Who out-crazied who -- or whom -- in last night's Wyoming gubernatorial debate?

I was pleased to see 40-some people last night at Music & Poetry at Metro Coffee Company in downtown Casper. They had so many other choices: Sharknado II reruns, bicycling, drinking, canoodlling, riding the rapids on the North Platte, napping, The Internet, etc. Perhaps the biggest conflict took place last night in Riverton, where the three Republican gubernatorial candidates were duking it out. The debate was aired on Wyoming Public Radio.

I listened to none of the debate.  I was preparing my work to be read aloud in public. And we had a fine time right there at Metro, with Chad Lore performing his own humorous songs and then cutting loose with with some Dylan and a rollicking version of "St. James Infirmary Blues."

According to WyPols, two of the three Repub Gub candidates did their best to out-crazy one another. Who won?  

So who out-crazied who in this debate? It’s tough to call a winner, because both Haynes and Hill both worked so hard for the title. But our money is on the superintendent, if only for this nonsensical answer she gave about whether she would ever support same-sex marriage: 

“Marriage is between a man and a woman, period. We have sisters and brothers, moms and dads, and aunts and uncles, and sons and daughters, and we all have to work together and live together, and it’s critical. Marriage is between a man and a woman.”

Huh?

Leader of Fremont County Dems and Rep. Tim Stubson to spar over Vacation Theft Act

This bit of news comes from the Fremont County Democrats:

Monday at 8 AMish, Fremont County Democratic Party Chair, Bruce Palmer, will be on radio KVOW AM 1450 talking with John Vincent about the Enrolled Act 37, the Vacation Theft Act. Also scheduled to appear is the bill's sponsor, Representative Tim Stubson.

It should be interesting hearing Rep. Stubson explain why taking a workers earned, accrued vacation is actually positive for the worker.

Don't think we can get KVOW in Southeast Wyo. Try this Internet link.

For some background from a Dem POV, read Pete Gosar's "An Unprovoked Attack on Wyoming Workers" in today's Star-Trib. 

Sam Western will deliver keynote at Wyoming Democrats' annual Roosevelt-Kennedy dinner

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Social security Act on Aug. 14, 1935. Social Security is one of the many government programs that Democrats (Barack Obama and Joe Biden) work to protect and Republicans (Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan) want to eliminate and/or privatize, which is essentially the same thing.

Janel Korhonen-Goff, compliance director of the Wyoming Democratic Party, sends this info:

What: Central Committee Meeting and Roosevelt-Kennedy Dinner (formerly Jefferson-Jackson) with keynote address from noted author and Economist magazine and wyofile correspondent Sam Western, author of Pushed Off the Mountain, Sold Down the River: Wyoming's Search for its Soul. 

When: September 29, 2012

Central Committee Meeting 2-4 pm Cocktail Reception 6 pm Dinner 7 pm

Where: Riverton Holiday Inn Convention Center; 900 E. Sunset Blvd., Riverton, WY 82501, 800-315-2621

Cocktail Reception-$25
Dinner-$75
Combined-$90

Discounted room rates are available both Friday and Saturday nights by calling the 800 number above. Reservations can be made online at: http://www.wyodems.org/event/state-central-committee-meeting-roosevelt-kennedy-dinner

For those who would prefer to pay-at-the-door, we've created a convenient form, which allows us to keep track of reservations (click to go to link): 2012 Roosevelt-Kennedy Dinner

Please feel free to call the office at (307) 514-5282, Robin at (307) 213-9633, or Janel at (307) 277-1228 with any questions, comments or concerns.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Wyoming Farmers' Market Conference set for April 27-29 in Riverton

Here's a sign that farmers' markets are really taking off in Wyoming (thanks to Nancy Sindelar's newsletter for the listing):

Friday-Sunday, April 27-29, Riverton: Wyoming Farmers Market Conference. Three tracks of programming for farmers, market managers and vendors. 10 AM Friday, Market Manager Certification, 8 AM Saturday, Seminars, Holiday Inn, 900 E. Sunset Blvd. 9 AM Sunday, High Tunnel Workshop, Riverton Fairgrounds, 1010 Fairgrounds Rd. Info & RSVP: wyomingfarmersmarkets.org, Brook, 777-5612, brook.gerke@wyo.gov, Renee, rking10@uwyo.edu, Linda, 777-6592, linda.stratton@wyo.gov. Cost: $25-100, 75% scholarsips available.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events celebrate diversity & equality across The Equality State

From Dan Neal at the Equality State Policy Center:

State residents will celebrate Martin Luther King Day with in communities across Wyoming including in Riverton where Rez Action, a group working with the Equality State Policy Center, plans a march and speeches by three leaders of the Wind River tribes. 

“We invite all those who want to celebrate equality to march with us to honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” a news release from the organizers says. “We march in celebration of equality and Dr. King’s vision of ‘that all of us will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.’” 

Other events are planned in Laramie and Casper. 

Tribal members Micah Lott and Molly Holt are two of the Rez Action members staging Monday’s “Embrace Equality Celebrate Diversity” event in Riverton. Participants will rendezvous at 1 p.m. at City Park for the march to City Hall. State Rep. Patrick Goggles, the House minority leader who represents HD33, will speak as well as former state representative Scott Ratliff, now an special assistant on Native American issues to U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, Northern Arapaho tribal liaison Gary Collins, and Riverton activist Cody Green. 

For information, please contact Micah Lott at 307-851-1344 or micah.lott93@gmail.com. Rez Action members describe the group as an organization of “dedicated activists who fight social injustice, discrimination, and advocate for a healthy environment.” 

The Casper NAACP will host the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day March and Rally starting at 11 a.m. at Casper’s City Park at Center and 7th streets. Marchers will walk to the United Methodist Church downtown. Eastern Shoshone Tribal elder Ivan Posey will speak. Members of the Wind River Unity Youth Council will participate as dancers with the Scout River Drum Group. Following a soup lunch at the church, the Unity group will conduct a workshop at 1 p.m. In Casper, contact Nurieh Glasgow at 234-3428 or Janet de Vries at 268-2446 for more information. 

A third march is planned on Jan. 16 in Laramie. Marchers will walk from the Albany County Courthouse to the University of Wyoming Student Union starting at 4 p.m. followed by a supper in the union ballroom. As part of its Martin Luther King Jr./Days of Dialogue, actor Hill Harper will speak at 1 pm. Jan 18 at the Wyoming College of Arts and Sciences auditorium. A full schedule of events is available here. 

In Cheyenne, a march is planned at Noon from the old Union Pacific Railroad Depot up Capitol Avenue to the state Capitol. Gov. Matt Mead and Mayor Rick Kaysen will speak along with State Auditor Cynthia Cloud, and State Supt. of Public Instruction Cindy Hill. The march is being organized by the Love and Charity Club. Contact moderator Rita Watson at 307-632-2338 for more information.