But then we went to our usual Sunday morning breakfast at Perkin’s, at which I read The Billings Outpost and find out that our Mr Crisp has been working away at The Outpost, and visiting up in Great Falls at Electric City Weblog, at which foolish comments are not suffered gladly, and at which they are much interested in the truth of the matter under discussion. Of course, David was not well received.

So, then he comes back to the Outpost to give his closing argument concerning the effect of radio hosts’ conservative rhetoric on the weak minds of their listeners—apparently, in Mr Crisp’s dictionary the word ‘rhetoric’ is usually a bad word in itself, approaching the use of the ‘N’ word, and almost as bad as using the noun ‘Democrat’ instead of the adjective ‘Democratic’ when describing the Party. But there may actually be some good ‘rhetoric’ to which conservatives can only forever aspire to. It’s hard to tell in the heat of the quickly written editorial:

‘My theory is that conservative talk radio does, in fact, make the world a more dangerous place. The ideology isn’t to blame; the rhetoric is. Here you find methods of argument that would have to rise several grade levels to be considered juvenile. Limbaugh, for example, constantly refers to the “Democrat Party” instead of the party’s actual name of “Democratic Party.” Belittling someone’s name is a rhetorical technique most of us have outgrown by age 6.’

The ideology is OK I guess but the rhetoric is at fault. Hmmm. I am guessing that Mr Crisp’s main purpose in writing his editorial was to offer up his contribution in order to muzzle his conservative opponents, a tactic and strategy that has come to the fore as the Left runs out of ideas and effective arguments against those on the Right.

The last sentence of the editorial shows the fist: ‘But they had better,’ referring to lessons that conservative talk radio people must learn.

Congratulations to all of the winners and thanks for making Billings a better place to live by sharing your gifts.

•Sturgis Motorcycle Rally attendees and fans get ready for the big event at the Warm Up Rally, an event sponsored by the Billings Motorcycle Club. Gates open at 10 a.m. for a busy day of events, including a poker run, bikini bike wash and KickinPromo Girls, a vintage bike show at 3 p.m., and live music by Black Velvet at 11 a.m. and South Carolina’s D.B. Bryant Band at 4 p.m. MetraPark. Free admission.

•Beartooth Harley-Davidson/Buell holds a warm-up for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally open to everybody with live music by D’Tective and burgers, brats and drinks from the Powderhorn Lounge. Noon to 5 p.m., 6900 S. Frontage Road. Free admission.

Saturday & Sunday
•Rangers lead hour-long interpretative tours on a half-mile loop through Pictograph Cave State Park. 10 a.m. and noon, Saturdays and Sundays through August. Free, with no reservations required.

Check out the Billings Outpost’s Calendar of events for more activities around the area.