Response to last weeks letter to the editor

The October 5th Edition of the Thermopolis Independent Record was full of useful, timely information and should there be a statewide or national award for local news reporting of newspapers of our subscription size, I would suggest the October 5th Edition be submitted for consideration.  We learned that we have a recognized prodigy debate coach in Lyle Wiley teaching in our High School,meaning our community is unique in having a gifted potential advisor on all community decision making processes, and we should invite his critique and continued periodic monitoring of our County and City Boards, not for critique of decision but for aid in process.  

Property tax was covered, what an issue!  The “Love Local” campaign by Main Street Thermopolis means a number of us Thermopolinos are going to win $50 over the holidays.  We read about pride in our school system, both academics and sports, care for our needy children, the debate over teacher turnover, ads reflect the nature of our community, and the Letters to the Editor page was full.

I would like to address the letter by Cynthia Garbin, which contained a misconception which I hope she and our community will appreciate.  The letter involved being a “newcomer” and feeling like you have found people of shared values.  It was wonderful, with chapter and verse references to faith.  Unfortunately, the statement: “If you censure, censure out of love.” in such a limited amount of text is not representative of traditional Wyoming values. “If you go elk hunting, go elk hunting out of love.” would be a much more appropriate statement and believe me, many Wyomingites share that sentiment. 

Wyoming traditionally values “engagement” and “censure” is the last thing on the minds of traditional Wyomingites.  Wyoming tradition is: “Is everybody getting through the winter alright?”  Sure, we may not stand for fart jokes at the dinner table by our young kids at each meal, but I don’t think that’s the kind of censure being forwarded.  We don’t censure, we don’t close our minds, we engage, that is Love, and this is how we traditionally have gotten through Wyoming winters.  “Censure” (and I would love to have Professor Wiley conduct a debate about this) is a brand new, and dangerous idea coming from those who are forwarding a brand new social and political agenda.  “Riding for the Brand”, for example, has traditionally meant riding for the people of Wyoming, not for a national political party platform, but some people are intent on changing that.  If a New Red Wyoming is upon us in the guise of a reimagined tradition, complete with loving censure and a Confederate Flag flying from the flagpole at the geographic center of this, the Equality State, (a 15-year reality so far) then sobeit, but traditional Wyomingites need to remind arrivals, we are the West, not the South, you can tell because our dinosaur museums don’t have cavemen riding the dinosaurs in them.  Yes, Chuck Gray may be the anti-Christ, but he is still our Secretary of State, and there is still hope for him, welcome to town this week, Chuck (I read about your visit in the local newspaper).

With love, great letter otherwise, Cynthia, feel right at home!         

Paul  Berry