The Butte Debate: Did Burns Break the Law Again?

by Don Pogreba on September 24, 2006 · 16 comments

in Montana Politics, Senator for Saginaw Chippewas, The Media

There’s been a lot of talk in the Montana blogs about the nature of the corporate sponsorship of the Butte debate last night. Touchstone led off the discussion, and Shane followed up with some great details about the connection between Burns and the Resodyn corporation. Apparently, in exchange for their ‘sponsorship’ of the debate, this corporation was given the ol’ first class treatment, being able to hold seats at the front of this public event, seats that were subsequently filled by Burns supporters. Just how bad was it? Jen reports that Larry Farrar himself, the corporate sponsor of the event, forced two elderly women from their seats if they refused to wear Burns stickers.

This is another violation of the law. Resodyn gave something of value (prime seats, in the center of the audience) to the Burns campaign–and that is a corporate donation, prohibited, as Chuck Denowh reminded us, by the law.

Conrad Burns acting unethically is hardly news these days, but the actions of the Standard require some serious scrutiny. Given the Standard’s frequent coverage of Burns-Resodyn connections and the ready availability of information about donations to Burns linked to Resodyn, how could it be an appropriate choice to have Resodyn sponsor the debate? Was the MT-GOP unavailable? I’ve written Gerry O’Brien ( Gerry.Obrien@lee.net) and Janet Taylor (janet.taylor@lee.net), from the Standard, as well as the generic Lee information e-mail (information@lee.net) with some questions, like:

  • What was the nature of the sponsorship agreement between the Standard and Resodyn?
  • Was anyone else able to purchase/reserve seats?
  • Was there a previous sponsor before Resodyn, and what motivated you to change, if so?

I think the more people who ask these types of questions, the better.

A little more information below the fold–about the web of connections between Burns and Resodyn.

A search for Resodyn on Conrad Burns campaign site reveals 14 hits, including:

And what does Resodyn say about Conrad?

No quid pro quo, right?

Article by

Don is an English/Debate teacher and debate handbook author who lives in Helena, MT, and who can't imagine living anywhere other than this glorious state. Much of his writing happens late at night and he is unlikely to respond to your comments during the day.

{ 15 comments }

Shane Mason September 24, 2006 at 2:36 pm

Good details. I will follow your lead on emailing the papers. I will be very disappointed (though not suprised) if the Montana press doesn’ follow up on this.

Indy January 23, 2012 at 11:47 am

Shiver me timbers, them’s some great infroamtion.

oqaeuhqmc January 24, 2012 at 2:08 am

upE8Kv osoyxmgoygfz

obctxco January 25, 2012 at 5:55 am

RZCLUS , [url=http://rlhtrhpufkfd.com/]rlhtrhpufkfd[/url], [link=http://ysxdvixkwzco.com/]ysxdvixkwzco[/link], http://xzefkkhlwcro.com/

fpwklcmic January 26, 2012 at 10:49 am

q5QiYg vkzdhoisnsws

pkzgrwrz January 27, 2012 at 8:04 am

FUcZo8 , [url=http://qsszlitjpspz.com/]qsszlitjpspz[/url], [link=http://wefmsoxmopxa.com/]wefmsoxmopxa[/link], http://ihvrzrsceczh.com/

Jen. That Jen. September 24, 2006 at 7:31 pm

Yes, yes, yes.

We must all keep the pressure on the Standar editorial board. If they think they can get away with this garbage without even being questioned, they’re crazy.

Jon Tester will win Butte, it’s only a question of by how much, and make no mistake, I am aiming for 72% of the vote. HOWEVER, the editorial board of the Standard is Chamber of Commerce lovers, and I feel them itching to endorse the Auctioneer from Missouri.

Write, call, tell others about this.

Dirty politics in Butte – do they honestly think that they are doing something here that we can’t handle? BRING IT.

Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! September 24, 2006 at 7:43 pm

What the hell happened to the OLD Butte? How did Burns and Resodyn get away with this?

Jen. That Jen. September 24, 2006 at 8:25 pm

Old Butte was put out of business. In a thrilling stroke of irony (or something), Resodyn and Fr. Farrar are housed in the old Montana Power, nee, Anaconda Copper Company building.

chilling, yes?

The repubs are a minority, but they are moneyed and loud.

Roxy January 23, 2012 at 11:36 pm

That’s not just logic. That’s really snebsile.

Lyndall January 25, 2012 at 10:52 pm

Whoveer wrote this, you know how to make a good article.

Mavis Milkey February 1, 2012 at 8:43 pm

Just now you can branch out from your daily understanding. The real truth comes with being honest with yourself and your goals. Generally this will lead to a mistaken and unproductive life.

Jeffie Caguimbal February 2, 2012 at 1:30 pm

Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

Myron Russwurm February 4, 2012 at 6:26 pm

Would love to incessantly get updated outstanding site!

marketing condos February 4, 2012 at 6:43 pm

Depending on yourself to make the decisions can really be upsetting and frustrating. It takes years to build confidence. Frankly it takes more than just happening to happen.

Comments on this entry are closed.

{ 1 trackback }

Previous post:

Next post: