You’re all clear, kid, now let’s blow this thing and go home! – Han Solo

On the morning of September 11, 2001 I was asleep in a cozy little cabin in the beautiful high country region of Yosemite National Park.  Giant redwoods loomed nearby.  My world was serene and revolved around climbing massive granite blocks when not working as the “maintenance guy” at an environmental education center.  Frantic knocks on the door raised me from bed followed by the entry of a close friend and cups of hot coffee.
“I’ve got good …

About 30 people showed up on the Town Square today to represent the 99% who would like to wrest more money and power from the 1%.  Protesters were polite and well spoken.  Their wide ranging concerns included the undue influence of lobbyists and money on politics, concern that the rich and corporations aren’t paying enough taxes, the need for healthcare reform, the need to protect the environment, and the need to create more jobs.  They all seem to agree that capitalism and democracy are not working correctly for the benefit …

Three lonesome demonstrators showed their support for Israel on Monday on the northwest corner of Broadway and Buffalo Way.  I dropped by to show some support and to chat for a while.  Though I’m a big fan of Israel I’m not a Kool-Aid drinker.  I realize that the Palestinians have a beef, and that there needs to be accommodation on both sides, but I admire Israel’s scrappy courage in the face of threats from psychotically hostile neighbors and the hypocritical condemnation of the majority of U.N. states.

The gang of three …

“The pioneers of a warless world are the young men and women who refuse military service.” – Albert Einstein

A few weeks ago I sat atop a gigantic jumbled pile of granitic boulders amongst an ocean of ever reaching Joshua Trees. I listened to wind rushing over rock and the occasional “cluk-cluk”of a curious raven. All was serene, basking in the warm desert sun, until a series of sonic booms ripped across the surreal landscape.
 
The thudding drone of military helicopters soon followed like a swarm of annoying industrial gnats. …

If you want to change the way people respond to you, change the way you respond to people.  -Timothy Leary

Wage Peace: the non lethal weaponry solution
Bee keepers use puffs of smoke to pacify angry insects.  If the U.S. Military hopes to win their current struggles against justifiably enraged insurgents who have had their homelands wrongfully invaded then we need to apply a similar non-lethal strategy to the arena of Iraq, Afghanistan and beyond if necessary.  It’s debatable, however, if the goal is to win the deceptive “war on terror” or …

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 The budget was signed this morning by the Governor.  Some highpoints of the budget that Rep. Gingery worked on and made sure that they passed
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$2.5 million into the Wildlife Trust Fund
$2 million into the Cultural Trust Fund
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$685,000 for telepsychiatry — Rep. Gingery serves as the Co Chair of the Select Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse and worked to get this provision in the budget.  Many communities do not have psychiatrists and by allowing patients to access psychiatrists through teleconference will expand patient care and reduce costs considerably.
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$5.5 million …

Very good day down here in Cheyenne!!  Representative Elaine Harvey, Rep. Mike Madden, and I were successful in arguing on the Wyoming House of Representatives Floor this afternoon to get the developmental disability funding reinstated.  This has been a hard fight and we are not out of the woods yet.�
As some of you probably recall from previous legislative sessions, I fight every year to get money into the developmental disability program.  Some years I have been successful and others I have not.  The vote today was 35 to 23.�
Last year …

LEGISLATIVE SERVICE OFFICE NEWS RELEASE
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FOR RELEASE: Immediately
CONTACT: Wendy Madsen, Legislative Information Officer or Anthony Sara, Associate Legislative Information Officer TO REACH: (307) 777-7881
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2010 BUDGET SESSION REACHES BILL CROSSOVER PERIOD
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CHEYENNE – After convening just a few short weeks ago, the Wyoming Legislature has reached *halftime* of the 2010 Budget Session.
Tuesday marked crossover period for the body, meaning it was the last day for third reading in the house of origin.  Any legislation that did not successfully pass third reading in the primary house Tuesday will not go on for further consideration …

Interview regarding DUI and gun laws on Wyoming Public Radio.  Can be heard at the link below.
Interview on Wyoming Public Radio

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Senator Barrasso, Senator Enzi, and Congresswoman Lummis each spoke to the Wyoming Legislature on Friday.  All 3 had a common theme that Congress could learn a lot from the Wyoming Legislature.  Specifically we only have one subject per bill, the amendments are germane, we balance our budget, the Governor has line item veto.