The Montana Senator is apologizing for telling Montana firefighters that they've done a "poor job" at containing wildfires in the state.
Tonight, a Statement From Conrad Burns
“In retrospect, I wish I had chosen my words more carefully. My criticism of the way in which the fire was handled should not have been directed at those who were working hard to put it out. Without a doubt firefighters do the hard, tough job of battling one of Mother Nature’s toughest beasts. I have nothing but admiration for them and the work they do.
My frustration came from meeting with landowners who were critical of the way the fire was handled. Whatever the reason, I should have simply thanked those who worked hard to put out the fire.
I have since addressed my concerns to the proper officials about the way in which fires are handled. Please accept my apology for any hard feelings that my comments may have caused. I have the utmost respect for the job firefighters have done in Montana.”
http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/07/burns_apologize.htmlThe "altercation"-
HELENA, Mont. – Montana Sen. Conrad Burns, who is facing a tough re-election challenge this fall, confronted members of a Virginia firefighting team headed home after battling a blaze in southern Montana and criticized their work on the fire, a state official says in a report.
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“The toughest part of the conversation was the point where the senator was critical of a firefighter sitting across from us in the gate area,” Rosenthal's report reads. “I offered to the senator that our firefighters make around $8 to $12 an hour and time-and-a-half for overtime. He seemed a bit surprised that it wasn't higher.” .....
“He replied, 'We're fighting a war on terror and we're concerned about safety there too, but we're out there doing it,'” Rosenthal wrote.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20060727-1412-wst-burns-firefightercriticism.html