February 2009

More Montana Meth PR Before the Rally: The Gazette Pre-Announces a Successful Rally!

February 16, 2009

Some of $245,000 that the Montana Meth Project spends on Public Affairs and Public Relations seems to be getting a workout this weekend. Kathryn Sabol offers an intriguing defense: Although it’s difficult to quantify, the fact remains that the Meth Project’s graphic, in-your-face approach resonated with the target audience. Young people reported being jolted, through [...]

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Montana Meth Project: A Simple Couple of Questions A Legislator Might Ask Before Giving Away Any More Money

February 16, 2009

How did the Montana Meth Project manage to spend $551,513 on  “Survey Fees” in 2007? Why did an organization that paid its executive director $130,000 in 2007  also pay $60, 516/year for “Professional Fund Raising”? What is Peg Shea’s current salary? Why did an employee who was listed as performing  one hour of work each [...]

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Should the Montana Meth Project Receive State Funding in Difficult Financial Times?

February 12, 2009

An obvious question, given the Montana Meth Project’s request for funding from the Legislature, might be to ask how they intend to spend the money. Using data collected from the Meth Project’s IRS 990 forms, I find it incredibly difficult to justify their request for more money from the state. Let me be clear: I [...]

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Why Pass Krayton’s Crazy Gun Bill?

February 12, 2009

While some (like county attorneys and sheriffs) have questioned the need for Representative Krayton Kern’s Wild West, Rootin’-Tootin Shooting Show gun bill (HB 228), the representative himself has finally offered a compelling reason: The thicker we can make Montana Code with laws that clarify and solidify our Constitutional rights the more difficult it will be [...]

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Since The Montana Meth Project “Expects” My Money, I Expect it To Work

February 11, 2009

In the current climate of reduced state revenue, maybe the marginally effective, if not downright counterproductive, Montana Meth Project shouldn’t “expect” to receive any more money at all: The Montana Meth Project expects to receive state money even though an Australian scholar has criticized the anti-drug campaign. Given that the director of the Montana Meth [...]

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There Might Be Life Here

February 9, 2009

My apologies for the lack of updates of late. The combination of a pretty intense workload and a hybrid strep/cold have sapped my energy lately. Reading some of what the Republicans are up to at the Legislature lately seems to be restoring my energy, though. Be back soon. Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend [...]

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Newspapers Aren’t Dying. Honest. Just Ask the Missoulian

February 1, 2009

I have read some ridiculous editorials in the Missoulian before, but today’s entry is epic in its breathtaking lack of subtlety and awareness. What topic demands the attention of the editor of the “largest paper in western Montana,” you ask? Why, the fiscal health of “western Montana’s largest paper”, of course. As measured by “western [...]

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