credibility given to your opinion if it disagrees with the opinion of one of the boys with “power”. This is not a town of loving, caring people trying to “get along” to advance the community. The City boys HATE the County and vice-versa. Not dis-like, but HATE. How can you operate an informational discovery venue without one of the warring factions thinking you are on one side or another?

Mike, though we are chicken shits, we are going to take your point to heart and try to ratchet down the antagonistic tone of this blog. We are still going to attack and call what is stupid, stupid but hopefully we can make this a great place to vent.

Thanks for your opinion and we hope at some point others will share what they know is happening behind the scenes also. Please recognize that some things can only be brought forth anonymously.

GUEST OPINION BY MICHAEL F. BADGLEY

MAN UP

At first I was glad that this site came about. I wonder now? I do like to know about information that has been over looked or just not reported. That is helpful to everyone as I see it. While there is a lot of information that is being shared, there is a lot of personal attacks and resentful stuff being aired. I don't believe this is helpful to anyone. Is this an adult site? I wonder about the wisdom of some people! I think about the saying about "living in a GLASS HOUSE" and the "PLANK IN YOUR EYE".

I think a lot of this stuff wouldn't be posted if YOU OWNED what you post. I don't mean e-mail names, first names or any other designations. Your NAME, WHOLE NAME! MAN UP! I believe anything else is like the thief in the night who wants to do evil but doesn't want to be known. If something is signed anonymously I don't believe it is worth reading. No guts.

My opinion is my opinion, but I don't have to be hurtful, hateful, vulgar, put someone down or voice character assassination in general about it. You don't have to like what is say, but you know who I am and what I believe. Who's next?

I have made mistakes and usually a friend or someone else has brought it to my attention so I can correct it. I know this doesn't always work, but airing garbage that doesn't help or correct a situation doesn't fix or cure a thing. If you planned on moving to Havre and read this stuff what would you think!!! Lots of dirty laundry is being aired.

I wouldn't want the job of Mayor or Councilman. The pay is bad, the BS is worse and the responsibility is very great. I believe to serve is noble and we should thank people who do serve. Not everything is done right but there is a process to correct it in an adult way.

I am sure there are a couple books out there that can show us the proper way to treat our fellow man.
Have a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I hope this gets posted!

Michael F. Badgley

HILLBILLY COUNTY

I spent some time trolling the net last night looking for some precinct maps that would tell me what precincts make up the Ward 3 seat so I can start my search for a replacement for Kaul and what did I find? You got it, absolutely nothing usable. I am told I have to go to the Clerk and Recorders office and they will make me a photo copy of the map. While I am there I will also be getting a map of Mike Anderson’s Commissioner District as he also needs to join Kaul “back in the audience”


What I did find in my search was that the Hill County Website has lots of “current” information. See it for yourself here    http://co.hill.mt.us/default.htm 

Notice that Doug Kaercher is a commissioner, Cyndee Peterson is County Attorney, and Greg Szudera is sheriff. Very impressive website. Folks in power in Hill County sure make it difficult for anyone that wants to make changes in the county. I do suppose that their excuse for this shabby website is that the “Pool” lawsuit and the “annexation” problem have depleted their resources.

Just compare “our” website with that of Lewis and Clark County. Website  http://www.co.lewis-clark.mt.us/home.html  They have excellent maps of all their precincts also. Maps  http://www.co.lewis-clark.mt.us/index.php?id=990  Click on precinct 3 here in Lewis and Clark County and you will even see maps with the lots defined and a house number on each. Why are we so behind the times here in the “Ozarks” of Montana?

Never fear, the Havre Daily Corrector will be providing you maps of some sort soon so our readers can help us find candidates to run against the incumbents that have over stayed their welcome, regardless of party affiliation.

THANKS MR PRESIDENT

BOB KAUL –COWBOY TURNED RAT SAFETY GURU

The Havre Daily Corrector has obtained a copy of the letter that Ward 3 Democrat Bob Kaul sent to Dave Peterson, director of City of Havre public works, regarding the Christmas decorating “endangerment to Life and Limb.” Notice that Kaul stated that both MMIA and the Montana Safety Bureau were “aware” of these incidents. Why, you may ask? Because he had already called and ratted the city out to both places PRIOR to ever contacting Department Head Peterson or the Mayor. Our opinion is that Councilman Kaul should go back herding his imaginary cattle and get his busy little nose out of things where he is not intelligent enough to comprehend the consequences and costs of his actions.

CAULKING CZARS?

Yesterday President Obama gave a speech on the economy where he laid out his “ideas” for further stimulating the economy. So far about half of the original 787 billion dollars has been expended and President Obama wants to add 200 billion more. Obama suggested a fresh round of infrastructure spending and further development of energy saving and weatherization programs. You may recall an earlier blog about a proposed program requiring everyone in America to buy a “license” for their home that would force them to spend money to increase energy efficiency of their homes. Obama went on to say that he is working on developing a program called “Cash for Caulkers”. No, it’s not some sort of perverted sex program, but rather a cash assistance incentive similar to the “Cash for Clunkers” that would give incentives for weatherization.


Less than a week ago President Obama gave a “Jobs” speech where he revealed that Economic Indicators are suggesting a rise in the jobless rate over the next few months to add to the woes of businesses that are already seeing the highest unemployment rate in the last century. Obama said at this speech he didn’t want to increase funding for infrastructure because frankly, the term “Shovel Ready” was not realistic in most cases. When someone made the comment that China was surpassing America economically because of their rapid and more extensive infrastructure work, Obama responded with "The Chinese don't have this thing called democracy we have to deal with -- so shoveling out a whole lot of money, tearing down whatever's there, conscripting folks to do the work is not as tough.”

So what have we heard in the last week from the White House about our worrisome economy? Spend 200 billion more. Do some caulking to save on heat bills. Spend less on infrastructure. Spend more on infrastructure one week later. And most importantly, dream about how we can become more socialist like China so we can “conscript” folks to do the work.

Well at least the bright point is still that those that wanted “change” have indeed received exactly that.

HAVRE DAILY NEWS CORRECTION / KAUL

Yet another inaccurate report by the Havre Daily News in today’s paper with the headline of Schend questioned Kaul’s decision to bypass the mayor, go directly to Peterson


The article in the HDN went on to say; “Schend questioned Kaul's decision to bypass the mayor and go directly to Peterson and then the state agencies. Kaul said that he had tried to contact Rice,”

What really transpired was that Schend told Kaul that the protocol was to call the mayor as the department heads answered to him. Kaul stated he called City Hall and was told the Mayor was unavailable so he asked for Peterson who told him he would send Jeff Jenson right out to get the problem corrected, which he did. In spite of this, Kaul called the complaint in to the State and the Insurance carrier.
The bone of contention was not that Kaul had called Peterson, but that Kaul had taken it upon himself to turn the City, for which he is supposed to be a representative of, into the State regulatory office as a "lone ranger" with the rest of the council not consented or informed until after the fact.

Mayor-elect Solomon was in the audience and since it is a known fact that Kaul and Solomon have been meeting together the past few weeks, the Havre Daily Corrector staff is wondering if Solomon was involved in this dumb move?

Upon further questioning we have also been told that Kaul has told numerous people he was not going to run anything past Mayor Rice as he only has a month left in his term and the person he would answer to was Mayor Solomon after he takes office. Apparently Kaul is feeling his “oats” about the Rice defeat.

LONE RANGER KAUL ATTACKS AGAIN

Bob Kaul, Ward 3 Councilman, again went “Lone Ranger” without regard to any advice or council from his fellow city commissioners. As he has countless times in the past, councilman Kaul cited an unidentified citizen who supposedly called him with “safety” concerns for City of Havre Workers as the excuse for his current indiscretion. Bob Kaul apparently gets 5 times as many citizen calls as all the other commissioners combined, but can never reveal a caller'sname when questioned. The “caller” reported that City crews were violating safe bucket truck practices while putting up Christmas lights. Kaul said he immediately jumped into his “busy body mobile” and speed off to investigate, only to find the city crew gone. Unbelievably, Bob Kaul then called the State Labor and Industry department which regulate workplace safety, to turn the City of Havre in for OSHA violations instead of dealing with it in his safety committee or by first notifying the Mayor, which is protocol. When asked by Councilman Schend why he hadn’t first went through the channels of notifying Public Works or the Mayor, Kaul responded that “Petey” was out of town and he didn’t know where “Jens” was. When pressed further by Schend as to why he didn’t call the Mayor first before being a rat and turning the city in for alledged violations, Kaul responded that Mayor Bob wasn’t in his office and he didn’t know the Mayor’s cell phone number. Damn lies, is all this blogger will say to that. Mayor Rice campaigned on the fact that he could be reached at all times and continually advertises his cell number as 808-Navy. He even sleeps with the damn thing. Any intelligent person should be able to remember that easy number. Apparently Schend then “suggested” to Kaul that in the future he follow protocol and go through the channels like he was a member of the council or go back to being a member of the audience. Kaul, as you would suspect, became immediately hostile and even went so far as to then call the Mayor out like a school yard bully to “discuss” the matter further “anytime, anyplace” Sounds like Havre voters missed witnessing a very entertaining meeting. I wonder of Chief Nystrom had his hand on his baton in case a ruckus was to break out?


Voters will be happy to know that this rat-fink“turning ‘em in” is bringing a full-scale investigation team to Havre to go thru all City Departments and buildings to access any out of compliance practices and safety violations. We better make sure the chains are on the gas welding tanks, the weight load limit stickers are on the bucket truck, and warning signs don’t have any obvious holes in the fabric, and on and on. THIS WILL COST THE CITY AND YOU THE TAXPAYER BIG MONEY! Every I will need to be dotted and every T crossed no matter how miniscule the violation or asinine the procedure. THANK YOU BOB KAUL; YOU ARE SUCH A BRIGHT GUY. Doesn’t Bob realize he was assigned to the safety committee to get rid of him? Not to make the whole City operations his little Kingdom.

Even more idiotic is the fact that Bob Kaul also turned the City into their City liability insurance carrier, MMIA. Violations and complaints equate to higher premiums and reduced coverage. Thanks again Bob Kaul for ratting your fellow tax-payers out to “big-brother.”

After a couple failed runs for the Ward 3 Council position, Bob Kaul was left to slide into the position in an unopposed and empty victory after the Republicans failed to produce a candidate in 2007. However, the Democrats rallied behind their “chosen one” and elected this sorry excuse for a representative instead of finding a credible candidate.

The Havre Daily Corrector has pledges of big dollars for campaign expenses to anyone, of any party, with an IQ higher then 50, who will run against Kaul in the next election. We also have pledges of campaign help, door to door assistance, sign assistance, and promises of workers to mount the campaign. Take a look at the Ward 3 map on the City of Havre Website to see if you know someone in the Ward that can run. Click here for Ward map  http://www.ci.havre.mt.us/index_files/Page682.html  Let’s send this rat back to the sewers and find a new representative for Ward 3.


I apologize in advance to the blog reader that takes offense at my dim-bulb references, but this guy is truly rat-fink and an idiot that hurts all of Havre with his puffed up chest tactics. Even more frightening is the fact that Mayor–elect Solomon is meeting together with Kaul on a regular basis for “advise and counsel”.

HISTORICAL UNEMPLOYMENT

Since 1948, the U.S. unemployment rate has exceeded 10% once; once it was 9%. In all other post-WWII recessions, unemployment has peaked at less than 8%.  Currently unemployment is 10.2%

NEVER ENDING CHRISTMAS PLEAS

I have been getting tons of e-mail (spam) from all the so called internet merchants making sure I know about all the wonderful things I can buy for gifts this Christmas season. They take some time to go through but I guess I am ok with it as I have visited most of the sites that are sending me pleas. One e-mail I got today that I thought was rather interesting was a plea from the Democrat Party that went like this;


The talk around the holiday table turns to politics, and you cringe, knowing what's coming from the farthest right branches of your family tree. Every family has 'em:
• Aunt Bertha: "Sarah Palin said that this health care reform bill will save money by making senior citizens go in front of a 'death panel.' I don't want to die!"
• Uncle Frank: "I think the government needs to keep its hands off my Medicare!"
• Cousin Larry: "Global warming doesn't exist. It was really cold last Tuesday!"
This year, there's no reason to stay home all by your lonesome and eat a TV dinner. Fight back with the DSCC's Home for the Holidays Cribsheet. Our cribsheet includes responses to a number of commonly regurgitated Republican myths. All you need to do is click, print, and keep in your pocket. See this stupidity here ---  https://secure.democratsenators.org/o/4/images/holiday_tips.pdf  What this crib sheet amounts to are regurgitated Democrat lies designed to make us feel better when arguing with Republicans spouting their own lies.  Just how stupid do these parties think the eloctorate is?  Pretty stupid apparently.

Also the e-mail went on to tell me that for as little as a $5 donation I would be “safe” from the Republicans. Now I may be confused, but it seems to me that both parties have forgotten just who it is that ultimately pays the bills. Does anyone in their right mind actually think I should be afraid of Sarah Palin? Or be stupid enough to think that Global warming doesn’t exist simply because it was cold last Tuesday? I just sent an e-mail to a republican friend to see if their party is also sending out stupid “tips” this Christmas season to educate the dummies in their party.
What both these “mainstream” parties have forgotten is that we are all sick of both parties. Rehberg, Burns, and Bush said yes, and hell yes to most any spending that came their way. The Dems whined about “bad” leadership, over spending and Abramoff until they wiggled back into power and what did they do? Put the brakes on spending? Hell No! They are making the Republicans look like Scrooge with their ridicules “stimulus” spending and frightening expansion of government.
The only thing I have been stimulated to do this past couple of years is to yell “I am mad as hell and am not going to take it anymore!” Fellow Bloggers ---- it is time we all take up the cry, no matter what your party affiliation. Where do we find these people?  And more importantly, why are we even sending them 5 dollars?

HELP

We at the HAVRE DAILY CORRECTOR  could use some help with reports from various meetings around the county.  City Council, Commissioners, School Board, and various boards such as the Airport, Weed, Zoning and etc that meet each month.  We want to keep our readers abreast of whats happening in Hill County from the tax-payers perspective.  See something amiss in the "news" paper? Correct it.  If you can help send us an e-mail havredailycorrector@bresnan.net

MONDAY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
December 7, 2009 7:00 pm
1. Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Roll Call.
3. Approval of November 16 council minutes.
4. Employee service awards.
5. Police Officers-Appointments.
6. Committee Reports.
7. Approval of November’s claims & manual warrants issued.
8. Public Comment-Limited to any public matter within the jurisdiction of the City Council not on this agenda; 3-minute time limit per speaker
Finance Committee 4:45 p.m.
Next Council Meeting—December 21

SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA
Havre Public Schools Board of Trustees meets Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Havre Middle School
assembly room.
A. Call to order
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Roll call
3. Welcome to visitors
4. Presentation and display - MontanaSta te University- Northern Education Department thank you —fred Smiley, presenter
5. Agenda deletions or corrections and additions allowed per policy, if any
B. Unanimous consent agenda
1. Minutes of previous regular and special meetings
2. Elementary school district No. 16 claims, warrants, pre-written warrants and payrolls
3. High school district A claims, warrants, pre-written warrants and payrolls
4. Budget transfers
5. Investment report
6. Activity report
7. Bus routes
8. Personnel action
C. Items of old business
1. District boundary change
D. Items of new business
1. Consideration for out-of-state travel to the American Choral Directors Association convention — Darla Cook, presenter
2. Board performance assessment and meeting evaluation tool review, Policy 1620P
3. Approval of the Construction Manager at Risk contract between Dick Anderson Construction and Havre Public Schools
Open agenda
E. Superintendent's report
1. District and school profile reports — Andy Carlson, presenter
2. Principal reports
3. Director of education report
4. Activity director report
5. Facility and maintenance director report
F. Announcements/Communications/Information
1. Announcements from the chair
2. Correspondence
G. Executive Session
1. Superintendent's evaluation
H. Closing
1. Next special board meeting will be held Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 12:15 p.m. in the Robins Administration building; next regular board meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the Havre Middle School assembly room. 
HILL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA
Monday
— TAC Meeting — HRDC 1:30 p.m. — Building Manager Ricci
4 p.m. — TBID review
5:30 p.m. — Hill County Park Board
Tuesday
9 a.m. — DES position review
9:30 a.m. — Pandemic/Medical Surge Committee
10:30 a.m. — Road Supervisor Otto – Road and bridge review
10:30 a.m. — LEPC Committee
1:30 p.m. — 911 Committee
5 p.m. — HRDC Budget Committee meeting
Wednesday
8 a.m. — MACO Audit Control Training — Justice Center
2 p.m. — MACO Workers’ compensation review
Thursday
10 a.m. — Agenda: Manual claims; Employment review; Tax adjustments; County permit; approval; Subdivision/survey Approval; resolutions; Time for comments from the public
2 p.m. — MSU-Northern Small Business Class
Friday
11 a.m. — Weed Board

PERSON OF THE YEAR 2009

Who will be the Time Magazine Person of the Year 2009?

Time Magazine selected Barack Obama as the person of the year in 2008. They cited his work bringing the Democrats together to win the Presidential race as the reasoning for awarding him the person of the year cover. This year, Time magazine again has Obama listed in the “short” list citing his Nobel Peace Prize and work towards “stimulating” the economy. The only apparent hold up is that unemployment is at an all time high of 10.2%.

What is the Media infatuation with this guy? I can’t even find that many Democrats that will say that much positive now that he is president although I do understand that many hated Bush and viewed this unqualified candidate as the lesser of two evils. I don’t really put much store in Time Magazines opinion however, as they are affiliated with CNN, the most liberal press of our media.

I would like to hear why our readers think the Media worships Obama.  Post your comments please

CAUGHT WITH YOUR KNICKERS DOWN?

JUST SPIN IT!

Reading through the papers today I noticed that there are allot of people and commentators that think 67 year old Baucus getting caught with his knickers down is not really a big deal. When asked if there should be an investigation into “ethics violations” Baucus himself was quoted as saying “I don’t understand why”? Not a big deal that the nation’s most senior Senate member and chairman of the most powerful finance committee is spending his free time off with some 53 year old chippie, who apparently has now moved into the love nest with the Senator. Interestingly, Ms. Hanes began working for Baucus in 2002 and just coincidently, both Baucus and Hanes divorced from their spouses this past year and moved in together. Is giving tax-funded positions to Max’s girlfriends any different than just giving the DC Madam the government Senate Visa Card to pay for his “recreation”? I guess we now know why Max never puts up a fight when anyone wants to delete any “family values” lines from a bill or why he never speaks up too loud on morality issues.

 

To tell you the truth, I am a little taken back myself about all the coverage Max’s relationship with a bimbo receives, when just less than a month ago there was allot of press in Washington about Max’s evil lobbyist buddies and other insider cohorts that never saw a seconds media coverage in Montana. Why wasn’t there media coverage in Montana about the 50 million dollars given to Obama Care committee members as campaign donations? It has been over a month since this story broke and NOTHING!!!!!! Take a look at Bill Moyer’s video exposing Max’s advisors and rotating pharmaceutical lobbyists

http://newsjunkiepost.com/2009/10/10/must-see-video-bill-moyers-exposes-max-baucus-advisers-and-other-lobbyists/


When Max responded that he didn’t understand how his actions could be unethical,   I sincerely believed him. Max is so far gone from having any ethics -------------- He doesn’t have a clue. Let’s bring home the incumbents next election.

MONTANA STUD FOR HIRE

Max Baucus again abused his power and embarrassed Montana with a blatant attempt get his little mistress appointed to a powerful position as US Attorney. Pretty good payoff for spending some “quality time” with an old wrinkly senator I would say. What happened to the good old days when the Senators just kept some big bags of cash in their home freezers to pay for their indiscretions?

Baucus began his affair with his former Montana State Director, Melodee Hanes, in the summer of 2008 and divorced his wife, Wanda in March of 2009. Melodee perhaps should get some personal security for protection in light of the fact that dear old Wanda made the news for going bezerk and going into attack dog mode over something as trivial as a bag of cow manure. Nothing better than a good old cat-fight news story about two dames fighting over Montana’s most “powerful” and “honorable” (tongue in cheek here) Senator.

This news story was first reported in the Washington Roll Call  http://www.rollcall.com/news/41188-1.html?ET=rollcall:e6074:80067576a:&st=email  and could very well kill the Democrats chance of passing the Obama Care. Montanans disgusted with Max will now be joined by most Washington politicos. Just think, a man with that much experience in Washington not having even enough sense to buy off the “right” people to keep this out of the news like his counter-parts currently do. Makes one proud to be a Democrat.

Anyone ready to put this old Montana stud out to pasture?

SCHOOLBOARD SPEAKS

I just got an e-mail from a person telling about a group called the Pachyderm Club that is active here in Havre and meeting tomorrow. Apparently they meet a couple times a month for lunch and have guest speakers to inform people in their group about things that are going on around town. Past speakers have included people from places like the Border Patrol, Search and Rescue, political candidates, the fair board, Chamber of Commerce, and etc. etc.


The speaker for this week is none other than School Board Chair Shad Huston who will be speaking on what is happening with our school system. My friend said that anyone can come for the no host lunch that is held in the back meeting room of Wolfer’s Diner tomorrow, Friday, December 4th at noon. I would love to go and hear what the current “spin” is but have a conflict so I thought I would post the info here and invite you all, which I was told I could do.

If you hear anything interesting at the luncheon please take notes and send me an e-mail at havredailycorrector@bresnan.net and I will post it on the blog.

ANYONE FEELING "STIMULATED"?

Stimulating the economy has now stimulated the unemployment rate to a record 10.2% which is the highest it has been since 1983. Of course this must all still be Bush’s fault because President Obama, Senator Max Baucus, and Senator Tester can do no wrong and are busy stimulating us with everything from health-care to Czars in charge of keeping yard sales safe. Take a look at a very interesting interactive graphic published today on the Washington Post --- Interactive Map: Unemployment Rate by County
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/nation/unemployment-by-county/?hpid=topnews&referrer=emaillink

Obama’s very“stimulated” 10.2% unemployment rate is the worst the United States has endured since the recession that was dumped in President Reagan’ s lap by Jimmy Carter in the early 80’s. On the flip side, President Obama has made good on his promise to spend less time dealing will illegal immigration and more on the economy. Arrests of illegal immigrant workers at work sites have dropped by more than 50 per-cent from 2008. Currently there are 12 million unemployed Americans which contrasts with the current illegal immigrant population of 15 million.
It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out a solution to this one. Call your Senator at the Capital switchboard 1-202-224-3121 and point out the obvious because they just don’t get it.

SPAMMERS

We have slight problem with the Havre Daily Corrector comment post. We are starting to get some posts (spam) linking us to various sites including a Porn place or two in the comments section. Most have originated on the Fire Department Post some time ago so. We have deleted it completely because it appears to be linked to some type of automatic poster. If this doesn’t cure the problem, the best option, it appears to us is to require that you have to enter a copied name in the Box to be allowed to post as many sites require you to do. We want to do what is easy and what will be best to encouraged participation.


Does anybody have suggestions or comments about this? We want to hear what you think. Or should we just keep deleting the comments?

IS THIS THE BEST MAYOR-ELECT SOLOMON CAN GET FOR ADVISORS?

BE AFRAID HAVRE ------ BE VERY AFRAID

Yesterday this blogger was called and told that Mayor-elect Tim Solomon was again seen in his county truck pulling into the failed Greek Restaurant in South Havre for an executive meeting with his two top ranking political and economic advisors. We at the Havre Daily Corrector jumped immediately into our car and raced down 5th Avenue to try and determine what the “facts” really were. To our astonishment we observed 3 vehicles in the now defunct restaurant parking lot, one of which was Solomon’s county pickup, and the other two we determined belonged to former restaurant operator Jimmy Tripperanus and Councilman Bob Kaul. Further calls and investigation latter that afternoon by those of us at the Havre Daily Corrector leads us to believe that the meeting was held for the purpose of Solomon receiving advice from these two idiots as to just whom should be selected to be on the various City of Havre Council committees.


While the Havre Daily Corrector bloggers were divided as to which mayoral candidate was the best choice prior to the election, the thought that Solomon is now seriously considering any advice from a failed “businessman” and an “early” retiree from the railroad that had been stuffed away as the “safety” officer until the railroad could find a way to get him out of their hair has us perplexed. Why would any sane person take any advice from these two dim-bulbs?

We think Havre is in for a very long 4 years.

PROPERTY TAX ALERT

Property Tax Day is again upon us. Many people saw a very large increase in the valuation of their real estate due the recent re-appraisal. Some people also saw substantial increases in the amount of taxes owed due to the re-appraisal while others received tax notices that were basically the same as last year. An important fact to consider for those that had a large increase in appraisal, even if it didn’t affect your tax bill this year, is the possibility that your future taxes in subsequent years can be increased by simply re-adjusting your mill levy which would then increase your taxes. This could be accomplished by the taxing authorities without notice and without any change to your property valuation. The Department of Revenue needs to be accountable for the proposed administrative rules which they are seeking to pass retroactively. You can contact your local representatives to demand that they support a legislative analysis of these proposed rules. The Department of Revenue will be increasing their taxing authority as it now stands. Please investigate and be wary of this back door very likely possibility of the government reaching deeper into your pocket books.


You can file an appeal of your taxable valuation, but the time is past for this year as you only have 30 days from the time the assessment notice is mailed. You can however file one for next year after January 1, 2010. You can find a blank form for doing this as a link on the website www.mtpropertyappraisal.com You also should obtain the 2009 Property Record Card from your local Department of Revenue office. This notice contains all of the details of “added calculations” used by the Department of Revenue to increase values.

The Havre Daily Corrector previously reported information about a lawsuit in Federal Court challenging the unfairness and inadequacies of the re-appraisal process and you can read updates of the progress at www.mtpropertyappraisal.com

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE

First, I am thankful that our congressional delegation is headed back home where they can do no more harm.  Since our Senators don't seem to want to have any townhall meetings so we can give input into this flawed health plan.  Be sure and track them down while they are on break if you can and have a little one to one meeting instead to make your opinions known.

Some of us at the Havre Daily Corrector have relatives in town or plans for Thursday on so this would be a perfect opportunity for thos of you that have a desire to share a "guest" editorial if you have the desire.  Just send them to our e-mail at   havredailycorrector@bresnan.net  and we will get them posted.  Real name or your "handle" is ok with us

I AM CONFUSED

Senator Testor was reported as saying he was not for "government" run healthcare on Wednesday in the Sidney Herald yet voted for that exact same thing on Saturday.  What is his true stance on the subject?   I am confused, is Tester confused also?    Check out the bill's contents on Senator Tester's site at  tester.senate.gov/health                                                                                            By Bill Vander Weele

Sidney Herald

All Montanans who wish to read the Senate’s health reform bill will have an opportunity to examine the contents.

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., told state newspaper reporters Wednesday that once he has the bill, a link will be established on his Web site, tester.senate.gov/health, for the public to read the proposal. The bill was released Wednesday night.
“We anticipate the bill any day, really any minute,” Tester said on Wednesday morning. “Once we get it, it’s all hands on deck to read and analyze it.”

Tester says what he’s looking for in the bill are affordability, accessibility, prevention and wellness. The senator also wants to make sure residents can keep their current insurance if they like their plan.

He noted doing what’s best for rural America is the key. “By the way, all Montana is considered rural America,” the senator said.

Tester said he’s not in favor of a government run health care system. But he’s not totally against having a public option if it can help people.

“I don’t know if it will be finished by Christmas, but my crystal ball has been foggy about this process,” Tester said. His guess is the bill might get off the Senate floor about the time senators adjourn for the holiday break.

He added it’s a challenge to educate the public completely about health reform now because there are different bills. “As soon as we can get the bill done, we can do some serious education.”

Tester shares concerns about the federal deficit, but he feels health reform will create jobs and reduce health care costs on a national level.

“Health care is an animal around the neck of businesses and families right now,” Tester said. “We have to fix it. It can’t break the bank of families in the process. That’s our challenge.”