Comments on: Wait wait wait wait wait… WYOMING?!?

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:41:53 +0000

@snowman – the aircraft carrier was just hillbilly bait – an amendment maliciously attached to the bill by an ally who wanted to kill it. Since the sponsors were dumb enough to go for it, they get to be remembered as the idiots who wanted an aircraft carrier.

“Unbelievable” is a good word for Wyoming’s Legislature. Fortunately, things seem to be on a slightly better footing this year. No aircraft carrier studies, no anti-gay bills (yet!) and only one anti-choice bill that will almost surely fail. Finally and thankfully, the proposal to allow the sale of silencers in the state (for hunting, wink wink) failed in committee.

It’s not over yet, but things are definitely better this year.

By: Hyhybt

Hyhybt — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:05:04 +0000

“It would be great to have the “I DOs” timed at precisely the moment the geyser erupts.”—Seems like timing it for the kiss at the end would be better… but perhaps *too* precise.

Gay marriage in Wyoming? Aircraft carriers in landlocked states? I’m going back to bed and will try the computer again after lunch to see if it’s making any more sense!

By: Snowman

Snowman — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 20:38:59 +0000

@ Patrick: What the hell were they thinking? An aircraft carrier is pretty much useless without access to the ocean. I had to actually google that, because I found it so unbelieveable.

By: John

John — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:53:19 +0000

Civil unions is not the way to go. We have tried it here in Rhode Island because our state legislature figured it was the best they could get passed, without even trying for equality on marriage. Very few couples have gone for it. Today it is expected that an equal marriage bill will be introduced that our Independent (former Republican) governor says he would sign.

Also, people forget that in this country marriage is a civil issue and not a religious one.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:45:01 +0000

@cowboy – the FB page is a great place to start, as is Equality Wyoming, which as an email list. Like most political organizations in Wyoming, the best ways for finding out what’s going on are personal. That’s why I gave the FB page – it’s a really good start.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:42:51 +0000

@cowboy – it’s true that Teton county is a little more moderate than other counties, but Albany and Laramie counties (where Laramie and Cheyenne are located, respectively) are the seats for the majority of Democrats and Republicans who are sponsoring the 3 bills we will see this January. And a Fremont county Republican helped us sink the homophobic legislative proposals in 2011.

Teton also has the problem of the Star Valley, which is predominantly mormon and sent a local radio host (and BYU grad) to the Legislature.

The ultra-far-right counties are Natrona, Converse, Lincoln and Hot Springs (where a wacko pastor named Watt was elected last fall). We expect that legislators from these counties will waste their time/votes on idiotic bills that no one supports (like the aircraft carrier they wanted to buy in the 2012 budget session because they were worried about Obamageddon).

Most of the extreme right wingers are new and inexperienced. We will do our best to take advantage of that!

By: HG

HG — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:32:37 +0000

Bad idea. The union of the opposite sex is different in many, many ways from the union of the same sex. There is nothing unfair or illegally discriminatory about marriage. Marriage simply recognizes the union of a man and a woman and respects the differences that set this union apart from same-sex unions.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:01:15 +0000

There is ONE word in this sentence that makes everything make sense.

“Laramie Democratic Rep. Cathy Connolly filed legislation late Monday afternoon that would create a path for gay couples to form civil unions or get married.”

That word is LARAMIE and one should recall that is where Matthew Shepard was tortured and left to die. That area has seen a boon in support for our rights since that incident happened. It spawned the entire Angel Brigade against Westboro Baptist Church, which was a turning point in our history. I am not surprised that the areas leaders are involved with this law.

If it passes, along with Illinois, it would sem we are surely moving in the right direction.

By: cowboy

cowboy — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:42:24 +0000

Patrick,
Is there any other way to get the information other than via Facebook?

Also, The liberal atmosphere in Jackson can become somewhat diluted because of the distance from Cheyenne.

jpecdkjr,
Neat idea. The new visitor’s center at Old Faithful does resemble a church and the windows framing Old Faithful would be a perfect backdrop.

It would be great to have the “I DOs” timed at precisely the moment the geyser erupts.

By: Timothy Kincaid

Timothy Kincaid — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:41:49 +0000

Patrick, I admit that Wyoming has slipped from my radar. If you know of / hear of something we should present or discuss, please email me and let us know. Thanks.