Page 30 - Flathead Beacon // 12.16.15

LIKE I WAS SAYIN’
TWO FOR THOUGHT SAME TOPIC, DIFFERENT VIEWS POLLS AND ELECTABILITY IN THE GOP
KELLYN BROWN
RANKING EVERYTHING
THIS TIME OF YEAR MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS begin compiling lists of “bests” and “worsts” and “most memorables.” We’ve already begun orga- nizing our own, which we will publish in our annual “Year in Review” issue later this month. Lists are more popular now, since just about everything is ranked.
In my inbox, I have a ballot from the Associated Press sent out to the state’s editors, who will choose the top 10 Montana stories of the year. Recently, searching for children’s books to give my niece, I Googled “good books for kids” and referenced a list of the 100 all-time best, according to Time magazine.
This time of year is heavy on lists for another reason. Children and adults alike are piecing together Christ- mas lists – although, the two look far di erent.
As a kid, my list resembled chicken scratch. I had an idea of what was a reasonable request and always feared asking for too much. Only those most sought-after gifts made the cut. It was always heavy on toys, especially Ninja Turtles, and each was ranked by desirability. As an adult, my list is a mess of names, potential gifts, potential places to get those gifts, and a general budget.
Now, lists that once only proliferated at the end of each calendar year have inundated the rest of it, which in my job results in organizations sending me rankings of our state, or city, or people on a weekly basis. Rank- ings, and so-called “listicles” are big business and often drive the news.
I’ve often wondered about the methodology behind these lists, since separate companies can vary so widely on how “happy” Montana’s population is or how “friendly” the state is to businesses.
More interesting is the topics these organizations decide to rank. Last week, an email sent from Comple- teCase.com caught my eye because of its subject line: “Divorces in Montana typically ‘cordial,’ study nds.”
The “study” ranked the most amicable places in America to get divorced. In case you’re wondering, Mon- tana ranked about in the middle of the pack. Divorces here are considered “cordial,” but not as good as in Ver- mont, which topped the list. Don’t get married in Ala- bama unless you’re sure of your decision. The state is apparently the worst place to get divorced. Although, as the study points out, “lawyers here stand to do rather well.”
In another recent list (one that is a little more appro- priate this time of year) ranked states by how charita- ble they are. I’m happy to report that Montana ranks a respectable 15th, according to WalletHub. If you want to establish a nonpro t, avoid Rhode Island, which ranked dead last.
If you’re planning on traveling over the holidays, you could do worse than driving in Montana. A recent study shows our state is near the bottom of a list that ranks the number of speed traps per 1,000 lane miles over the last ve years. If you are visiting relatives in Hawaii or New Jersey, you might want to slow down. These states top the list, according to the National Motorists Association.
For some reason, I’m also sent rankings that have nothing to do with Montana. Apparently, the best place to celebrate New Year’s Eve is Orlando, Florida, and the city with the highest holiday budget is Palo Alto, Calif. ($2,886).
My Christmas budget is quite a bit smaller, but I still have some items to cross o the list. And I’s better get back to it.
BY TIM BALDWIN
A NBC poll showed Marco Rubio is most capable
of beating Hillary Clinton in a general election, with Clinton beating Donald Trump and Ted Cruz and losing to Ben Carson by 1 percent. Once-notable can- didates like Jeb Bush and Rand Paul were not even mentioned in the poll: The media is picking their winners and losers now. So, what is Rubio about?
PBS reports Rubio’s stances: Rubio wants a bal- anced federal budget (except with military spend- ing); believes in non-manmade climate change; wants to replace Obamacare with less regulation and more tax credits; opposes net neutrality; wants immigration reform (meaning “amnesty”?); wants to cap corporate tax at 25 percent; and opposes same-sex marriage (and “will appoint” justices to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court decision).
Rubio recently advocated possible war with Rus- sia over the Turkey-Russia con ict. Rubio also shows ignorance on the need for criminal justice reform. War and police: two issues that a ect our national security and domestic liberty more than any other issue. Like Rubio, many conservatives are too eager to increase war internationally and increase police power domestically.
All of Rubio’s domestic policies notwithstanding, I predict Rubio would get America into more mili- tary con ict and embolden police tactics that under- mine our constitutional rights. Do Americans want this from a president?
BY JOE CARBONARI
Consider this possibility. Donald Trump and
Ted Cruz split the Tea Party-Evangelical votes and Marco Rubio bests Jeb Bush with the old-line, establishment Republicans. Rubio is young, but he is also smart, energetic, and well spoken. He served as speaker of the Florida Legislature and is cur- rently a sitting senator from that state. He is not innocent. He has been playing hardball for a num- ber of years.
John Kasich, governor of Ohio, is less charis- matic, but has age and experience on his side. He’s served in the U.S. House. He is well-informed, thoughtful, speaks directly, and inspires con - dence. He has successfully guided Ohio, a diverse industrial state, through a tough economic recov- ery. He is a realist, a pragmatist.
Kasich, however, lacks Rubio’s spark, and Rubio lacks Kasich’s seasoning. Factor in that if Kasich wins his state’s own primary, he’ll carry a lot dele- gates into a brokered convention. The same could be said of Rubio from Florida. Further, in the general election, Ohio and Florida can be huge – even piv- otal – so could the Hispanic vote. Much of Rubio’s support could come directly from Hillary Clinton’s. Down-ballot races could be a ected as well.
So Rubio increases turnout and, together with Kasich, pulls some moderate swing votes as well. Would it be enough? Rubio and Kasich seem to be among the “safe” Republican contenders, unlikely to lead to disaster. That’s comforting. Will it play?
GUEST COLUMN DAVID R. JAMES
PEDDLING FEAR HURTS THE UNITED STATES
the same refrain. Be afraid, be very afraid! The Syrian refugees are part of ISIS, they will wreak havoc upon us. And of course we have one candidate who wants to prevent these people from seeking asylum in our coun- try and also require all Muslims to carry IDs to iden- tify themselves!
Peddling fear, that’s what these politicians are counting on. These comments are not only reprehensi- ble, but they have caused a new round of stereotyping, hatred, and violence throughout this country. They do not re ect the lessons learned from the Indians and the pilgrims of the rst Thanksgiving. And further, this anti-refugee rhetoric actually helps ISIS by doing work for them. See, they say, we told you these Ameri- cans were evil! If Americans truly want to address ter- rorism, let’s start by discussing the 376 mass shooting deaths this year. Each event resulted in at least four American deaths. Compare that with 71 killed by acts of terrorism in the past 10 years. So being a little more understanding to human beings from the Middle East is not only a moral issue, it is a tactical and political one as well. By demonstrating prejudice and discrim- ination towards people who may be of a di erent faith, we as Americans provide recruitment material for our enemies. American citizens who spout this hatred have forgotten their American heritage of tolerance and giving – the fundamental principles of the season – and are hurting us all by aiding our enemies.
D
URING THE HOLIDAYS, WE ARE OFTEN reminded of the struggles and courage of the
pilgrims who came to our shores nearly 400 years ago. We remember the sacri ces and the perse- verance they made by leaving their homeland for the chance at a better life and the freedom to practice their faith as they wished. We also recognize the gracious- ness of giving of indigenous people living here. This story is part of the very fabric of our country. And yet, as I observe the rhetoric that has emanated from cer- tain politicians concerning Syrian refugees, I wonder if these “public servants” have forgotten the meaning of Thanksgiving in our nation’s history?
First we have our own lawmakers, Rep. Ryan Zinke, Sen. Steve Daines, a group of GOP legislators from Montana and our want-to-be governor Greg Gianforte, as well as governors around the nation declaring that we cannot allow a few thousand of these people in our country or state. Aside from the fact that these people have any say in this matter, refugees are a federal issue established by the Refugee Act of 1980. Now, these men, women, and children are to be feared because they may be terrorists. According to State Department data, 67 percent of those referred by the UN are women and children under the age of 12. So we are to be afraid of children? Of course, if one were to watch Fox News you would certainly get that impression.
Then, we have the politicians that wish to be pres- ident. Every GOP candidate for president is reciting
David R. James lives in Eureka
30
DECEMBER 16, 2015 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM