Thoughts from the Middle of Nowhere

This just shows how Gov. Brian Schweitzer and the state's Democrats do not support the largest segment of the agricultural industry in Montana, cattle production. I guess the goal is to drive all cattle producers out of Montana if the weather doesn't do it first. For the record I am not a member or supporter of the Montana Stockgrowers Association, but an a member of the Montana Cattlemen's Association, so I am not part of what Gov. Brian Schweitzer believes to be some sinister, evil plot to block Stan Boone's nomination.

This also shows how vindictive Gov. Brian Schweitzer can be. Now he is going on a McCarthy style witch hunt against those Brand Inspectors who had the moral courage to oppose Boone's nomination. I guess freedom of speech isn't allowed in the Schweitzer administration.

Kill a man, and you are a murderer. Kill millions of men, and you are a conquerer. Kill everyone, and you are a god. Jean Rostand

Boone gets Senate panel endorsement

The Senate State Administration Committee on Friday sent the nomination of Ingomar rancher Stan Boone to the Board of Livestock to the full Senate with a "do confirm" recommendation.

The vote was along party lines, with six Democrats in favor and five Republicans opposed.

I wrote earlier about my opinion of the Stan Boone nomination. I see that Partisan Politics ruled the day though. Democrats,especially at the national level, supporting the lawbreaker and the Republicans opposing him. Opposite of what we are used to seeing from the parties. Usually all we hear from the Democrats is how some person broke the law and need to be opposed or ousted. I guess the old saying that power corrupts is true. Gov. Brian Schweitzer really screwed up on this one.

Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Lord Acton

I had heard rumblings about the problems Gov. Brian Schweitzer's appointment of Stan Boone to the Montana Board of Livestock and now these rumbles are hitting the mainstream. It appears that not only did Stan Boone flout Montana State Brand Laws, he threatened the life of a brand inspector serving him citations for the infractions.

Of course Stan denies the allegation of threatening the brand inspector but does admit to violating the brand inspection laws. I've also heard rumbles about his not getting the proper marketing certificates when shipping stock to a livestock auctions. I will repeat that this is sheer rumor but to me it fits right in with his violation of the brand inspection laws.

What really struck me is the report that most of the Brand Inspectors in the State signed a letter opposing Stan Boone's appointment to the Board of Livestock. Now employees that sign a letter opposing someone who is going to be one of their bosses makes a pretty strong statement and ought to be listened to.

Montana's brand laws are some of the strongest in the nation and can be used for tracking animals for disease purposes just like the government wants with NAIS. R-calf and other organizations would rather see a nationwide system using Montana brand laws over the high tech NAIS system dreamed up by the USDA. Any person who knowingly violates these laws should not hold a position of trust on the Montana Board of Livestock. It's flat wrong. If Stan Boone had an ethical bone in his body he would withdraw his name from consideration after the brand inspectors letter opposing him came to light. I'm sure he won't but I hope the Senators do the right thing and oppose his appointment. There are plenty of good ethical cattle operators in the state to fill this position and I really wish Gov. Brian Schweitzer would appoint one of them. Why he settled on a person like Boone is beyond me.

Homo sapiens, the only creature endowed with reason, is also the only creature to pin its existence on things unreasonable. Henri Bergson