Everything you know about Columbine is wrong

Jesse Kornbluth wrote in HuffPost today about Dave Cullen's new book, "Columbine." To read the column, go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jesse-kornbluth/a-disturbing-new-book-abo_b_180613.html

Two weeks ago, during spring break, Chris and I wandered into the Tattered Cover LoDo and discovered that Cullen was in-house that evening talking about his book. We found a few chairs in the back of a very crowded room.

Didn't take long to get very depressed. Everything I thought I knew about Columbine was wrong. Eric Harris was a psychopath, according to the author, and Dylan Klebold was his disturbed follower. Cullen bases his conclusions of a huge cache of documentation, including journals from both killers and interviews with law enforcement and witnesses. He's been researching this topic since it happened on a pleasant spring day in the Denver burbs.

I have not yet read the book, so this isn't a review. But after sitting there in TC listening to Cullen's talk, I sank into my chair, life's fragility weighing me down. How well do we know our kids -- really know them? Sure, Harris's parents could have done a better job keeping an eye on their son. But the kid got good grades and went to the prom just a few days before the massacre. He'd been in some trouble, but weaseled his way out of any major punishment. He was a fine liar. And a leader. That's what's so chilling. The kid next door seemed pretty normal. Never shot up the neighborhood or blew up anything up. Bombs? Guns? Never saw any.

Until April 20, 1999. And then it was too late.

All the President's books

On Friday, President Obama accepted a book from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The book was Eduardo Galeano’s "Open Veins of Latin America." Obama should read it, he really should. Galeano is an amazing writer. An outspoken leftist who had to flee right-wing death squads in his home country of Uruguay and more death squads under Argentina’s military junta. Galeano wrote his masterpiece "Memory of Fire" (Memoria del Fuego) while an exile in Spain.

Pres. Obama may read the gift book from Chavez. The prez, after all, is a reader. A writer, too. Reading good writers keeps the mind open, allows new ideas to permeate the brain and circulate freely. Allows you to consider new ways to do things. Chat with former enemies of the U.S., for instance.

Americans seem to have the idea that we invented the world. But the world was well on its way by the time we formed our democracy. Some 300 years of Latin American history had transpired by 1776. And a bloody history it was. In his book, Galeano tells short stories of the good and the bad and the in-between. The stories are compelling and the history, compelling and infuriating. How can humans make the same mistakes over and over again? So writers have something to write about.

I learned volumes about the history of this region from "Memory of Fire" when I read it in the early 1990s. As a writer, I was impressed with Galeano’s style. He did his research and transformed it into this book that was both personal and universal. Wikipedia described it this way: "It starts with pre-Columbian creation myths and ends in the 1980s. It highlights not only the colonial oppression that the continent underwent but particularly the long history of resistance, from individual acts of heroism to mass revolutionary movements."

He also prompted me to read John Dos Passos’s "U.S.A." trilogy, which documented our history in a similar fashion. Dos Passos documents labor struggles and war and politics through a variety of characters. He intersperses that with "newsreel" sections which document world events in the manner of movie theater shorts. It was a very original idea and ahead of its time. Dos Passos went from being a rabble-rousing leftist in the 1930s to a diehard Republican in the 1950s. People can change, can’t they?

"Open Veins of Latin America" has already shot up the book sales lists. I would like to see a photo of our president reading Galeano’s book. Sipping coffee in the Oval Office, his attention on reading. This photo would send out all kinds of messages. The main one is: "I read. I understand."

Gov Dave thought that April 15 tax protests "would be bigger"

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal held a press conference yesterday and addressed issues relating to state government budget cuts, trans-basin water diversion and Tax Day protests in across the state and the nation. He said this about the protests, including one that happened outside his office window:

“I actually thought that they would be bigger. This is not a state that has affection for the federal government on any day, and the affection on tax day is even less.”

"True Grit" gets new film treatment from Coen brothers

I make it a point to read Jenny Shank's Western Book Roundup at New West. Somehow I missed her April 1 post, probably because I was hobnobbing with a batch of visual artists over in Laramie. She wrote some good news about books-to-film:

Oh joy: According to Variety, Joel and Ethan Coen will make a film adaptation of Charles Portis’ Western classic True Grit for their next project, and joy of joys, it’s not to be a traditional remake of the 1969 John Wayne vehicle, but a version intended to hue closer to the novel. (I wrote last year about the charms of Portis’s True Grit in honor of its 40th anniversary.) The Coen brothers were at work on another literary adaptation — of Michael Chabon’s The Yiddish Policeman’s Union —but True Grit will now come first.

Joel Cohen told London’s Daily Mail that they plan to stick closer to the perspective of the14-year-old narrator, Mattie Ross. “The book recounts the girl’s story. In the John Wayne film, she was played older. We want her to be her real age - it’s her story!”

If there is a better match between filmmakers and book, I can’t think of it.

I second that, Jenny. First Cormac McCarthy and "No Country for Old Men" and now "True Grit." The New West of McCarthy and The Old West of Portis. Sorry to see that "The Yiddish Policeman's Union" is being rescheduled for later. But I can wait. A terrific book. The Coen Brothers will treat it well.

Almost ready for spring planting

WyoDems meet Saturday for elections

Bill Luckett, executive director of the Wyoming Democratic Party, announces this:

The Wyoming Democratic State Central Committee will meet in Casper on Saturday primarily for the purpose of electing state officers for the coming two years, Executive Director Bill Luckett announced today.

The meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Natrona County Agricultural Resource and Learning Center at 2011 Fairgrounds Road in Casper. The meeting is open to the public.

Positions up for election include chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer.

Also on Saturday, young Democrats from across the state (those 35 years old or younger) are invited to participate in elections for the Young Democrats of Wyoming. The Young Democrats of Wyoming will elect the positions of chair, vice chair, state committeeman and state committeewoman, all of whom will be members of the State Central Committee. That meeting begins at noon, also at the Ag Resource & Learning Center.

In March throughout the state, Democrats in each county met to elect their county officers for the coming two years. The county chairs, vice chairs, state committeemen and state committeewomen elected at those meetings comprise the State Central Committee, which will hold the elections in Casper.

Other members of the State Central Committee include the current state chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, national committeeman, national committeewoman, and with one representative each from the Democratic House and Senate caucuses.

FMI: Bill Luckett, (307) 473-1457, (307) 631-7638, luckett@wyomingdemocrats.com

Who were all those Cheyenne teabaggers?

One thing's been bugging me since I attended the lunchtime teabagger rally yesterday at the Wyoming State Capitol.

Who were all these people? I've lived in Cheyenne for 18 years. Sure, I hang mostly with Democrats and artists and writers and other nogoodniks. But I do know a lot of Republicans. I recognize Wyoming politicos of all stripes. There are several hundred employees in our division of state government, most of whom I recognize on sight. When I used to go to church on a regular basis, I was surrounded by folks whom I surely would now recognize, as my faculties are mainly intact.

I saw only two people at the rally who looked vaguely familiar. And I did recognize Dave the radio DJ who made one of the speeches.

Where were the state and local politicians? Where were all the right-wing rabble-rousers who yell at us leftists as we're staging antiwar rallies or vigils or holding up peacenik signs at street corners?

The article in this morning's Wyoming Tribune-Eagle featured a photo of an old guy from Lingle holding a sign. The reporter interviewed a couple from California who said they heard about the rally while passing through in their RV. They, of course, were wildly indignant about Obama and taxes and nearly everything else.

One of the speakers was a guy named Perry Martin who seemed to be in charge of the "Sovereignty Petition," which he displayed behind a booth that featured "Constitution Restitution" T-shirts and flyers for the gay-hating WyWatch Family Institute. I did not recognize Perry. You'd think I would have run into such a politically active fella during the past 18 years. Later, I met a well-dressed woman who was taking photos for WyWatch. I asked her where she was from. She said "Cheyenne," but I have my doubts (WyWatch only lists a PO Box as an address).

Who were these outside agitators taking over the Wyoming Capitol? Anyone know?

Top Ten Republican Tax Day Lies

This comes courtesy of Crooks and Liars:

Here, then, are 10 Republican Tax Day lies:

1. President Obama will raise taxes on small businesses.
2. The estate tax devastates small businesses and family farms.
3. 40% of Americans pay no taxes.
4. Tax cuts always increase revenue.
5. The GOP is the party of fiscal discipline.
6. Ronald Reagan was the greatest tax cutter of all time.
7. FDR caused the Great Depression, or at least made it worse.
8. Obama's cap-and-trade plan will cost each American family $3,100 a year.
9. Obama's tax proposals will undermine charitable giving.
10. The rich pay too much in taxes already.

Go to crooksandliars.com for the sordid details.

Scenes from a Cheyenne T.E.A. party

Angry citizens were lining up to sign petitions today at the Tea Bag Rally in Cheyenne. Sign a petition and get a red, white and blue cookie that read "Tea 233," the number signifying the age of the U.S.A. I got close enough to cadge one of the cookies, but felt guilty because there was no way in hell I was signing one of the petitions.

It was a few minutes after noon, and only a handful of teabags were steeping in the brine of outrage.

This trio of teabaggers were holding signs along 24th Ave., which runs by the Wyoming Capitol Building. I believe they were trying to goad passers-by into honking, but weren't having much luck. The signs read: "What would George Washington do?" and "Memo to Barry (a.k.a Pres. Barack Obama): 1. America is Judeo-Christian; 2. We don't bow to anybody!; 3. Give better gifts." The third sign read: "Save our auto companies -- get rid of the unions."

What would George Washington do? Probably go to the dentist, as dental care was sorely lacking in The Father of Our Country's time. I was a bit puzzled by the "give better gifts" part of the memo to Barry. Did I miss something on Fixed News? I do know about the bowing reference. As for saving the auto companies by getting rid of unions? Ha, ha, ha. Funny teabagger.

I like the juxtaposition of these two signs. The one in the foreground is held by an African-American on a cell phone. The one held by an old white guy in the background reads: "Deport!!! All Illegals! Close the Border! Preserve America."

Wandering through the crowd, I heard one grey-haired guy quip to another: "This is like spring break for old people." The average age of Tea Party attendees was about 60. There were some young people, but they were few and far between. Lots of men wearing "Vietnam War Veteran" and "Korean War Veteran" caps. Cheyenne is heavy on ex-military.

The gentleman on the right tried to put his "Bring troops home now" sign on the Nellie Tayloe Ross statue in front of the Capitol. And he succeeded -- for a few minutes. A dour gentleman came by and whispered something to the old guy and he reclaimed his sign. Maybe he said something like "Why do you hate the troops?" or maybe "get that sign out of here or I'll see that your taxpayer-funded V.A. benefits go away."

That's what I was thinking, looking at all the veterans and their anti-government signs. Who do you think paid your salary for 20 years? Who do you think pays for your health care? Just asking...

This was a very nice young mother who posed with her baby and sign. The other side of the sign said "7 months old and in debt." She was the one who really made me think. This is a huge debt burden we are leaving our kids and grandkids and beyond. Many of these people at the rally are genuinely concerned about their kids' future. They have enough gumption to go to the Capitol Building, baby in tow, to make a statement. Later, KGAB Radio talk show host Dave Chapman told the crowd not to blame the Democrats or Republicans or anybody else. Just look in the mirror -- and then take action. Dave's the guy who keeps us updated on road and school closures on snowy days.

Who can argue with that?

A guy and his tea bag hat

More signs of the times

Right-wing kooks on the march

A report from the Department of Homeland Security says membership in right-wing extremist groups may be increasing. Here are some of the details via an online CNN story:

Though the nine-page report said it has "no specific information that domestic right-wing terrorists are currently planning acts of violence," it said real-estate foreclosures, unemployment and tight credit "could create a fertile recruiting environment for right-wing extremists and even result in confrontations between such groups and government authorities similar to those in the past."

The report, prepared in coordination with the FBI and published April 7, was distributed to federal, state and local law enforcement officials under the title "Right-wing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment."

It compares the current climate the 1990s, "when right-wing extremism experienced a resurgence fueled largely by an economic recession, criticism about the outsourcing of jobs, and the perceived threat to U.S. power and sovereignty by other foreign powers."

It cites proposed restrictions on weapons as likely to increase membership in extremist groups and expresses concern the groups might try to recruit veterans.

The election of President Obama is cited as a key recruitment tool.

"Many right-wing extremists are antagonistic toward the new presidential administration and its perceived stance on a range of issues, including immigration and citizenship, the expansion of social programs to minorities, and restrictions on firearm ownership and use," the report said.

"Celebration of Wind" in Rawlins

The entire I-80 corridor, from Pine Bluffs on the Nebraska border to Evanston on the edge of Utah, is wind country.

Rawlins doesn't seem to be any windier than Cheyenne, but it is is adjacent to one of the largest wind farms in the state. The city is hosting its "Celebration of Wind" on Friday and Saturday, April 24-25. The event includes lectures and demonstrations on wind energy, activities in the schools, dinners, kite flying, weather stations, radio-controlled helicopters and display booths. Locations include Rawlins High School, 1401 Colorado, and the Depot, 400 W. Front St., and Carbon County Fairgrounds. Most events are free.

FMI: 307-328-9274, http://www.cchec.org.

Thanks to Nancy Sindelar's e-mail newsletter for this info.

More Earth Day activities April 18 in Cheyenne

The Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne will hold an Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sixteen organizations from around Cheyenne will be set up booths to inform visitors about conservation, recycling, wildlife, ecology, and other topics related to maintaining a clean and healthy environment for Wyomingites. This is an educational family event that will include a scavenger hunt and free t-shirts for kids, face painting, refreshments, and a bake sale. There will also be a cell phone recycling booth, so please bring your old cell phones!

FMI: Sue Castenada, 307-777-7021.

Earlier, hummingbirdminds wrote about an Earth Day Festival at the Cheyenne UU Church. The two venues are only six blocks apart. Catch one, and then the other. Both precede the actual Earth Day date of April 22.

Pres. Obama takes on student loan industry -- and it's about time

Reporter David M. Herszenhorn reported in the New York Times April 12 about the brewing student loan clash in Congress:

The private student lending industry and its allies in Congress are maneuvering to thwart a plan by President Obama to end a subsidized loan program and redirect billions of dollars in bank profits to scholarships for needy students.

The plan is the main money-saving component of Mr. Obama’s education agenda, which includes a sweeping overhaul of financial aid programs. The Congressional
Budget Office says replacing subsidized loans made by private banks with direct government lending would save $94 billion over the next decade, money that Mr. Obama would use to expand Pell grants for the poorest students.

But the proposal has ignited one of the most fractious policy fights this year.

I'm backing Obama on this one. The private lending industry has abused our trust. The whole system is out of whack and we need a new -- and better -- one.