Wintry mix in Cheyenne for Farmers' Market

Trekked over to the Cheyenne Winter Farmers' Market this morning. It was getting toward lunch and I was hungry for something -- but what?

Chocolate-covered bacon. Please, I'm not Elvis. But I tried some from the guy at Cheyenne's Pioneer Barbecue. It was damn good. I was hungry, so maybe that was the difference. I bought a packet for five bucks. Let's see how it goes with tomorrow's Super Bowl and some New Belgium Ranger IPA.

Cholesterol bombs aside, my goal for today's sojourn were some grass-fed steaks and mushrooms and whatever else might be good for my wife's birthday dinner on Sunday. This is a pre-birthday bash, as her actual date is on Feb. 8. But we're tying it in with the Super Bowl. On her birthday, we'll go to McDonald's. Chris, if you're reading this, I'm just kidding. Really.

I ran into Jeff Tish, a staffer at the Historic Depot who is hard at work on stagecraft for an upcoming play at the WYO Theatre in Sheridan. He also designed the stage for an upcoming show at the Bas Bleu Theatre in Fort Collins. Jeff also co-owns a custom furniture biz in Cheyenne.

I sampled some baked goods at Suzanne's Kitchen and picked up a few mega Bavarian pretzels at the Frank's Famous Kitchen booth. I bought some ribeyes at Meadow Maid in Yoder and cadged some mushrooms from the mushroom guy who lives in a  cave outside Fort Collins. Note to self: recharge my propane tank in the a.m.

I don't always have the dough to shop at the farmers' market. But I think it's important to support local food growers and bakers and artists. I'm learning something, too. Yes, chocolate-covered bacon is not exactly the food you want as poster child for the local food movement. Local broccoli grown in a high tunnel out on the windswept prairie is probably a better choice. But there is artistry involved in making food. I didn't ask the purveyor if the cattle was local and grass-fed. But he came up with the idea and made the darn thing. He's the artist in this equation.

These are fun events. That's what it comes down to. Food and fun.

Next Cheyenne Winter Farmers' Market is on Saturday, March 5. That day, you can get good food and then go over to the Laramie County Public Library for its used book sale. If we're in luck, it might be a good day to read and picnic outside.

In "Easy to Love but Hard to Raise," parents tell their stories

I'm pleased to have my work included in Easy to Love but Hard to Raise, a book from DRT Press set for an October release. Editors are Adrienne Bashista of Pittsboro, N.C., and Kay Marner of Ames, Iowa. Both are accomplished writers and editors who have experienced struggles in raising their own children. I have been impressed by their thoroughness and kindness. It's evident in their own essays and in their dealings with writers. My snarky self had a hard time with it, at first. One thing I learned early on as a parent with a son diagnosed with ADHD and a daughter with PBD and ADD -- wear your armor when you venture out into the world. My armor is my sharp tongue and, when that fails, scathing wit, to dull the cold hard stares and even colder and harder words of people who don't understand.

It's been a pleasure to work with Kay and Adrienne. Looking forward to the book. Here's some info the editors just posted on the brand new Easy to Love but Hard to Raise blog:

This blog got its start with the book: Easy to Love but Hard to Raise: Real Parents, Challenging Kids, True Stories (DRT Press, October, 2011). Contributors to this blog are connected to the book in some way: they sent in essays, offered their expert advice, or lent helpful thoughts and useful advice.

But our hope for this blog goes further than simply giving our book a presence on the Internet : we’d like our space to be a safe, kind, and understanding resource for anyone raising a child who is easy to love, but difficult to raise. We are here to support, share stories, commiserate, give tips, and provide safe haven for anyone parenting children impacted by ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), PBD (Pediatric Bipolar Disorder), OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder) or any other situation the takes the already difficult job of parenting and adds to challenge.

Blowing in the Wyoming Wind: This year, read the Holy Book...ours AND theirs!

Pleased to see that Rodger McDaniel, voice of spirituality and tolerance in Cheyenne, has a new blog, Blowing in the Wyoming Wind. Today he blogs about a series of study sessions, "Major Themes of the Quran," which will be conducted each Saturday through March 19, 10:30 a.m.-noon, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3005 Thomes Ave. This is a partnership between the UU Church and the Southeast Wyoming Islamic Center. Also a partnership against ignorance. Go to:

Blowing in the Wyoming Wind: This year, read the Holy Book...ours AND theirs!: "“Say: We believe In God, and in what Has been revealed to us And what was revealed To Abraham, Ishmael; Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes, And in..."

Democrats hold Legislative Reception Feb. 25 at Deselms Fine Art in Cheyenne

The Wyoming Democratic Party and the Laramie County Democrats will hold a Legislative Reception on Friday, February 25, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Deselms Fine Art and Custom Framing on 17th Street in Cheyenne (the old Whipple House).

Meet your Democratic legislators and celebrate political diversity in The Equality State. View some fine art, too, at Harvey's spacious new place..

For more information, please contact Linda Stowers at 307-634-0768.

Guest blogger: I am not "an abomination." I am Wyoming.

This "Letter to the Community" was written by Cheyenne's Troy Rumpf and posted on Facebook. It appeared in this morning's Wyoming Tribune-Eagle under the headline "Legislative actions against gays are 'simple bigotry.' " It's poignant and angry and exceedingly well-written. That's no surprise. Troy is a multi-talented actor, director, writer and PIO. He is also a great human being. I asked -- and he gave permission -- for me to reprint his letter. So here's Troy's guest blog:

I am not “dry rot.” I am not “incapable of making policy decisions.” I am not “an abomination.”

Who I am is a tax-paying professional, a guy who grew up in Wyoming, a man who has spent years volunteering for social agencies and serving on boards to help improve our community and our state, someone who has been in a monogamous relationship for 15 years, a person who happens to be born gay.

Let me begin by saying how grateful I am to the many in our Legislature who continue to take the time – regardless of party – to consider issues thoughtfully and vote against discrimination and hate.

The absolute vitriol from many other legislators and the horrific lies told by some of their supporters are shocking in their ignorance, and simultaneously not terribly unexpected. I question whether many of these people took the time to research the issues with legitimate sources, to talk with people in the gay community, to get a real feel for the impact of these decisions outside the confines of their own comfort zone.

It seems so hypocritical to hear regular usage of the phrases “this is the Equality State” or “Republicans are in favor of less government.” These words are empty and meaningless to those that are anti-gay, unless they want to use them for their own self interests.

This isn’t about homophobia – it’s not as if these people are afraid of those who are gay. Let’s call it what it is: it’s discrimination; it’s about hating a group of people in the community; it’s simple bigotry.

Believe it or not, there are gay people in all walks of life in Wyoming, impacting you in numerous positive ways. They are legislators, chefs, executives, nurses, politicians, librarians, truck drivers, doctors, teachers, construction workers, lawyers, administrators, and more. Many of them you probably don’t even know are gay, and you would never think of trying to hurt them when you know them directly. It seems that people only find their hatred when they deal with “gay people” as an abstract idea.

Gay people are not a stereotype, and it’s the stereotype that scares the bigots. We need to change this way of thinking, and you can see that younger generations are even more willing to understand the folly of discrimination. We can and must work together – straight and gay alike – to find true equality for the citizens of our great state.

We are individuals. We are people with much to contribute to society. We are Wyoming.

Whopper storm as seen from outer space

Big storm as seen from GOES-13 via NOAA: I'm down there somewhere, off to the left (as usual).

Next Cheyenne Winter Farmers' Market Feb. 5

The next Cheyenne Winter Farmers’ Market will be held this Saturday, Feb. 5, inside at the Historic Downtown Train Depot, Cheyenne. Times are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Featuring local foods grown, raised or created within 150 miles.

Here are some of the offerings:
Local Honey
Jams & Jellies
Fruit Butters
Winter Squash
Pumpkins
Chili
Cupcakes
Sauces
Bar-B-Que to-go
Beef
Bison
Chicken
Lamb
Turkeys
Tamales
Tortillas
Salsa
Empanadas
Winter Garden Produce
Farm Fresh Eggs
Gourmet Mushrooms
Wyoming-made Baked Goods
Cakes and Pies
Soups and Chowders
Roasted Coffee
Gourmet Pasta
Smoked Turkey
Handspun Yarns
Hand Knitted Garments
Natural Skin Care
Glass Gift Items
Handmade Jewelry
Tole painted items
And More...

Sponsors: Wyoming Business Council, Cheyenne Depot Museum, Wyoming Farmers Marketing Association, Wyoming Community Network and Individuals who support the local food movement.

FMI: 307.649.2430

Thank China's Cnooc for bringing some better-paying jobs to Wyoming

So, some of that money that we paid for Chinese-made gewgaws at Wal-Mart is finding its way back to Wyoming and Colorado. And the jobs that this overseas investment spawns are a cut above the pay scale of most Wyoming jobs, including those in state government. Here's a story from today's Denver Post:

Cnooc, China's largest offshore energy producer, has agreed to pay $570 million in cash for a one-third stake in Chesapeake Energy's Niobrara shale project in Colorado and Wyoming.

The deal is expected to accelerate drilling and job growth in the region, potentially adding as many as 1,600 direct jobs and a larger number of support jobs.

Cnooc also agreed to pay as much as $697 million, up to two-thirds of Chesapeake's costs to drill and complete wells in the area, the companies said Sunday.

--Snip--

The average pay for a rig employee, Dill said analysis has shown, is about $79,300. Jobs indirectly related to the rigs, such as pipe handlers and suppliers, pay about $64,000. Community-level support jobs on average pay about $36,400.

Those "community-level support jobs" no doubt include some of the better positions at Wal-Mart.

Median pay for various Wyoming jobs, according to payscale.com:

Project Manager, Construction, $61,865
Executive Director, Non-Profit Organization, $52,029
General / Operations Manager, $55,500
Retail Store Manager, $38, 194
Registered Nurse, $52,846
General Manager, Hotel, $46,500
Operations Manager, $50,000

Now if we can only figure out ways to ship more coal to China through Washington State we'll be set for life (although the planet will be worse off).

Read more at http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_17254746#ixzz1CljTRAzF

M.L. Liebler and Peter Lewis bring music the art of the spoken word to Cheyenne Feb. 26-28

Detroit author and performance poet M.L. Liebler and L.A. musician Peter Lewis, one of the founding members of Moby Grape, will perform at the Historic Atlas Theatre in downtown Cheyenne on Saturday, Feb. 26. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $5, $3 for students, military and seniors. It is understood that some of you "seniors" may still have Moby Grape's "Grape Jam" in the original vinyl. If so, bring it out to be signed.

On Sunday, Feb. 27, Peter and M.L. will conduct a free public workshop at the Laramie County Public Library from 2-4 p.m.

On Monday, Feb. 28, M.L. will serve as one of three judges for the 2011 Wyoming Poetry Out Loud competition. The competition begins at 7 p.m. at the Atlas Theatre. Peter will perform a short performance during intermission. This event is free and open to the public.

These events are all sponsored by the Wyoming Arts Council, the Poetry Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Here is some bio info on M.L. and Peter:

One of our judges for the Poetry Out Loud event will be M.L. Liebler, a mover and shaker in the Detroit poetry scene. He has written several books of poetry including the 2001 Finalist for The Paterson Poetry Prize and was winner of The 2001 Wayne State University Board of Governors’ Award. He has read and worked with Ed Sanders, Diane di Prima, Michael McClure, Allen Ginsberg, Ken Kesey, Timothy Leary & William Burroughs.

In addition, Liebler has recorded his poetry with such musical legends as Al Kooper, Country Joe McDonald, Jorma Kaukonen, Mike Watt, The Magic Poetry Band and many others. Liebler also edited the recently released anthology, Working Words: Punching the Clock and Kicking Out the Jams (Coffee House Press).

M.L. has worked with the Wyoming Arts Council before – as one of the judges for the FY 2002 creative writing fellowships and as a presenter at one of the last ARTSPEAK conferences, held in Jackson in the fall of 2001. As director of the Detroit YMCA Writer's Voice, he came to Cheyenne in 2002-2003 at the request of the YMCA to conduct poetry and music presentations and workshops with Woodstock legend Country Joe MacDonald.

Peter Lewis is a founding member of the 1960s band Moby Grape. Their debut album was released in 1967, and it is still to this day one of the most revered rock albums of all times according to Rolling Stone magazine and other cultural critics. The band's energetic and hyper-exciting combination of folk, blues, and country was a unique sound to rock & roll. It was a new kind of American roots music but the band's career never took off the way it should have, due to personal tragedies. It took Peter Lewis a long time to shake off the troubled legacy of his band and begin to make his mark again with a stellar singer/songwriting recording career. Don’t miss out on the chance to see this living legend perform.

When M.L. and Peter perform together, they take their audience on a historical, cultural & literary journey from poetry to blues, folk and rock up to original contemporary compositions of both poetry and music. Together they blend words & music with beautiful harmonies, memories and the art of spoken word.

Shop and eat locally on "Second Thursdays" sponsored by Art Design & Dine

Attention all you local art and local food lovers: Art Design & Dine in Cheyenne has a new look! Each poster will list the dates for the next three months of art tours. The flyers will list the featured restaurants on the back. Each quarter there will be new restaurants added to the flyer to give you more options and a longer time to use the coupon.

Wyoming: Guns 'R' Us

This e-mail update comes from Brianna Jones of the Wyoming Democratic Party. I'd just share a link but the info isn't up on the web site. So here it is in full:

The past week has seen both ups and downs for Democratic interests. Thank you so much to each of you that has responded to our action alerts over the past week and contacted legislators. It is so important that you are taking the time, even if the outcome is not always the one you would hope.

Your input is critical. Please continue watching for our action alerts and contacting your representatives on some of these important pieces of legislation. You can find email addresses for all legislators here: http://legisweb.state.wy.us.

The following is legislation that saw action this week:

Co-employee immunity (SF 61): As sponsored by Sen. Eli Bebout (R-Riverton) and Rep. Tim Stubson (R-Casper) the bill would raise the bar for suing a co-employee (usually a supervisor) for injuries in the workplace. Currently the standard is "willful and wanton" and the standard this would put in place is "with the intent." The AFL-CIO and Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association, and the Wyoming Building and Construction Council all spoke out strongly against this legislation. It failed the Senate on first reading by a vote of 13-17.


Very rare and uncommon area designations (HB 152): This legislation as sponsored by Rep. Semlek (R-Moorcroft) would abolish the rare and uncommon designation and would "retain the authority" to remove protections. Adobe Town is currently designated as rare and uncommon. The Wyoming Conservation Voters and Wyoming Outdoor Council are opposing this legislation.

Health Care Choice and Protection Act (HB 35): Legislation sponsored by Rep. Bob Brechtel (R-Casper) passed first reading in the House today with 35 members voting in favor. This bill would make it a crime to implement the affordable care act in Wyoming. Please write your representatives and ask them to oppose this legislation.


Defense of Marriage Act (SJ 5): This legislation which was defeated in 2009, would put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to only recognize marriages that are between one man and one woman. The proposal narrowly passed the Senate on a vote of 20-10, with 11 needed to defeat the measure.

DUI-elimination of right to refuse test (HB 29): Legislation sponsored by Rep. Gingery (R-Jackson) would remove the right to refuse a BAC test when there is reasonable suspicion of driving under the influence. It passed the house 35-23.

Civil Unions (HB 150): Rep. Cathy Connolly (D-Laramie) introduced legislation, which would create a system for civil unions in the state of Wyoming. The bill was heard by the House Judiciary Committee on Friday morning and narrowly failed on a vote of 4-5. Reps. Throne (D-Cheyenne), Barburto (D-Rock Springs), Greene (R-Laramie), and Brown (R-Laramie) voted in favor. Reps. Cannady (R-Glenrock), Peasley (R-Douglas), Nicholas (R-Laramie), Krone (R-Cody), and Brechtel (R-Casper) voted against.


Illegal Immigration (HB 94): This is a proposal mimicking Arizona-style SB1070 legislation targeting illegal immigrants. It was brought by Rep. Pete Illoway (R-Cheyenne) and heard in the house minerals committee. There was no motion to move the bill and it died in committee.

Marital Counseling (HB 65): Legislation as introduced by Rep. Bob Brechtel (R-Casper) was heard in the House Labor Committee. It would require three hours of counseling before a marriage or a divorce. The committee significantly amended the bill, but it ultimately died in committee.

Health Care Freedom (SJ 02): This legislation proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing so-called "health freedom." It was written in direct response to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It was amended significantly on the Senate floor during first reading and passed. The sponsor of the bill, Sen. Leslie Nutting (R-Cheyenne), voted against the bill following amendments.

Abortion - available information for decision (HB 118): This bill sponsored by Rep. Bob Brechtel (R-Casper) would require women who are considering abortion to be given government-scripted information and then wait 24 hours before having the procedure. It failed on general file on a vote of 23-32. 


Concealed Weapons (SF 47): This proposal, sponsored by Sen. Kit Jennings (R-Casper), was defeated last session, would all residents to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. It passed the Senate and will now go to the House.

Sen. Chris Rothfuss will talk about the concealed weapons bill at Monday's meeting of the Laramie County Democrats (see previous post). This is another in a long line of ridiculous bills considered by this legislature. Most handgun violence in Wyoming comes in the form of domestic dust-ups, drunken brawls, and in suicide, either attempted or successful. It's entirely possible that Wyoming's preponderance of guns keeps the violent crime rate down. I'm willing to give that notion some credence. But carjackings and armed robberies and drive-by shootings are still relatively rare in the state. So why does everyone need to carry around a concealed weapon? Is this another N.R.A. inspired and written one-size-fits-all legislation? Or another Tea Party-inspired be-afraid-be-very-afraid bills?

Ask Kit Jennings. Since 2008, Sen. Jennings has been a member of Don't Touch Us, the Domestic Violence Protection Group. This group was formed in Casper after a rash of 2007 domestic incidents ended in shootings. One involved a woman who shot to death her male partner. Will concealed weapons be handy prevention tools for battered women living under the thumbs of violent and well-armed men?

Here's info from a Dec. 22, 2010, press release from the Violence Policy Center, which addresses gun violence as a "public health issue:"

Since May 2007, concealed handgun permit holders have killed at least 282 individuals--including nine law enforcement officers--in 193 incidents in 28 states. In more than two-thirds of the incidents (134) the concealed handgun permit holder has already been convicted, committed suicide, or was killed in the incident. Of the 59 cases still pending, the vast majority (47) of concealed handgun permit holders have been charged with criminal homicide, two were deemed incompetent to stand trial, two incidents were unintentional shootings, and eight incidents are still under investigation. Of the 193 incidents, 17 were mass shootings where concealed handgun permit holders claimed the lives of 73 victims.

Here's another one from Sept. 30, 2010:

Concealed handgun permit holders have killed at least 202 individuals since May 2007 with 34 percent of the killings involving family violence according to the September update of Concealed Carry Killers, a Violence Policy Center (VPC) on-line resource that tallies news reports of killings by concealed handgun permit holders. The update comes one day before the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

Forty-two of the 122 incidents involved family violence. Of these, 29 involved intimate partner violence. Fifteen of the 42 family violence incidents ended in murder-suicide, accounting for 65 percent (15 of 23) of all the murder-suicides committed by concealed handgun permit holders tallied by the VPC to date.

Violence Policy Center Legislative Director Kristen Rand states, “A permit to carry a concealed handgun has become one more weapon in the arsenal of domestic abusers who ultimately kill their intimate partner or other family member. Contrary to the false assurances of concealed carry proponents, too many of those with valid permits kill in anger, not self-defense.”

And these are permitted gun owners. What happens when anybody can carry a concealed weapon? People such as the mentally ill Tucson shooter? Makes you think...

Concealed weapons law hot topic at Jan. 31 meeting of Laramie County Democrats

The Laramie County Democratic Party and Grassroots Coalition will have a joint meeting on Monday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m. at the IBEW Union Hall, 810 Fremont Street, Cheyenne.  The topic for the meeting will be the current concealed weapon law going through the Legislature.  Sen. Chris Rothfuss, Dem from Albany County, will be a guest speaker.  So many topics to be discussed. Sen. Rothfuss had some success this  week adding amendments to the Republicans' idiotic bill that would end  job protections for teachers.  FMI: www.laramiecountydemocrats.org  FMI: http://legisweb.state.wy.us/lsoweb/session/sessionhome.aspx

Can it happen here? It's already started...

UPLIFT plans Valentine's Day fund-raiser in Casper

Come on out to this event, put together by UPLIFT staff as a fund-raiser. UPLIFT is the Wyoming affiliate of the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. UPLIFT has faced some budget-cutting the past six months due to reduction in government funding. Hundreds of Wyoming families (mine included) have benefited from the organization's services.

"Food freedom" bill back on the table

Haven't found much to cheer about during this year's legislative session. One bonehead bill after another. However, in a bit of good news, a revised "food freedom" bill is back on the kitchen table:

A week after its apparent death, the Wyoming Food Freedom Act is back in the Legislature.

Rep. John Eklund, R- Cheyenne, has introduced a revised version of the bill, which would ease regulations on certain home-based food producers.

The original bill, which died in committee, would have exempted all homemade foods from state licensing and inspection rules, provided they were sold directly to consumers. The new legislation is similar, but does not exempt milk and meat products from government oversight.

Read more at http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/article_27c79269-416a-5548-a659-56f1437a8964.html

FMI: wyomingfoodfreedom.org

Outside agitators craft some bills for Wyoming Legislature

This article by Ruffin Prevost about outside agitators crafting bills for the Republican-controlled Wyoming Legislature originally appeared in WyoFile but was reprinted yesterday in the Billings Gazette:

Though members of Wyoming's citizen Legislature pride themselves on being closely connected to their constituents, voters might be surprised to learn that some laws proposed and passed in Cheyenne are first shaped by state lawmakers and major corporations during privately funded junkets in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere.

As the 2011 legislative session convenes this week, some watchdog groups -- and at least one legislator -- are calling for better disclosure from lobbyists and greater transparency from groups that seek to influence or propose specific laws.

One of those groups, the national, nonprofit American Legislative Exchange Council, drafts ready-made bills that lawmakers can propose in their home states, with a focus on reducing state regulations and limiting the influence of the federal government.

Read the entire article here.

Rep. Childers: Wyoming promotes modern-day version of South's anti-miscegenation laws

The Casper Star-Tribune provided this tally of Wyoming House votes on HB74: Bill to promote discrimination against LGBT citizens (that's my translation of this legislation):

Here's how members of the Wyoming House voted Monday on House Bill 74, which would stop recognition of same-sex marriages and civil unions performed outside Wyoming.

In favor (32): Blikre, Bretchtel, Botten, Buchanan, Burkhart, Campbell, Cannady, Davison, Edmonds, Eklund, Gay, Greear, Harshman, Harvey, Hunt, Jaggi, Kasperik, Kroeker, Krone, Lockhart, Loucks, Lubnau, Madden, McKim, Miller, Peasley, Petersen, Quarberg, Semlek, Shepperson, Stubson, Teeters.

Against (28): Barbuto, Berger, Blake, Bonner, Brown, Byrd, Childers, Connolly, Craft, Esquibel, Freeman, Gingery, Greene, Illoway, McOmie, Moniz, Nicholas, Patton, Pedersen, Petroff, Roscoe, Steward, Throne, Vranish, Wallis, Zwonitzer (Dan), Zwonitzer (Dave).

Excused: Goggles.

I am glad to see that my Rep., Mr. Nicholas, voted against this ridiculous bill. He's brand new and I didn't vote for him in 2010 but I may next time.

Many of the yay votes come from the expected sources, especially Amy Edmonds of Cheyenne. Very disappointed with the anti-gay vote by usually moderate Rep. Tim Stubson of Casper. What was he thinking?

Here's another telling snippet from the CST article:

State Rep. Pat Childers, R-Cody, who has been one of the leading opponents of anti-gay marriage bills in the House, compared HB74 to Jim Crow laws in place when he was growing up in Texas in the 1950s. 

"What we're doing with this law is basically the same situation that the state that I grew up in and many other Southern states did -- they denied the right of a black person to marry a white person," Childers said. "Now what we're doing here is with gays."

In the heat of argument, Rep. Childers talked about Jim Crow laws when he meant anti-miscegenation laws, which prohibited marriage between whites and blacks. Or maybe it's a reporter error. You can look it up.

Repealing Affordable Health Care Act "does not help the people of Wyoming"

Great letter to the editor in today's Casper Star-Tribune from Barb Rea and Jan Drury:

The new health care law may not be perfect but the framework is there to make the health care system stronger for Wyoming constituents. Instead of repeal and replace we should focus on making sure Wyoming constituents benefit from the consumer protections provided in the Affordable Care Act. Repealing does not help the people of Wyoming.

Barb Rea and Jan Drury are members of Consumer Advocates: Project Healthcare (CAPH) to promote consumer involvement in transforming the health care system. For more information, contact projecthealthcarewy@gmail.com.

Google "equality and Wyoming" and see what you get

I just Googled "equality and Wyoming." It got 1,670,000 hits. Most are about the current battle being waged for real equality in Wyoming. Equality for all, including gays and lesbians and bisexual and transgendered people, as well as immigrants from south of the Borderlands. The Wyoming State Legislature thinks it is O.K. to discriminate against all of "these people." They have another think coming.

There are some links to "equality and Wyoming" which show that equality exists here. Wyoming Equality is first on the list. Its motto: "Connecting Wyoming's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community." It just sponsored a dance in Casper, but the year's main event is "Rendezvous." Here's a description for this summer's event:

Rendezvous (Aug. 3-7, 2011) is a 5-day campout at Medicine Bow National Forest, between Cheyenne and Laramie.

The Rendezvous Event provides a friendly, safe, GLBT-affirming environment for everyone, from everywhere.  Pitch a tent or bring an RV and join us for a week of making new friends, entertainment, and outdoor adventure.

Rendezvous is an experience you will not forget.

From laughing around the campfire with friends, old and new, and enjoying the crisp air and bright stars while cooking out, you'll have fond memories for years to come.  That's why so many people return to Rendezvous year after year.

See you at Rendezvous 2011!

"Equality" is also part of the name of the state's Medicaid program:

EqualityCare is the name chosen by the Wyoming Department of Health for its Medicaid Program. Medicaid is a joint federal and state government program that pays for medical care for some low income and medically needy individuals and families.

The issues of Medicaid and health care are also being discussed in the current legislative session. The Repubs want to make it a crime to enact the Affordable Health Care Act in the state. The legislature says that the state doesn't cotton to any federal interference and wants to come up with its own plan which they will discuss at a later date. More important to get rid of that darn Obamacare.

More talk of equality from the Equality State. The Equality State Policy Center blog issues weekly reports on progress (or lack thereof) in the legislature. As Director Dan Neal says on the blog, this week "ended on a low note," equality-wise. Read the entire post at http://equalitystatewatch.blogspot.com/2011/01/second-week-ends-on-low-note.html

As Dan notes, there's more equality to come Monday:

The House Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee will take up HB 94 - Illegal immigration, at 7:30 am. The bill mirrors Arizona’s controversial measure.

One equality-named literary organization that I've been involved with is the Equality State Book Festival in Casper. I'm a member of the planning committee and we've been promoting books and writers and reading since 2006. The Equality State Book Festival has featured a whole slate of quality writers from all over: Annie Proulx, Robert Wrigley, Ravi Shankar, Kim Barnes, David Romtvedt, C.J. Box, Michael and Kathleen O'Neal Gear, Alyson Hagy, Mark Jenkins, Mark Spragg, Gerry Spence, Tim Sandlin, Lori Van Pelt, Lee Ann Roripaugh, Robert Roripaugh, Laura Pritchett, Rosemary Daniell, Lily Burana, Nina McConigley, and many others. Children's author and memoirist Jack Gantos has conducted workshops and presentations for hundreds of Casper students in 2008 and 2010. Olympic champ Rulon Gardner (now a reality show star) brought his book and his rousing speeches to Casper students in 2006. Noted children's author/illustrator Ray Troll traveled from Alaska to bring his passion for dinosaurs to the bookfest and to schools.

Reading and writing knowledge is crucial to good citizenship. Good citizens know about a state's core values, and work hard to promote them.

I'm not saying that our legislators aren't knowledgeable. I am saying that they are putting narrow-minded interests before the health of the state. And the world is watching.

Go ahead, Google "equality and Wyoming." See what you get. Lots of bad news, but certainly some gems in the mix.

Calling on Congressional Republicans to renounce their taxpayer-funded health coverage

Republicans in Congress (including Wyoming's lone U.S. Rep, Cynthia Lummis) have passed a bill to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act.

It will die in the U.S. Senate. But Repubs in both chambers will be bringing this up over and over and over again in an effort to unseat Pres. Obama in 2012. They are like pit bulls, those Republicans.  

Families USA, sponsor of the Health Action 2011 conference in D.C. Jan. 27-29, has developed a report entitled "H.R. 2: Guilty of a Double Standard." Here are the juicy parts:

...those who vote for repeal intend to keep these very health benefits and rights—which they enjoy courtesy of America’s taxpayers—for themselves:

Members of Congress enjoy government-subsidized health coverage for themselves and their family members. Congressional promoters of repeal would take away tax credits that will help make coverage affordable for hardworking American families.

Members of Congress are sheltered from the threat of discrimination due to pre-existing conditions. Congressional promoters of repeal would deprive ordinary Americans of this very same protection.

Members of Congress, when faced with an insurance claim that is denied, have a guaranteed right to appeal that denial. Congressional promoters of repeal would deny many Americans a similar right.

These are just three examples. There are more, and we’ve outlined them below.

What Congressional Promoters of Repeal Will Take Away from American Families—But Keep for Themselves:

1.   Affordable health coverage

2.   Guaranteed coverage, regardless of pre-existing conditions

3.   A right to appeal claims that are denied by insurers

4.   Protection against discriminatory premiums due to pre-existing conditions

5.   A complete package of health insurance benefits

6.   Guaranteed coverage that can’t be taken away

7.   A prescription drug benefit with no coverage gap

8.   Protection against catastrophic health care costs

9.   A choice of easy-to-compare health insurance plans

10.  Protection against unreasonable premium increases

11.  Fair and equal premiums for women

12.  Coverage for early retirees

13.  Access to free or low-cost preventive services

14.  Access to affordable care at clinics