Wyoming Democratic Party Daily News Roundup for 08/28-31/08 & 09/01/08
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Sep 1, 2008
***FORUM: American energy for the American people by Gary Trauner
“There has been a lot of posturing recently about the best way to secure America's energy future and, by extension, the strength of America's economy and leadership position in the world. Since the day I started running for Wyoming's lone seat in the U.S. House, I have been saying that the search for sustainable energy independence is the issue of our time. It affects our national security, our economy, our environment and the legacy we leave to future generations….”
LTE: Outsiders see state with fresher eyes by MARY LOU MARCUM, Cheyenne Pro-Trauner
“I am 71 years old and have spent many of those years in Cheyenne and consider this my home.…Many of us are here to absorb, to appreciate, to recognize, to celebrate Wyoming, to stand in awe of its vastness and emptiness, to respect its toughness and wildness, to worship its beauty and grandeur, to share its uniqueness, to understand the independence and strength of those who live here, and to give back by working and serving. Has Ms. Lummis ever considered that those who move to the state come with a better appreciation of what Wyoming is about than those who were born here? When I look up at the blue skies over me, I know I'm home. When I look out at the hills west of town, I know I'm home. When I attend a game at UW, I know I'm home. When I talk to a friend about our winds and weather, I know I'm home. When I read about the legislative sessions and the obtuseness of some of its members, I know I'm home. I'm sorry, Ms Lummis is all politics, and bad politics at that. She shouldn't try to smear Mr. Trauner (and the rest of us outsiders) with an old, used Cubin brush. If she can't deal with the real issues confronting our state and our country, then she should step back and let a real Wyomingite step up to the plate. Gary Trauner gets my vote!”***COLUMN: A view that holds us back by Chad Baldwin, Editor
News of my promotion as editor of the Star-Tribune earlier this summer has elicited dozens of comments, e-mails, calls and letters from old friends and even people I don't know from across the state. The kind words of congratulations were unexpected and gratifying. Some of the well-wishers have taken note of the news accounts that pointed out I'm the first Wyoming native to fill this job for many years. Comments such as, "It's about time a Wyoming guy was editor," or, "I'm glad to see a Wyoming guy get the job," have come from a number of people. Those sorts of statements can be read several ways. Perhaps the people were simply expressing pride in a fellow Wyomingite's achievement. Maybe they had seen past flaws in the newspaper that they perceived to have resulted from a lack of understanding about the state by the news staff. Taken to the extreme, the words could be interpreted as a declaration that no one but a "Wyoming guy" has any business being editor of the state's largest newspaper. At the time, I didn't give the comments much thought. But that has changed. The statement by Republican U.S. House candidate Cynthia Lummis after she won the primary election earlier this month -- the one that implied Democrat Gary Trauner doesn't have "rural values integrated fully into" his "soul" because he grew up in New York, even though he has lived here for 18 years -- has sparked considerable debate around the state. And it has prompted some introspection on my part. I address this topic not to beat up further on Cynthia. She already has said she regrets making the statement, and that it doesn't reflect what she really thinks. The problem is that, unfortunately, I suspect she simply articulated something that many native Wyomingites believe about transplants to the state. And it betrays an unhealthy attitude that in some ways holds our state back. There is, of course, an explanation for the notion that someone who isn't native to the state -- or who hasn't lived here for many years -- is incapable of being a "true" Wyomingite. The state's history is replete with examples of out-of-staters coming here to profit from our natural resources and then leaving. I grew up during the boom of the '70s and early '80s, when the "Wyoming Native" bumper stickers became popular. They were a sign that we felt we were being overrun by people who didn't give a darn about the state. It's still irritating when someone moves here and makes little attempt to learn about Wyoming, its culture, history and geography. But the fact is that most of the transplants who live in the state for any length of time stay here because they like the place. If they didn't put down roots, of course, the wind would blow them away (I can get away with disparaging our wind because I'm a native). One danger for the state is that distrust of or contempt for "outsiders" can lead to a closed-minded mentality that rejects anything that isn't "Wyoming" -- the idea that, by gosh, we know what's best for the state, and we don't need anyone to tell us how to do things. That keeps us from accepting ideas that might actually benefit us. Right now, though, the biggest hindrance to the state from a distrust of transplants is the fact that it discourages people from coming, and staying. We badly need more workers -- permanent workers -- to help our economy grow and diversify. We should welcome new folks who want to make their homes here, and show them why we think it's such a great place. Yes, I'm proud to be a "Wyoming guy." But a person should be able to earn that lofty title without being born here.
FORUM: Symbolism reverberates throughout convention
“…And then, there he was. A small figure in the distance, but unmistakably him. I could watch him on the big screen if I wanted. But I found myself wanting to watch the figure far in front of me, in amongst all the waving flags between us. That was what was real. What a speech. It was who he is. And it was what he will do. It was about the human spirit, what we are capable of accomplishing if only we choose it. It was pithy and funny, and grounded in the reality of what we face as a country, with the solutions he proposes. And it was about how we cannot continue the way that we have the past eight years. "Enough," he said. One word. Enough. And then there was that moment when he spoke of patriotism, and how we all love our country, and that nobody should question that truth. "Soldiers that fight together are not red or blue, just American. ... They have not served a Red America or a Blue America. They have served the United States of America." This is the America that I love. The one he describes -- I know that country. I believe she exists, underneath all the grime that we have heaped upon her. I believe we can find her again, and believed it even more as I listened to him speak. We Americans have so much more in common with each other than we sometimes realize. We are, after all, the lucky citizens of the greatest country in the world. The speech was over. There were fireworks and explosions of confetti, red, white and blue, like little raindrops sprinkling the sky. The Obama and Biden families took the stage. They waved, we waved. And then it was done. …”
FORUM: Plan looks backward instead of forward
“…This BLM Pinedale Resource Management plan is deficient in its approach because it starts with oil and gas instead of planning to balance the development of these commodities with human health, water quality and quantity, air quality and other land management concepts. We can live without oil and gas -- we cannot survive with out clean air and water; we cannot maintain our lifestyle without the wildlife, wild lands and small communities we all live here for.…”
FORUM: Cavalier Congress belies less crucial times
“…Unlike members of Congress, the rest of us have sure noticed the toll energy is taking on our lives and lifestyles. Farmers and ranchers input costs are soaring, while fewer and fewer tourists are making the long drive to enjoy Wyoming's unparalleled natural wonders. Washington's long spell of foot-dragging and missteps have had direct and painful impacts on all of us here at home. And that's without even counting the decades of abuse a lot of our best ranching and hunting land has already suffered to keep the rest of the country going. So it's a little infuriating to watch our congressional delegation knock off for the summer without moving to preserve policies that are actually working to curb U.S. energy use and bring renewable energy sources on line -- all while supporting a vibrant new industry that means good American jobs for years to come. Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso -- both of whom will be asking Wyoming voters for their continued support as they travel the state this month -- helped block efforts to maintain a successful package of tax incentives, credits and other measures designed to encourage commercialization of wind and solar energy technology. Rep. Barbara Cubin took the same stance, but she's not seeking re-election. This is bad policy, and plenty of other political leaders know it.…”
LTE: Choice proves senator's out of touch Anti-Barrasso
“In the Casper Star-Tribune, Aug 16th, Barrasso says Wyoming will support McCain. Let me tell you that I will not vote for him. I am a stone cold, left-wing liberal who would rather spend money on people than on military war equipment. Now if Wyoming goes with McCain, I pray for all of us. It will be a disaster for this state. Making this kind of a statement by Barrasso, shows why he is out of touch with the total of Wyoming. We will not all vote the way he thinks.”
LTE: Interest compounds by the second by Rich James of Rawilins
“This is a short rebuttal to the letter written by Nick Mandis in the Casper Star-Tribune on Aug. 24th. Mr. Mandis states that the Bush tax cuts helped me receive a rather large increase in my income and that the reduced tax cuts were because of the Bush tax cuts. Two things for Mr. Mandis: First, Bush had absolutely nothing to do with my increased income. It was generated by the collective bargaining process between my union and the company I work for. I am sure that Bush would be shocked to learn that he may have given a union man a pay raise since he is so anti-labor. Second, if he would bother to look, Mr. Mandis would find that the national debt today stands at $9,650,000,000,000 (that's trillion). When Bush took office the national debt stood at about $5.7 trillion. It is projected that the debt will be at $10 trillion when Bush finally leaves office, that is an increase of more than $4 trillion. Mr. Mandis thinks I should be grateful and not complain about the couple of dollars I get from a tax cut. Well, I am not grateful but ashamed that we as Americans would rather have a few more dollars now and have our grandchildren inherit this huge debt, but that is the Republican way. In the short time it took me to write this letter the national debt will have increased by $10 million, so enjoy your tax cut and have a nice day.”
LTE: Criticism comes in suspicious wave by MONA WHITE, Casper
“The Casper Star-Tribune letters and commentary page of Aug. 26 containing seven letters dissing Lummis was a piece of work. How did you manage to get all those letters into your mail room the same day and printed the same day? Aren't you amazing?”
LTE: Confidence moves enduring progress by U.S. Sen. JOHN BARRASSO, Casper
“It's Labor Day weekend and time again for the Jerry Lewis Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Over the years I've been struck by the generosity of Wyoming people during the telethon, by the good that is done by the Muscular Dystrophy Association and by the courage of the people with muscle disease. During the telethon you will hear stories of determination, hope and triumph. It will touch your heart. All across Wyoming, firefighters will also join in the fight. In every corner of the state, firefighters will be stopping cars and asking you to help fill then-boots to help Jerry's kids. Again this year, the telethon will be broadcast on K-2 TV from 7 p.m. Sunday straight through 5 p.m. Monday. Volunteers will be there to answer your call and take your pledge. Throughout the 25 years I've helped host the telethon, we've seen remarkable medical progress. We've also lost friends to the disease. There's more work to be done before we write the final chapter in the fight against muscle disease. As a political candidate, my ability to participate in the telethon this year will be limited. It has to do with television equal time laws. I will be watching and helping every step along the way. Please tune in the telethon and join us again these years in the fight against muscle disease.”
LTE: Edacious debt goes unnoticed by Mr. ROBIN ALEXANDER, Casper
“Income taxes have been lowered. The national debt has risen, now in the billions or trillions. Does anybody care?”
LTE: Activists litigate, stewards work land by CHARLES F. KIRKHAM Jr., Wapiti“…Judge Donald Molloy's preliminary injunction that reinstated Endangered Species Act protections will cause more damage, heartache, eventual famine and destruction than any other action could ever cause. Judge Molloy will have complicity in the greatest environmental catastrophe that will ever hit the Western United States. Hopefully, Sen. John Barrasso, our state's wildlife agencies and sportsmen's groups will be able to overcome this injustice before it is too late.”
LTE: Generalizations serve the duplicitous by BILL MAIERS, Casper
“In response to the Casper Star-Tribune claim that conservative candidate Barbara Cubin used negative ads in her 2006 campaign against liberal candidate Gary Trauner: Since when is employing a candidates own quotes in campaign ads negative? You would think Gary Trauner was thrilled to have his own words in ads for the final weeks of a campaign. Unless, of course, he had changed his mind on the issues to fit the electorate's mood. Every single ad released by Cubin for Congress was truthful and stated the source of its information -- a quote Gary Trauner made in public to an organization or media outlet. Don't words count? Should a person not be held responsible for his past remarks and views? To point out the conflicts in a candidates spoken or written views is not negative campaigning, it is informative campaigning. Is that not what the CS-T does every day?... This letter is endorsed by the Cubin for Congress 2006 campaign manager.”
LTE: Reality adjusts for confabulation by TRACI MATHIAS, Casper
“In response to Nick Mandis, of Casper, and his letter in Sunday's, Aug. 24, Casper Star-Tribune: He states we have much more money in our pockets under Bush than when Clinton was in office. Let's check the facts. Under Clinton we had a surplus, the first since 1972. We had Welfare reform. Food and utilities were affordable; gas was on average $1.73 per gallon. We had jobs and people weren't losing their homes. A bit higher taxes, but a strong economy and a balanced budget. Under Bush: a huge defense bill in an ill planned war, $4 per gallon gas, food 70 percent higher, utilities 50 percent to 70 percent higher, people losing their homes and jobs by the day. A credit crisis. His first year in office, he blew our surplus clear out of the water. Is this the GOP's idea of fiscal responsibility? The GOP is and always has been for the rich. They protect the big corporations of this country. Halliburton alone gave the GOP $1.3 million in political contributions in 2006! Could that be why they are in Iraq making billions on our tax dollars? With the Dems in charge we can afford to live in America! So with that being said, do we truly have much more money in our pockets?”
LTE: Candidate sees prosperous future by DAN POLZER, Casper PRO-Lummis
“Cynthia Lummis believes Wyoming has the solutions Washington needs to make America energy independent, and to get it done without sacrificing the environment. Wyoming's gifts to the nation include not only coal, gas, oil, wind, biomass, uranium, solar, platinum for fuel cells, helium for cryogenics and other resources, but most importantly its people. With technological expertise and the on-the-ground experience Wyoming can make energy independence happen for America. Join me in sending someone to Congress who believes in our values, our way of life, and energy development. Send Cynthia Lummis to Congress to represent Wyoming.”
LTE: Gumption finds the trail forward by AMY SWAN, Casper -- PRO-Lummis“Cynthia Lummis is the candidate that will best represent Wyoming in the United States House of Representatives. Her conservative values, legislative experience and love for Wyoming make her the choice for us this November. I believe experience is an asset and I am glad she can hit the ground running. She understands the unique needs of our state and will take her real Wyoming experience to Washington. Energy, the economy and the war are very important and we need someone like Cynthia who knows the issues and can get in the saddle and ride. Please join me in supporting Cynthia Lummis for Congress.”
LTE: Inconsistency hits constitutional right by Paul Wood, Casper
“I am writing on the subject of the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling on Tuesday, against domestic violence offenders right to bear arms. Please somebody tell me the logic behind this law….”
LTE: Non-issues patronize voters by JANE E. WOHL, Sheridan
“When I had lived in Wyoming about 15 years and after two of my three children had been born here, someone told me I was "almost a native." I know I will never be a true native, nor will my daughter who was not yet two years old when my husband and I moved to Wyoming. However, native or not, I care deeply about the issues that impact this state, and it pains me deeply to hear one of our candidates for the House of Representatives imply that the other candidate does not understand Wyoming because he is not a native, although he has lived here almost 20 years and both his children were born here. My purpose here is not to support one candidate or the other, but it is to implore both candidates to address the serious political concerns of the citizens of this state….”
LTE: Service defines Wyoming values by TIM GAUGHAN, Kemmerer
“Perhaps Ms. Lummis would be kind enough to let us "transplants" know where to find this coveted list of rural Wyoming values so that we can study hard and be lucky enough to have them "integrated into their psyche, into their soul," (Cynthia Lummis quoted in the Aug. 21 Casper Star Tribune). Everyone reading this letter knows someone, or might even be related to someone who was not born and raised in Wyoming and probably calls them friend or even family. Everyone reading this knows someone who serves on a board or commission, or volunteers in their church, volunteer fire department, or any other organization in their community who was not born in Wyoming and admires their involvement. Everyone reading this enjoys the variety of entertainment opportunities, festivals, music, food, and art brought to us in large part by the good folks who were not born and raised in Wyoming. And the common thread with all of these good people who were not born and raised in Wyoming is that they chose to live here and have assimilated into the culture of Wyoming, even though they didn't have access to Ms. Lummis' list of rural Wyoming values. An interesting statistic would be how many people "raised on the coasts or in dense urban areas" who transplanted to Wyoming by choice have served in elected office as town or city council members, mayors, county commissioners, state legislators, or as members of Congress like John Barrasso, as Gary Trauner so adeptly pointed out. And dare we not forget Ms. Lummis' mentor, who she is obviously trying hard to emulate, Barbara Cubin, is from California. I didn't know that having the highest absentee record of any sitting member of Congress was a rural Wyoming value. But then I haven't seen that list either. Regardless of your political stripes, anyone who is not born and raised in this great state and lives here by choice should be appalled that a person seeking the position of Wyoming's lone Representative in Washington does not appreciate or condone your values because they are not those secretive values that are only attained if you are born here. What's next? Can we expect Ms. Lummis to slap someone in a wheelchair if they ask a hard question? Do we really need a narrow minded Cubin clone representing us?”
LTE: Outsiders see state with fresher eyes by MARY LOU MARCUM, Cheyenne -- PRO Trauner
“I am 71 years old and have spent many of those years in Cheyenne and consider this my home. I graduated from Cheyenne High School and many years later from the University of Wyoming. I pay taxes here. I vote here. I shop here. I have family and friends here. Imagine my chagrin when I discovered, after the dirt Ms. Lummis recently threw at Mr. Trauner had settled, that I'm really not a bona fide citizen of the state because I wasn't born here. As I understand Ms Lummis' comment, those of us who were not born here don't have the same feelings for Wyoming. We don't understand it or the people who live here. Because we come from the East, the West, the North, or the South, we are outsiders -- we are less than those who were born here. Oh, come now, when did a Wyoming birth certificate become a pedigree? Ms. Lummis needs to change your viewpoint and realize that those of us who have come to Wyoming from other places are here by choice and, yes, our perspective is probably a bit different from Wyoming natives, but that's not bad. Many of us are here to absorb, to appreciate, to recognize, to celebrate Wyoming, to stand in awe of its vastness and emptiness, to respect its toughness and wildness, to worship its beauty and grandeur, to share its uniqueness, to understand the independence and strength of those who live here, and to give back by working and serving. Has Ms. Lummis ever considered that those who move to the state come with a better appreciation of what Wyoming is about than those who were born here? When I look up at the blue skies over me, I know I'm home. When I look out at the hills west of town, I know I'm home. When I attend a game at UW, I know I'm home. When I talk to a friend about our winds and weather, I know I'm home. When I read about the legislative sessions and the obtuseness of some of its members, I know I'm home. I'm sorry, Ms Lummis is all politics, and bad politics at that. She shouldn't try to smear Mr. Trauner (and the rest of us outsiders) with an old, used Cubin brush. If she can't deal with the real issues confronting our state and our country, then she should step back and let a real Wyomingite step up to the plate. Gary Trauner gets my vote!”
LTE: Political aspirations break down logic by THOMAS E. "TOM" DAVIS, Casper -- Anti-Lummis
“Imagine this: John Barrasso, who by accident of birth is a native of Pennsylvania, can represent Wyoming in the United States Senate. Imagine this: Gary Trauner, who by accident of birth is a native of New York, cannot represent Wyoming in the United States House of Representatives. Imagine this: Cynthia Lummis, who wants to represent Wyoming in the U.S. House, cannot think clearly.”
LTE: Campaign style only distracts voters by ERIN E. FORTIN, Worland -- PRO-Obama“Okay, so Sen. Barack Obama finally chose his running mate, his former presidential Democratic opponent Sen. Joe Biden, and Sen. McCain's campaign wasted no time in attacking Sen. Obama for his choice of Biden over Sen. Hillary Clinton. What if Obama had chosen Clinton? What would McCain attack then? Four (4) years of a Clinton White House? Give us a break, John. Wyoming has long been known as a Republican state; however, I hope as Wyomingites, we can focus on a candidate who can better lead our nation based on their stance on the issues rather than on who can smear their opponent the most….”
LTE: Talent comes in from entire nation by CLINT KOCH, Casper PRO-Trauner
“I wish to commend the editorial board at the Star-Tribune for the comments Friday, Aug. 22nd, regarding negative campaigning. I watch the first negative campaign ad -- after that I change channels or click the off button when one comes on. If negative ads get votes then I'm in the minority. My mother and father taught me if you don't have anything good to say, keep your mouth shut. Negative campaigning is a complete turn off and makes one wonder what the candidate will stoop to if elected! I find candidates who use the term "my opponent is not a native Wyomingite" most offensive. Let me explain: A candidate being from Wyoming and a graduate of the University of Wyoming is limited by not having exposure to the other states. Example: Malcolm Wallop, John Barrasso, Gary Trauner, all were born out of state, although they have spent 20 to 30 years living and working in Wyoming. This does not make them unqualified. When a candidate makes the statement "my opponent is not a native," it slanders all of us who are transplants. We were brought here to serve in various industries. I was brought in from California. Why? Because they couldn't find qualified help locally. The state chamber of commerce solicited workers from other states, spending thousands to bring help from outside Wyoming. Being born and educated outside Wyoming is not a detriment, if anything it enhances one's ability to see the national picture, which is what congressional and senatorial candidates are elected for. I want a candidate who can represent Wyoming and the national interests as well. That person may well have been born and educated out of state. It is completely safe to vote for Gary Trauner!”
LTE: Original ideas should matter most by JERRY SMITH, Buffalo -- Anti-Lummis
“…My daughter still has her "Chatty Cathy" doll from the '60s. You pull the string and hear the same old recordings. Now I read where Cynthia Lummis is spouting the same crap we heard two years ago against the same opponent. It seems that the voters put a stale loaf of bread (Cubin) back on the shelf and put another one in the cart (Lummis). They never checked to see how fresh it was….”
LTE: Permit drilling but with conditions by LELAND "LJ" TURNER, Gillette -- Pro Trauner
“I see Gary Trauner's comments on energy and wish to applaud them. Why should we export our oil so we can buy more? Keep it and use it here. Let that be a condition of drilling in some of the special spots of our country. Another condition for opening up drilling for big oil could be for them to drop a billion or so of their profits into expanding or building refineries. Seems to me that big oil and the Republicans' answer to four-dollar-a-gallon diesel is five dollar fuel. We need a long-term policy on energy that protects the consumer, not the producer, and Gary Trauner can do that. In speaking of energy, Mr. Trauner is speaking of issues, not birthplaces. Perhaps his opponent could do the same.”
COLUMN: Nader is still the crusader
“In a wobbly world, it's comforting to find a constant. One constant who visited Cheyenne last week was Ralph Nader, who remains at 74 an articulate, persistent anti-establishment candidate for president. I deeply appreciated Nader's efforts as a robust advocate for safe cars, having once owned a red Corvair with white leather seats. It was a cute car, and I loved whipping around town in it. But I didn't keep it long after a couple of wild rides on the highway demonstrated the remarkable instability of the steering system. Since then, Nader has remained at the edge of the national stage, still drawing the young idealists and irritating others -- the establishment others. They regard Nader as a troublemaker and wish he would go away. They claim the motive for his repeated runs for the presidency, an office he cannot win, is to get publicity….”
***EDITORIAL: Labor Day 2008: Wyo is fortunate
“There's good news and bad news for Wyoming workers this Labor Day 2008. First, the good: -- The state's unemployment rate is among the lowest in the nation. If you want a job in Wyoming, it's not hard to find one. -- Workers here are making more money. Data released Friday showed that Wyoming's median household income jumped 5.4 percent between 2006 and 2007, the fastest in the country, to $51,731. That puts us above the national average for the first time since 1984. -- Wyoming lawmakers are taking the first thorough look in years at the state's workers' compensation program, aiming to determine whether workers who get hurt on the job are receiving fair compensation and benefits.
-- Our personal tax loads remain amazingly low when compared with even other Western states.
Now, the bad: -- Much of workers' increased income is being eaten up by inflation. The annual statewide inflation rate topped 6.1 percent in 2007, the highest since the early '80s and higher than the national rate of 4.1 percent. That's not including an expected big increase in home heating costs this winter. -- Wyoming set a record last year for the number of workers killed on the job. A total of 48 workers died in job-related accidents, an increase of 33 percent from 2006. -- In much of the state, property taxes are rising significantly as home values increase. -- The state's earnings gap between men and women remains the largest in the nation….”***EDITORIAL: Wyo should drop unwise gun fight
“There may be some occasions when the state of Wyoming is justified in challenging the federal government in court. But before doing so, state officials would be wise to consider whether the issue is really worth doing battle over, and if there's a good chance of prevailing. It doesn't appear that state officials did such an analysis with regard to the federal government's objection to part of a state law that seeks to allow people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence to retain their gun rights. As a result, Wyoming has now lost twice in federal court. It's time to drop the appeals and change the law to acknowledge that disarming people convicted of domestic violence is a good idea. Convicted felons traditionally have been banned from owning guns, for obvious reasons. But in 1996, Congress expanded that ban to include misdemeanor domestic violence convictions. Wyoming responded by creating a process to help some of those people regain their gun rights, if they can show they've reformed themselves. When the issue came before his court, U.S. District Judge Alan Johnson of Wyoming correctly recognized that the state law violated the federal statute. He ruled in favor of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosions, which had rejected the state law. Last week, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Johnson's ruling. If Wyoming doesn't want to comply, its only option now is to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Fortunately, state Attorney General Bruce Salzburg said he's unlikely to recommend asking the nation's high court to review the case. The ATF is now armed with two federal court rulings in its favor, along with a big stick of its own. State-issued concealed-carry licenses let more than 10,000 Wyoming citizens bypass federal background checks for firearms purchases. If Wyoming were to persist in arming convicted abusers, ATF could stop recognizing the Wyoming permits. There is some irony in how Wyoming passed the law to restore firearms rights. It was sponsored by Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander, who contended some prosecutors were hesitant to pursue domestic violence charges against first-time offenders because of the "excessive" punishment. Giving reformed offenders a chance to reclaim their gun rights would make authorities less reluctant to prosecute domestic violence, Case argued. But the Legislature made a technical mistake in its law. It said domestic violence misdemeanors could be expunged for firearms purposes only, while remaining on file to enhance punishment for subsequent convictions. That's the provision to which ATF objected, and which two federal courts also have now found to be improper. In essence, if you're going to allow expungement for only one purpose, it's not truly an expungement, the rulings said. The Legislature could rewrite the law to allow complete expungement. That would get around the court rulings. But that would be the wrong approach. It would be irresponsible to completely cleanse domestic abusers' criminal records -- especially if the purpose is to let them buy guns. A national study by the Center for Gun Policy and Research found that women's risk of being killed in abusive relationships increases fivefold when their male partners have guns. Remember: This issue is not about protecting the gun rights of law-abiding citizens. We're talking here about people who have been convicted of violent crimes. Fighting the federal government is a good way to curry political points in Wyoming. When the cause is just, it may also be worthwhile. In this case, it definitely isn't.”
Nader stumps for better access for third-party candidates
“No other democracy in the world erects as many obstructions to voters and third-party candidates as the United States, including independent candidates for president such as himself, long-time social critic, consumer advocate, lawyer and author Ralph Nader said Thursday. During a news conference in the Capitol rotunda, Nader said that despite lack of national coverage by the television networks, his campaign has 6 percent of the vote nationally. This makes his campaign the No. 3 party in the presidential race, he said….”
Push to drill shouldn't hurt Wyo Range bill, senators say
LANDER -- A movement to expand domestic oil and gas drilling shouldn't threaten the success of a popular Wyoming Range bill, representatives with the Cowboy State's two U.S. senators said last week.
Wyoming rakes in cash from energy, investments
CHEYENNE -- While most states have seen their revenues shrivel in the recent tough economic times, Wyoming is watching its bankroll grow. Officials say Wyoming lawmakers will have to decide early next year whether to spend or save the extra dollars.
Residents oppose drilling proposal
CODY -- A proposal to drill the first new natural gas well in the Shoshone National Forest in more than a decade has drawn opposition from some nearby residents and an environmental group.
Invest and educate
College is an investment in a young person's future. But a student's college career can also provide an opportunity for parents to invest in real estate and thereby help pay for college costs.Household income leads nation
Wyoming's real median household income grew at the fastest pace in the nation last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.Ranchers split on mandatory animal ID
Wyoming livestock producers strongly favor an animal disease track-back program in the state, but deep division and uncertainty persists regarding whether such an effort should be mandatory.Officials study alternative long-term care facilities
Alzheimer's disease patients and their caregivers in Casper might have a new option for long-term care in the future.
Medicare offers assistance with prescriptions
“Medicare officials want to enroll more beneficiaries in the program's low-income subsidy for prescription drug plans….”
Assessor gives lawmakers' info to taxpayers
“Public officials in Natrona County are facing pressure and complaints from taxpayers about increases in property taxes, and the public needs to know where their money goes, said Rep. Roy Cohee….”
Wyoming delegation halved because of national sanctions
“Thanks to Vice President Dick Cheney, the Wyoming Republican delegates to the national convention always got good seats. But this year Wyoming was one of five states that broke the party rule against holding presidential primaries or caucuses before Feb. 5 –- Super Tuesday. The Wyoming GOP selected half its delegates and alternates at its county caucuses on Jan. 5 and the rest at the May 31 state convention. The national party punished the five states for going early by denying them half their delegates. This means the Wyoming delegation numbers 14 delegates and 14 alternates. As a result of the penalty, the delegation has seats near the back of the room with the delegates from the four other rule-breaking states. Delegates like Bruce Brown of Devils Tower believes the penalty was pretty well balanced by the attention the early primary brought the state from the presidential candidates and the rest of the nation….”
First Gas Well Propsed in Shoshone in over a Decade
Some local residents and an environmental group are opposing the application from Windsor Energy to drill a new gas well in Clark.“A record 48 people died in job-related accidents in Wyoming last year, up by a third from 2006. What seems to be a steep increase from last year's 36 work deaths is somewhat misleading, however. The Wyoming Department of Employment, Research and Planning says work-related accidents killed 46 people in 2005 and 43 people in 2004. The additional deaths from 2006 to 2007 were spread across several jobs types and industries. Transportation-related accidents accounted for 34 deaths, or more than 70 percent of 2007 total.”
Wyoming's Youngest Democratic Delegate Praises Obama Speech“Obama took the stage on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech. Willie Neal says he listened to Obama's speech with older generations of civil rights fighters. The eighteen-year-old delegate of Jackson Hole lingered around after the convention closed, soaking up what he calls the historic moment. It was impossible not to be inspired by that speech," he says. "It's such a perfect combination of not only distinguishing himself from John McCain, but also presenting for our new America then also describing a plan of how he's gonna bring us there. Neal says he'll work harder to register voters, not only Democrats, but Republicans as well.”
“Wyoming has gained 12-hundred new jobs in the oil and gas industry since April. Jim Robinson with the state economic analysis division says Wyoming hasn't seen that level of job growth since the end of 2006. “We haven't done anything like that in a while in that one special energy sector. Can we keep that number employed? " Even as more people got jobs in Wyoming, more were looking for work. Unemployment grew slightly but at three point six percent, it's is still among the five lowest in the country. "We're still at what I would consider to be a very healthy unemployment rate for the state." Manufacturing lost jobs in July, while construction and mining were the two sectors that saw the biggest job growth.”