— by Greg Kearney

Draw! is an occasional editorial cartoon by Greg Kearney.

— For more information on Wyoming’s new data trespass laws (SF 80, enacted on July 1, 2015, and SF 12, enacted on March, 5, 2015) read these WyoFile stories:

WyoFile showcases potentially illegal photos of Wyoming, Oct. 19, 2015
Lawsuit challenges constitutionality of data trespass laws, Oct. 2015
Groups sue Wyoming over “data trespassing” law, Sept. 2015
Critics say Wyoming data trespassing law criminalizes science, May 2015
Data trespassing bill is aimed at public lands grazing battle, May 2015
High-stakes suit pits ranchers against water-sampling greens, by E&E, Nov. 2014

— Columns, editorial cartoons and other opinions are the signed perspective of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of WyoFile’s staff, board of directors or its supporters. WyoFile welcomes guest columns and op-ed pieces from all points of view. If you’d like to write a guest column or submit an editorial cartoon for WyoFile, please contact WyoFile editor-in-chief Dustin Bleizeffer at dustin@wyofile.com.

Join the Conversation

2 Comments

WyoFile's goal is to provide readers with information and ideas that foster constructive conversations about the issues and opportunities our communities face. One small piece of how we do that is by offering a space below each story for readers to share perspectives, experiences and insights. For this to work, we need your help.

What we're looking for: 

  • Your real name — first and last. 
  • Direct responses to the article. Tell us how your experience relates to the story.
  • The truth. Share factual information that adds context to the reporting.
  • Thoughtful answers to questions raised by the reporting or other commenters.
  • Tips that could advance our reporting on the topic.
  • No more than three comments per story, including replies. 

What we block from our comments section, when we see it:

  • Pseudonyms. WyoFile stands behind everything we publish, and we expect commenters to do the same by using their real name.
  • Comments that are not directly relevant to the article. 
  • Demonstrably false claims, what-about-isms, references to debunked lines of rhetoric, professional political talking points or links to sites trafficking in misinformation.
  • Personal attacks, profanity, discriminatory language or threats.
  • Arguments with other commenters.

Other important things to know: 

  • Appearing in WyoFile’s comments section is a privilege, not a right or entitlement. 
  • We’re a small team and our first priority is reporting. Depending on what’s going on, comments may be moderated 24 to 48 hours from when they’re submitted — or even later. If you comment in the evening or on the weekend, please be patient. We’ll get to it when we’re back in the office.
  • We’re not interested in managing squeaky wheels, and even if we wanted to, we don't have time to address every single commenter’s grievance. 
  • Try as we might, we will make mistakes. We’ll fail to catch aliases, mistakenly allow folks to exceed the comment limit and occasionally miss false statements. If that’s going to upset you, it’s probably best to just stick with our journalism and avoid the comments section.
  • We don’t mediate disputes between commenters. If you have concerns about another commenter, please don’t bring them to us.

The bottom line:

If you repeatedly push the boundaries, make unreasonable demands, get caught lying or generally cause trouble, we will stop approving your comments — maybe forever. Such moderation decisions are not negotiable or subject to explanation. If civil and constructive conversation is not your goal, then our comments section is not for you. 

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. One does not need a badge to observe the wonders of the world.
    Don’t any feel sad that 59 grizzly bears died in Yellowstone Park in 2015.(according to some WyoFILE piece)? What % of the Grizzly population in Yellowstone, passed in 2015?
    Of course, no rancher owns the bears? Most people in Wyoming don’t even hold a water diversion appropriation permit. Recall, the meek shall inherit the Earth, but not the water rights. Colo has some flawed laws on water rights, and it created limitations on water rights(reserved) for National Parks.
    Recently, Colorado has lost water cases to other States. e. g Kansas sued Colorado for taking too much water that by law was required to flow downstream to Kansas.

    Jim Hagood

  2. So much in Wyo is deemed criminal, after the BLM 6 were sued.(by some CLUB)
    But. the Harvard Professor stuck out in his advocation to the U S Supreme Court, Yet, he still smeared the BLM 6 in some disgraceful Law Review. And, this was the so called professor who was supposed to be Obama’s appointee in teh DOJ for equal access to justice in federal courts. I noted to the U of Wyo Law folks who asked on ABA review for comments. I noted I had his little red book on Constitutional Law at the U(Laramie), and the notion of “public trust”, was going through a period of erosion in the U S in recent years. Take notice, judicial if you will of: Robbins v the BLM 6(Wilkie et al). Recall, Tribe was going to be the CHAMP of justice for some Rubber Barron from Alabama, who had trophy ranches in WYO.
    He had great hostility against BLM (FED employees), and so this crusade on data, has deep roots, all part of the sage-brush rebellion. Recall, all wild life is not owned by THE RANCH KINGS of Wyoming, as if they are the new plantation CLUB. But, privatizing privacy on public lands is some new frontier for
    the plantation CLUB. Another thing that drives them wild is the term: Waters of the United States.
    Is Water in Wyoming really held in trust for the PEOPLE? See the Constitution of Wyoming.

    Jim Hagood