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The Blog is a tool for individuals to communicate regarding topics for which they are concerned. It contains comments, links and news posted by citizens from around the country. This Blog is a public forum and it's comments and opinions may or may not be endorsed by Mark Gordon.
Click "Post a Blog" to add your own Blog or click on one of the topics below to comment on each of them.
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Winding Down the Primary, Ready for More
August 16, 2008
I wrote recently about the beginning of my campaign, the challenges it occasioned and the promise I felt for this wonderful state and the sense of the people who will vote in a few days. Since those early days of the campaign, I have travelled nearly 60,000 miles, sometimes with my wife, other times with my daughters or sons, and sometimes alone. We have covered this state from one end to the other, ate meals in more places than I can remember, had the delight to have seen more sunrises and sunsets in more places in this state than many will ever have. I have loved it all, and as I said, we have made it through to green grass and the calves are fat. But it is August, fair is here, and as we always seem to have this time of year, smoke from forest fires can sometimes obscure the view.
I grew up knowing the value of hard work. I also grew up respecting courage and endeavor. I was not brought up to be a follower, or part of the herd. I was brought up to do my best to do what was right. As this campaign winds down, the smoke from distortions, embellishments, and misrepresentations, and the din of campaign rhetoric has filled the atmosphere making it hard to get one’s bearings. That is the nature of politics sadly in our country.
In the end though, one hopes that the effort has been useful in advancing an agenda and defining a choice for the future. This is a year when our country has far more at stake than it has had for some time. From Afton to Lusk to Evanston, to Newcastle, to Casper, Cheyenne, Cody, Buffalo and Kaycee one thing continues to come up. We love our state and we want it well represented. The quality and the insightfulness of the questions we candidates have fielded over the past several months demonstrates how thoughtful Wyoming citizens are. Thank you one and all for making this effort so rewarding.
In the end, it is so important that we look to the candidates themselves and to what they have articulated to get a clear idea of what they each have to offer to the state and the country. It is a bit like being told about a shortcut when the smoke from a fire seems to conceal the best course. If rumors about the shortcut prove inaccurate, the destination may take a while to find. This year is a year when we hope a fresh breeze can help clear away the smoke, so we can better see where we need to go. Let us hope for that breath of fresh air.
Thanks Wyoming for a wonderful trip through paradise.
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Update from Jennie
July 25, 2008
There are less than 30 days until primary election day; I hope everyone remembers to vote on August 19th. When my husband, Mark Gordon, announced in January for the US House seat, it seemed like election would never arrive. Since then he and I have been on a wonderful Wyoming whirlwind! I have been to Lincoln Day Dinners all over the state, which have energized the GOP voters and brought in money for the party.
One of my favorite auction items that I won is the University of Wyoming’s Women’s NIT autographed banner that Pete Simpson brought to the Lovell event. I attended the UW Foundation Dinner where I sat with the Legerskis from Lander who fired intelligent probing, questions about Mark. If you know them please ask them if they were satisfied with the answers they received. I have traveled to Evanston for the Renewal Ball, a wonderful annual event that has helped invigorate the downtown area and restore the historical depot area.
I attended the GOP Convention in Rock Springs where I met Pat and Jerry Swan. Jerry is still talking to me even though I stuck my size nine feet in my mouth! I went to Etna to attend the 3rd Biannual Ronald Regan Cocktail Party at Marti and Stan Halverson’s. That community was able to house all of the candidate’s families without having any of them stay at a motel! Recently, I have been to Cheyenne Frontier Days for the kickoff luncheon where I heard the Star Spangled Banner played by a violin for the first time. It was so powerful and beautiful. I was very moved!
I marched in several parades with my children, Aaron, Spencer, Bea and Anne and our dogs Schatzi and Oliver with the Deke Latham being the most recent. Everyone came out and Mark saw many of his old friends like Raymond and Bertie Tolman. I sat in on one of Mark’s radio interviews, Talk of Cheyenne with Jill Cumer, who even got me on the air about second amendment rights, a subject I am very passionate about. We even made an appointment with a gentleman from Wheatland, Glen Weber who called in to the program for the next day. He and his son Gary met us at Vimbos and Glen even bought breakfast. Isn’t Wyoming wonderful?
When Mark asked me about running for this position I told him two things. I want to run a clean and positive campaign first and foremost and I want to have fun. The clean campaign was something we have done, but the having fun part has been due to the great people of Wyoming. Thank you so much for welcoming us into your communities!
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End of My First Two Months in Politics
April 17, 2008
It has been a steep learning curve since a couple of months ago when we announced. I didn’t know what people would make of a guy who didn’t have a well manicured political pedigree. I guess I have always stood for what I believed and have been willing to put my back behind any endeavor my family and I chose to take on. I was surprised by the support that has come our way in these past couple of months. From the excellent people who stepped up as my campaign staff, to the amazing volunteers who have been calling to help out, it has been encouraging to see that my campaign’s message of reemphasizing core historic Republican principles – belief in the individual, limited government closest to the people, a strong defense, and fiscal conservatism – putting practicality before politics, and the need for a fresh face, and new ideas has found so much resonance.
We have travelled from one corner to the other of this magnificent state (over 10,000 miles in 2 months), in snow and rain, and everywhere we have gone, we have seen how wonderful the people of Wyoming are. This is a great state, and its potential is only beginning to be realized. The next few years will be pivotal for our future and critical for our nation’s future. I am humbled by the opportunity that has come my way and I thank God I live in a state where the people have so much common sense.
Thank you all for your support!
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Wolf Management Returns to Wyoming
March 27, 2008
Friday is on one hand exciting because management of wolves is turned over to our state and removed from the hands of federal officials, but on the other hand it is also a reminder of a decision imposed on Wyoming and its people without enough forethought.
In the 1990s I opposed the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park. Now almost thirteen years after the enclosures were opened and 14 wolves were released into the park the state of Wyoming will take control over wolves. I want to applaud our state’s legislators for working to find a management plan that meets scientific requirements and is something the agriculture and outfitting industries can work with. The Game and Fish Department now takes on a huge task with a large financial burden. I look forward to helping them through this challenge. As a Representative in Washington I want to find ways to relieve some of the financial responsibility on the state and our outdoorsmen and women (who pay the lion’s share of the Game and Fish’s budget). At the same time I will not allow any money for the monitoring and removal of problem wolves to come with any strings attached from Congress.
People around the nation extol the virtues of having wolves back in Yellowstone. I hope they will also be willing to pay the cost of keeping them there.
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| Comment on April 17, 2008 |
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We are 5th generation Wyoming ranchers having been raised in Saratoga. To date, 15 wolves have been eliminated in Wyoming by ranchers. Wyoming ranchers are compensated for their losses. I am not compensated in my medical practice for any losses.
Secondly, the wolf as with all of God's creation, are here for a reason. The wolf eliminates the sick and ill wildlife that are destroyed so they are unable to mate.
The travesty of this type of politics is that ranchers are now killing on site any wolf. The result will be the wolf being placed back on the endangered species list.
Why is no one speaking out on the total mismanagement of our National Forests? The Medicine Bow National Forest has been devastated by the spruce beetle. We informed US Forest Service staff in Saratoga over ten years ago the beetle was destroying our forests. We now have thousand of acres of dead trees and the only use of the wood is for fire wood.
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Introducing Mark Gordon
March 24, 2008
I hope everyone was watching the Cowgirls this weekend. While they might have come up a few points short, I am proud of their tenacity and outstanding play. It was great to see the team, led by a Wyoming native coach, play its first ever NCAA tournament game. In the spirit of firsts for Wyoming, Mark Gordon debuted his commercial. If you saw it you got a chance to see Mark in action on his ranch and in his office. Isn’t the Merlin Ranch outstanding and the Bighorn Mountains amazing? If you didn’t see the ad, it’s on the website under “Mark TV.” Watch for the shot of Mark riding across a creek at the beginning. That took some fine horsemanship to get his horse across the ice and into the water.
Speaking for the Gordon Team, we’re excited because we get to introduce Mark to the people of the state. He’s not a career politician who has been in the press for years so we want people to hear about why a guy who is a businessman and a rancher would run for office. It also gives people a chance to get to know about what is important to Mark; cutting taxes, stopping illegal immigration and diversifying Wyoming’s economy by improving conditions for small business owners.
Please take the time to let us know what you think of the commercial in the comment section.
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The D.C. gun ban flies in the face of the constitutional right to bear arms.
March 21, 2008
I was fascinated by the proceedings at the Supreme Court on Tuesday. The D.C. gun ban flies in the face of the constitutional right to bear arms. The second amendment is one of our most precious rights and it applies to the citizens of the nation not some obscure construction of a ‘well regulated militia.’ Finally the court has heard arguments to allow it to settle the issue.
My wife Jennie has a concealed weapon permit. Before I married Jennie she was able to fend off an intruder to her home with 38 caliber pistol in 2000. I will fight to make sure her right and those of other citizens around the nation are protected so they never have to give up their guns.
I am a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and have educated aspiring hunters in gun safety as part of my duties at the Ucross Ranch in Sheridan County.
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| Comment on March 22, 2008 |
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Right on Mark! Stand up for our right to bear arms. I am a hunter and don't want some lawyer or liberal coming after my guns.
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| Comment on March 27, 2008 |
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You've got my vote, sir.
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| Comment on April 23, 2008 |
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In this case Mark is wrong: the politicians do get it and they have an agenda for the disarmament of the citizens of this nation. The law enforcement community is not charged with the protection of individuals; but the enforcement of the laws. Law enforcement is always after the fact in criminal activity. It is each individual's responsibility to protect himself. the Second Amendment says the right of the PEOPLE shall not be infringed. I am delighted to see a man, Mark Gordon, who has the whatevers to truly stand for the right to bear arms and for self protection!!!!
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| Comment on June 18, 2008 |
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MR. Gordon,
Thanks for your solid stand on the Second Admendment.
My three questions are:
1. Will you be "pro-gun" enough to not just defend Admendment II, but actually work to strengthen it? It would be wonderful to see a push for "Vermont or Alaska" style concealed carry without a permit take place in Wyoming.
2. Would you urge your friends and fellow Congressmen to support a bill "Respecting State Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity" about to be introduced by Senator David Vitter (R-La)that, in part will contain the following:
...Unlike another senate reciprocity measure, S. 388, Vitter's bill does not
establish "national standards" for concealed carry. It simply
says that
states that allow concealed carry must recognize the CCW permits of other
states.
Vitter's bill also respects the rights of states that allow concealed carry
without a permit. Citizens of Vermont and non-license holders in Alaska are
allowed to carry concealed without a permit. Under the Vitter bill, these
states would be recognized in the same manner as states that do issue
permits......?
3. Will you defend us gun lovers that sometimes love to own and shoot firearms designed primarily for self defense or, just FUN...ie, so- called "Assault" style sporting rifles?
Hope you will respond.
Thanks,
Paul Worden
Buffalo, Wyoming
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