A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.

19 November 2015

Terrorists strike Paris — and strike fear in the hearts of Bozemanites

On Saturday football teams from Montana State University and the University of Montana will perform their annual ritual of sacred combat. Come earlier than usual, ticket holders: because innocent people were murdered last Friday in Paris, France, which is almost 5,000 great circle miles to the east, there’ll be extra security in Bozeman.

There are four possible explanations for this:

  1. There’s a genuine threat. A plot to shoot up the stadium has been exposed. Guards armed with tommyguns will blow the jihadis to kingdom come if they show up.
  2. It’s CYA time again. Better to be safe than sorry. And other cliches; take your choice.
  3. A good excuse for hiring the additional police officers the authorities and university administrators have always wanted for this game.
  4. Irrational fear.

I’m partial to Number 3. Squads of ISIS shooters won’t show up, but battalions of rowdy tailgaters will. And after the game, drunks will drive and start bar fights. It’s possible that Saturday will be quieter in Paris than in Bozeman.