Over the summer, the Reverend Audette Fulbright moved with her family to Cheyenne, Wyoming. where she preaches at the Unitarian Universalist church. When the state legislature began debating a bill to allow for the carrying of concealed weapons at schools and sporting events, Fulbright wrote to lawmakers to express her concerns about guns and about fracking. She wrote, in part:
My husband and I moved to Wyoming not too long ago. We believed it was a good place to raise children. With the recent and reactive expansion of gun laws and the profoundly serious dangers of fracking, we find we are seriously reconsidering our decision, which is wrenching to all of us. However, the safety of our family must come first. We are waiting to see what the legislature does this session. I know of other new-to-Wyoming families in similar contemplation. Your choices matter. It would be sad to see an exodus of educated, childrearing age adults from Wyoming as a result of poor lawmaking.
Fulbright says she heard back from one Democratic lawmaker, who told the bill had been moved to committee, and from Republican state Representative Hans Hunt (the one on the left), who wrote:
I'll be blunt. If you don't like the political atmosphere of Wyoming, then by all means, leave. We, who have been here a very long time (I am proudly 4th generation) are quite proud of our independent heritage. I don't expect a "mass exodus" from our state just because we're standing up for our rights. As to your comments on fracking, I would point out that you're basing your statement on "dangers" that have not been scientifically founded or proved as of yet.
It offends me to no end when liberal out-of-staters such as yourself move into Wyoming, trying to get away from where they came from, and then pompously demand that Wyoming conform to their way of thinking. We are, and will continue to be, a state which stands a head above the rest in terms of economic security. Our ability to do that is, in large part, to our "live and let live" mentality when it comes to allowing economic development, and limiting government oversight. So, to conclude, if you're so worried about what our legislature is working on, then go back home.
Hunt tells the Casper Star-Tribune that he's not sorry to have been so blunt. Wyoming has been growing, but it remains our least-populated state. It is also under full Republican control, both chambers of the legislature and the governorship. The blue dots stand out, I guess. (Thanks to Steve Nadeau of Colorado for the story. You can send us stuff like this here and here.)
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"Live and let live" My ass. There is no Medical School in the state of Wyoming, so they are totally dependent on MD's produced in other states. Wyoming's economic security depends on other states doing many things for it.
It is more blatant than you think. Just look at the population centers in Wyoming -- they are either on Interstate 80 or next to Yellowstone, a federal national park.
Take away tourism in the park and servicing of travelers on the (federally built) interstate and Wyoming would lose half its population. Most of Wyoming already qualifies as 'wilderness' under the old federal definition (fewer than 2 people per square mile) -- without federal infrastructure all but the SE corner of the state would be depopulated.
And 4 generations in a state is nothing to brag about.
"We are, and will continue to be, a state which stands a head above the rest in terms of economic security."
Even with massive federal subsidy, Wyoming ranks 34th out of 51 states plus DC in terms of life expectancy, access to education, and standard of living.
Are you two implying some reason why Wyoming residents shouldn't tell the jerk to take a hike, or questioning the jerk's decision to move there in the first place? I wonder what people in San Fancisco would have to say if Pat Robertson moved there and tried to convert the heathen.
So, shooter . . . If Pat Robertson did move to San Francisco and try to "convert the heathen", would you call him a jerk and tell him to take a hike, too?
I have a feeling you wouldn't, since you probably agree with his point of view.
Hans Hunt assumes the young couple are Liberals, rudely dismissing them as such, just because they want to be safe from guns and fracking. Similarly, Shooter here is assuming the letter writers are "Jerks" based on... well, IDK what that's based on.
Hunt and Shooter are both adept at making grand, dismissive assumptions. Based on that personality flaw, I'd assume both are ideologically Conservative.
Shooter,
Unlike yourself, I believe in a single class of US citizenship.
A person legally living in or traveling through a state can criticize the state government to their heart's content. It does not matter whether they have lived there all of 5 minutes, all their lives, or are the great-something-grandchildren of Hiawatha. Officials that are bothered by tax-paying citizens petitioning their government should retire.
I also believe that the lies of nativist yahoos should be exposed, such as stating that Wyoming is economically head and shoulders above other states when the truth is the state does not even qualify as average.
There is a terrible incongruency between "live and let live" and telling someone, "if you don't like [it]...feel free to leave."
And there is a great deal of incongruity (ahem) in mischaracterizing an expression of concern as "pompous demands" while pompously demanding that the person expressing concerns shut up and go away.
I work in San Francisco -- its full of jerks trying to convert heathens. They don't get very far because we politely ignore them.
Wyoming has a population of 576,412. Nova Scotia, one of the smallest provinces in Canada, has a population of 921,727 (1.6 times that of Wyoming).
Cheyene is the capital of Wyoming, and Metro Cheyene has a population of 60,096.
Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and Metro Halifax has a population of 430,000 (7.2 times that of Metro Cheyene).
So, vastly underpopulated Wyoming wants to run people out of that state who dare not agree with a few from Wyoming?
If people from Wyoming who disagree with old timers from Wyoming moved to Nova Scotia, it would barely be noticable in terms of population difference, but at least in Nova Scotia (as anywhere in Canada) they would have whatever health care they need with no out of pocket costs. as opposed to being in the US, which is the only industrialzed nation not to guarantee health care to all of its citizens, regardless of income. Also, the provincial government in Nova Scotia is New Demcrats, Bernie Sanders style social democrats (centre left in Canadian terms, where radical right wing Conservatives - in Canadian terms - are to the left of Barack Obama on many issues), and 58% of Canadians call themselves liberal or very liberal.
Also, Nova Scotia has the largest medical school east of Montreal, and NS (as all of Canada) has strict gun laws (where 95% of guns that are legal in the US are illegal here), two more ways that tiny Nova Scotia leads Wyoming (as Canada leads the US) by hundreds of kilometres (Canadian spelling - with re) and by centuries.
that.
The population of the State of Wyoming is about equal to that of metropolitan Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, we have no Steelers and seldom even see them televised here. We are like a 3rd world country with a McDonald's in every "big" town.
Perhaps most importantly, most of the registered voters here hold fast to the mistaken belief that the purpose of a voting booth is to shoot oneself in the foot.
Wait fracking in Wyoming. I wonder how are the Inter Continental Balistic Missles are going to feel about that? If it wasn't for federal money going to FE Warren AFB there wouldn't be a Cheyenne and if there was it would about a tenth of the size.
The new people were not the ones trying to change things, it was the old residents who were changing the laws from what they had been for many years....carrying guns at schools....geeez are republicans that clueless, 'YES'.
It is so cool you are following this trend Laura. I hope you are writing your stuff up in a form that can be easily developed into book form.
Given that in 50 years (many spent in close proximity to Wyoming and traveling through it) I have yet to meet a native who isn't usually a dickwad, this guy is no suprise. I mean, the place is full of Republicans and Dick Cheney was born there. What further proof is needed?
Then I'm kinda surprised he didn't just ride over to their place to shoot them in the face.
I wouldn't make too much of that. Ain't no guarantee against misfortune no matter where you are.
Now, the fact that they kept him is problematic, but there might not have been any takers. However, the fact that they elected him ...
unfortunately darth cheney was born in nebraska, but the have the same @!$%# reasoning on about everything. once you get about ten miles est of omaha
ca young....take a look at your compass my friend. Ten milels east of Omaha puts you in the middle of Council Bluffs (CouncilTucky) Iowa!
As a teacher that should tell you something about the state of education here in Nebraska.
Really? Close minded much? I was born in Montana, raised in Wyoming. And I have rarely encountered what you lovingly call "dickwads."
Generalizing your view of a state just because you have traveled through is asinine. Unless you live here, and actually know and interact with the people, none of you have any right to have a say in the matter.
THANK YOU, Katie! I lived in Wyoming most of my life. It is a state full of helpful, friendly, and hard working people. Saying that this one person's remarks represents the entire state is indeed ludicrous. I don't agree with the sentiments of the representative, but his attitude doesn't differ much from others across the country!
Thank you both!! I live in Arizona and get the same narrow-minded comments about the state I've considered home for 46 years now! The same can be said that Arizona has hard working, friendly and helpful people here, even if some consider themselves "Republicans"! I'm not, don't get me wrong! I've been a "Lefty" all my life, but my dad was a Republican and a decent man! He would be rolling in his grave if he saw what these "Rethuglicans" are doing and who only got elected by tons of money from special interest groups and promising to "Take our country back!" whatever THAT means!
We aren't all natives here in Wyoming...and we aren't all Republicans either! It is a real struggle to have lived here for 20 years as a Democrat. I have been screamed at, lectured to and worse. But there are a lot of us here...it is difficult to get Dems elected here because all the money is with the Republicans and the National Democratic Party doesn't know we exist. We can't stand Dick Cheney. And we welcome Rev. Fulbright with open arms. You go, sister!
Ooooh, this kind of thing really makes my blood boil. Montana was corrupted by the copper barons in the early 1900s, much like Big Oil is trying to do in many locations today. We still have superfund sites here (Butte being the best known) where people are living in close proximity to deadly toxins left over from mining activities, while the beneficiaries made millions (would be billions in today's dollars).
I heard a story on the local NPR this morning that a couple of Texans who have made billions in fracking have bought up 200,000 acres here in Montana and spent over $50K on state legislature candidates in the recent election to ensure that lawmakers friendly to their activities would win.
Do yourself a favor and listen to an episode of This American Life, called Game Changer: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/440/game-changer
And yet they get two senators like every other state.
Barrasso and Enzi ... What a pair of incompetent excuses for senators... Voted NO on almost every bill introduced... They might as well stay in Wyoming and pick up their checks, as they don't do anything while in Washington... Republicans say vote NO and these two follow like sheep...
I live in Wyoming and I totally agree with how worthless our two senators are!
Isn't Wyoming DICK Cheney's home state? That should be enough reason for anyone with an iota of common sense to avoid this state like the plague.
No worries, he's only a "resident" when election laws require him to declare it.
I'll be equally blunt, what would we EVER do without Wyoming? I mean, where else would we get our TUMBLEWEEDS from? Wyoming is CLEARLY on top of things. Seriously though, I've been thinking of moving there. I know it snows there a great deal, but the potential for wind energy must be huge.
The closer you get to the state legislature, the greater the wind energy, I'm guessing.
The lower half of the state looks like the ass end of the moon, and the northern half only looks decent because it's mooching off of Montana. We could use most of Wyoming as a nuclear test range, and no one would be the wiser; there's a reason for that.
Wyoming gave us the TUMBLEWEED?
Man, you mean those so-called scientists are lying again when they claim it's an illegal immigrant from pre-Soviet Russia? Shoot, surely since they're wrong about global climate change and evolution, they must be wrong about this one.
http://www.desertusa.com/mag01/may/papr/tweed.html
Planet Wyoming, incidentally, generally shares co-orbital status with Planet Utah, and the resident populations are often similar in appearance. Here's one way to distinguish the subspecies.
Buy your subject a drink. If they gulp it down immediately, they're from Wyoming. If they look around furtively to see if anyone is watching and then gulp it down, they're probably the Utah variety of wingnut.
Please don't nuke me and my family! We're part of the sane crowd.
He's 4th generation, where was his first generation from...not Wyoming.
When Republicans have control, everyone else can go to hell. When they don't have control, they ass-kiss until they do, then everyone else can go to hell.
I think in this case "ass kiss" is spelled b-r-i-b-e. Or, perhaps c-o-e-r-c-e. Maybe d-e-c-e-i-v-e. Take your pick.
Funny thing, there are actually people living here with family histories going back more than 100 generations.
The REAL funny thing is, for those families who go back 4 generations, or 100 years, etc, is that I'm pretty sure when they moved to Wyoming their views of how the land should be governed directly conflicted with the Native American tribes living there. Indeed, it was likely his own bloodline that so offended the Native Americans. The ignorant statement he issues can be turned right back around at him, (perhaps minus "liberal")
I love that when you disagree with any policy of a teapub they automatically assume you are a liberal.
Speaking of which, the county I live in and the surrounding counties all went for Willard, yet I can't find one person that admits they voted for him. How strange is that? LOL
We have a similar problem in Ohio. Someone elected our dick wad governor but everyone I talk to won't admit to it!!
I'd say Election Systems & Software, the ones running the voting machines in Ohio, voted for him, and to hell with what the actual input was.
That's why ALL voting machines must have a paper trail... paper, with a copy to the voters.
Dale
If Kasich is such a "dick wad" then why is Ohio one of the VERY few states that are sitting on a 1Billion dollar+ surplus?
I lived in Ohio. When you don't spend money on education or anything else that's important, I guess you'll have a surplus.
I had a good time one day there a few years ago. Spent money on the first rodeo I ever saw, then a concert. But it looks like they are checking political affiliations… like so many are now-excluding customers. Dumb. Geez.
OK, thanks. I won't go back. A few others have eliminated themselves from my possibility list. I am not wealthy, but I am retired and hope to do more traveling in the future. Wyoming, nothing to see there. Been there, done that. So… good luck with all that declaring someone's politics a deal breaker.
When I was doing a lot of transcontinental driving, it was always a question of whether I would cross Nebraska or Wyoming at night - the one controlling thing of that being the weather - since if it was clear you could get that great 50,000 watt rock 'n' roll station in OKC while driving.
KOMA in OKC! Listened to it many a night in my youth. Great station, but we could only get it at night.
Listen on the web now: http://www.streamingthe.net/KOMA-92.5-FM-Oklahoma-City/p/5329
www.komaradio.com/
www.facebook.com/KOMAradio
Well, since we get more federal dollars per capita than any other state ($3,757) we can afford to be pretty conservative.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/19/us/politics/after-democrats-gain-across-the-country-conservative-voters-wonder-where-they-fit.html?_r=0)
OK then, anyone got a match?
I wonder if Hunt is related to Cheney? Seems to have the same personality and social graces.
Hah. We have a similar problem where I live -- Nativist sentiment from a bunch of losers from a long line of losers who could never get themselves un-stuck and bitter that anyone would choose to live in the place that they secretly dream of getting away from. One of them ran for office and got his xenophobic butt spanked by a out-of-towner, then went around crying about how the immigrants are ruining the area. He redoubled his effort 2 years later and got even more soundly trounced. But it never occurred to him that *he* might be the one who needs to leave...
I am a liberal, but I have to say I agree with Mr. Hunt. It was pretty presumptuous of the Reverend to publicly threaten to leave because of the politics in WY. She obviously hadn't done her homework before moving to the state or she would have understood what she was getting into. And whining never changed anything.
Unless I am mistaken, her complaint was about the gun laws and fracking, very plausible areas of any citizen's concern.
And if her new town takes her tax money and allows her to economically support the local economy, why does she not have a say in the political goings-on, 1st generation or 4th generation?
Gosh, folks, doncha just love that good ol' "I'm a liberal, but.." whine?
What harm could possibly be done by publicly threatening to leave because of the politics? Don't they have First Amendment rights in Wyoming? Peaceful disagreement is as American as apple pie. Or at least it used to be.
Dunno, Entropy. Can't hear it over the bluster of "I'm a conservative and my opinion is more important than your opinion."
Carol,
When did writing to your legislators about critical issues effecting your life and those of your family become something unacceptable. I plan on sending Mr. Hunt a missive letting him know that my daughter just cancelled her reservations at Jackson Hole and that our family will be visiting New Mexico and the Grand Canyon instead of Yellowstone this summer. We will spend our 10k elsewhere and he can kiss my liberal ass.
jkh
I actually kind of agree with Carol here. I don't think she's attacking the woman who wrote the letter for simply writing a letter to her state government or speaking her mind. And clearly, the legislator who responded to the letter was a horse's rear end and acted in a manner unbecoming of an elected official to his constituent. But the reverend's letter does come off a little bit like "Hey, you dumb hicks, I just got here but all of us educated folks are going to leave if you don't change your policies, and you'll be broke and sorry if we do." She didn't make substantive policy arguments (in the snippet posted, at least), but rather just a threat to possibly vote with her feet. A responsible public servant wouldn't have responded so blatantly with "Don't let the door hit you on the way out, outsider smartypants" but the thought would have crossed anyone's mind.
Anyone's mind?! Errr, no.
Carol, you can say you're a liberal, but we can tell (to coin a phrase).
Bravo Carol I couldn't agree with you more, she didn't do her homework first, Rep. Hunt could of saved her all that time and as we all know time=money... I think as the Director of her corporation she had to make a stand an on something and let Directorship go to her head... Rep. Hunt was as he told going to be blunt and there is a real difference between being blunt and rude at least here in Wyoming... I believe he had her well being totally in mind by telling her IF she wanted (this is still a free country) to leave and save herself some time because she was articulate enough she Plans B,C,D and E and kindly let her know to examine them too IF she was serious of any decision she made. I who live her for the last 15+ years would of appreciated the courtesy he showed her, apparently her husband was pleased with the surroundings... I love you reasoning Carol, darn another tumble weed just rested against my truck oh well there probably be ten more by morning take care of it then, God Bless
wa
In case anybody is inclined to dismiss the above as parody, I have encountered plenty of knuckle-dragging throwbacks who are seriously like that.
Thank you for picking up the story Laura, but it's Steve, not Scott. :)
Sorry! I fixed it. I used to know a Scott Nadeau -- guy was so strong, he could carry a keg of beer on his shoulder up a flight of stairs. Clearly, he made a lasting impression.
To some extent I agree with the man, regardless of how obnoxious it comes across. When I was deciding where to live, the political/cultural climate was a factor in my decision. I realize sometimes people don't always have that option if they have to move somewhere for a job, and that's unfortunate. It doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to voice an opinion or even work to change things, but you have to be realistic about the chances for change when attitudes are so entrenched. Now, if more people like her band together, there could be some power in numbers. But it would have to be a pretty significant force to be reckoned with in order for people like Mr. Hunt to be persuaded to listen.
I think it is a very sad state of affairs when you have to use politics to determine where you will live in this country. That's not the way we used to be. I agree with a previous poster--if this guy doesn't like people petitioning their government, then he needs to quit. How rude. At least Nebraska agrees with this woman--they barred the XL pipeline out here because we sit on a major aquifer. Must be a reason for that or we have an awful lot of dumb ranchers because all the ranchers didn't want the pipeline because of the water issue.
". . . scientifically founded or proved as of yet."
Okay Mr. Hans Hunt. You go to the doctor. He tells you, "We think you have testicular cancer, but it hasn't been scientifically founded or proved as of yet."
So which would you do?
- Go on ignoring the situation because it hasn't been proved yet?
- Have it checked out further and err on the side of safety?
Well . . . at least now we know where we can move all those Texans (and others) who want to secede.
Damn right. I'd love to move all the Rick Perry lovers, Ted Cruz TPers, Louie Gohmert wannabes someplace other than here. It's hard enough being a Texas liberal among some Texas Democrats let alone these Republican rightwingers. I'll volunteer a trailer. Or two. What about some semis?
C'mon, now! There are LOTS of really cool and level-headed people in Wyoming! We're just a minority. So please, PLEASE don't truck no damn Texans up here!
I'll be blunt. If you don't like polite political discourse or criticism, then by all means, don't run for office.
We are not all crazy here in WY I promise. It is a great place to live if you like elbow room, which I do. There are progressives here, we are just really outnumbered. We try though.
If you like elbow room and freezing to death 6 months of the year.
Hey, a little respect for the climate in Wyoming.
First off, it isn't freezing six months a year, it's only about four or five. Then you get mud, and then you get roasted. Best of all, the cold and the mud are both declining as the climate gets warmer and dryer.
So if we continue business as usual, Wyoming could become the Arizona of the next century!
Freezing six months of the year? Not in Cheyenne. It's horribly windy 350 days a year in Cheyenne. It's also ugly, brown, backwards, and dismal. Can't wait to move back to civilization.
Oh you've got it wrong ! Wyoming only has one blizzard each winter. Then the wind comes along and blows it all to the north. Then the wind comes along and blows it to the south, then the wind comes along.............
And you don't have to worry as much about Texans. Because a large % of them driving north stop for gas in Fort Collins, and decide to stay. i keep hoping they will all move along and keep driving, but they have slowed, then stopped and californicated Colorado quickly.
Celebrating 27 years in Wyoming now. Despite the Mr. Hunt's, who will die, and only have a majority as an adult native by under 60%; the libertarians and progressives will eventually win here. Baseline groundwater testing ahead and behind oil and gas drilling will be the rule to thwart that pesky science denial. Civil union will pass into law in the next legislative session. I worked for a multi-national oil company in Wyoming for 22 years and in my section across the state we had only two Wyoming natives ever hired. That really tells you who will really runs things as our first generation come to the helm.
And now we know why
AH....the ol' love it or leave it argument. What an ENLIGHTENED '4th generation' nimrod.
Are we allowed to paste links here? This came across my fb page this morning. It's not WY but KS. More over the top anti-Obama antics by Republicans. It becomes humorous and we all need more laughter.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/01/26/kansas-house-speaker-digs-into-bible-and-quotes-death-to-obama/
Sorry, but I don't read anything disrespectful of our POTUS. It is bad for my blood pressure.