Wasting time, the way only lawmakers can

Patricia Sauthoff [ Fri Jul 30 2010 3:48 PM ]

Yesterday, I heard on the radio that Gov. Richardson might issue a pardon for Billy the Kid. Yes, that Billy, the one who murdered a few people back in the 1880s and became a legend. My first instinct was to ignore it. But I can't, it keeps coming up. Today, KOB has a whole, long article about the history of the conflict. It's good, read it. I don't want to rehash it.

My point is, SERIOUSLY? The governor of New Mexico actually has time to sit around and think about this? Clearly, the answer is yes. He also, in 2003, let the Lincoln County sheriff to reopen the case as to whether Billy the Kid was actually shot by Pat Garrett or whether Garrett shot someone else and Billy escaped.

If I was 8-years-old, I would totally want the outlaw to win, even a hundred years later. But I'm a grownup now, and wish lawmakers would spend their time more productively, say helping victims of domestic violence or issuing pardons to people who are alive and jailed wrongfully.

But, I'm optimistic and probably a cranky-pants. Please, if you think the Kid should have his name cleared, explain to me why in the comments. I really do want to understand why anyone cares.

Public Comments (3)

- Pattriot
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- Since 2010-04-16
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Who's the outlaw - Billy or Bill? [ Fri Jul 30 2010 11:27 PM ]

Why wouldn't the Bill R Ranch want to hang around to watch a good-ol' revisionist history movie at the end of his term? Course he would... Makes ya kinda contented if ya think about it, as it 'splains somethins', perhaps.

It's the murder of a Garrett clan member an' a sheriff to boot, by a spoilt brat who got itchy on the national stage and the poor boy got confused.
His film-makers are hangin' around, spittin' tobacca in the corral, funded by townspeople like us an' waitin' fer a shootout. The foreman's goin' to be run outa' town in November anyways, headin' for better spoils... so the Guv is dithering cuz he might as well pack up and ignore the hoots an' hollers, but he's got to slam the door! Right?? Ain't thet right; he's the hombre??
Memorialize the Kid, (shrine-photo-op).
Excuse me Ms Denish, what is yer' tune on this here one. Was's yer' boss-man a loony-tune er whut-not?
Regards
Another concerned cowboy
- mrblutarsky
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Truth is what you find, and what you make of it. [ Sun Aug 1 2010 9:53 AM ]

I can't give you sound bites that will make this all instantly clear, but be assured that:
Billy is perhaps the single most unfairly maligned individual in all of American history, 130ish years of propoganda notwithstanding.
People who say "harrumph" to a pardon are simply ignorant of the facts. If you look at the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, the Kid deserves a pardon. I would much, much rather have to explain why Billy got a pardon than why he didn't.
I don't care a whit about the politics surrounding of all this. Gov. Richardson is doing the right thing. He's being a statesman, not a politician.
BTW: There was never a "wanted" poster issued for the Kid. The one you show is bogus, as are all the others.
- Pattriot
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Guess whut's on ma' boots? [ Sun Aug 1 2010 7:56 PM ]

If ya' have an impassioned political speech clearing the Kid and the guv and splainin' thet ya' don't give a whit about politics, then perhaps, to a casual observer, you probably really care about politics!
Your "slam of the door" was the wanted poster. Love it.
Another concerned cowboy
PS Got my old boots cleaned today... guess what wus on 'em?