Dear Editor:

Sadly, if there’s one message I take away from your story of March 22, “Park County Republicans ...,” it is the similarity in tactics between this group and fascist regimes around the world who use intimidation and exclusion to advance their agendas. 

Two separate quotes in your article highlight my perspective: the first by Tim Lasseter (“If we could discourage people like Dan Dockstader and Eric Barlow from participating, I’m all for discouraging that.”) and the second from Paul Lanchbury (quipping, “you’ve got to admit, they [the meetings] go a lot smoother” with some committee members absent.)

I’m reminded of Wayne LaPierre’s famous quote about jackbooted thugs. Turns out, from a particular point of view, the problem is not with ALL jackbooted thugs — just the ones who have a different opinion about the way the world should work.

Why are half the Republicans on the committee not showing up for meetings? It could be that they’re exhausted by having to counter, repeatedly, the misinformation upon which these proto-fascists are basing their beliefs (COVID is a hoax — just ask the million dead Americans!)  Or it might be because of the verbal abuse or intimidation they face whenever they contradict the jackbooted-thug wing of the party (i.e. Troy Bray’s infamous email.)

I’m not a Republican so I’d like to say I don’t care, but what happens in these meetings ultimately affects all Wyoming residents. I’d like to encourage no-show Republicans to start attending these meetings, and take their party back from the proto-fascists, if they truly believe in a democratic republic.

Phil Anthony

Powell