Montana:  (including a "Missouri River Breaks Tour" leg)  / Summer '05

• National Geographic reported that the "Missouri Breaks," on the south side of the Missouri River in Montana, is 300 miles of some of the most population sparse areas of the country.  So once again, defying political logic, off we went into "No Man's (or Woman's) Land."
•      In Brockway, Montana (pop. 20), we campaigned at the Brockway Mercantile Store (post office, mini grocery -- including 5 cent ice cream cones -- clothing, hardware...)  The town of Brockway, we learned, has a "free range cow."  The story goes that the cow grazes on everyones' yards throughout Brockway.  I did notice the mercantile store didn't sell lawn mowers.
•     While in Jordan, Montana, I talked with cattle rancher Bob Gibbs.  He told me current figures show that in this part of the country, on average in a year, it takes 40 acres of pasture land to feed one cow -- unless, of course, you're the Brockway cow.
•      In Conrad, Montana, I was interviewed by the regional ABC affiliate news.  I said we were just an average family from Ohio who stood for common sense.
•      In Kalispell, Montana, I was interviewed by Channel 18 News.  I said our common sense platform calls for more organic farming.  I said many farmers are currently pumping all kinds of toxic, artificial chemicals (herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers...) into their fields.  In turn, some consumers are developing cancer.  I said common sense would indicate that we: stop using stuff that causes cancer!