Billy The Kid - Lost Interviews
COMING THIS FALL
Billy the Kid in the News Again!
By now many of you have seen the news report wherein New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson refused to grant a pardon to the outlaw Billy the Kid for a crime he may or may not have committed 130 years ago. Richardson made the announcement on ABC’s Good Morning America on his last day in office.
What are we to make of this? First of all, we must assume that not much is going on in New Mexico if this is what is occupying the governor’s time. Second of all, though a standing governor has the power to issue pardons, there is little reason to do so in this case, save for garnering a bit of last minute publicity for himself. Otherwise, why go on a commercial television show to announce what is technically a legal matter?
While Richardson claims to be history buff and boasts about some knowledge of Billy the Kid, the truth is he doesn’t know very much at all if his published comments and observations are any indication. Like any other politician, he can rattle off a few superficial “facts” about a topic, but beyond that Richardson is ignorant, and his quoted comments prove it. Ignorant is not used as a negative term here; it simply refers to lacking knowledge. Ignorant is different from stupid. Richardson lacks knowledge, but he is not stupid.
The problem with this sort of thing is that, at a time when Billy the Kid history is being re-investigated and new information and truths are popping up that provide reason to doubt and question the long-accepted orthodoxy at it relates to the Kid, people like Richardson do nothing more than muddy the waters and divert attention away from real and potential truths. But remember: Richardson is a politician, thus truth may not be a high priority for him.
This is not the first time Richardson has employed the Billy the Kid legend as a photo-op. While he poses for photographs, gets interviewed by people who know less than he does, and spouts “facts” that are not facts at all, in the end nothing gets accomplished save for a bit of TV time for him and more sound bytes of misinformation spewed out into the public. Within a few days it blows over.
Other than Richardson and the state of New Mexico, who benefits? Nobody. Even Richardson says his television appearance is “good for tourism … it has gotten great publicity for the state.” We wonder if it will be enough to offset the embarrassment he generates. When asked about Richardson’s rejection of a pardon for Billy the Kid, New Mexico Governor-elect Susana Martinez commented, “…there are more pressing issues facing the state.” Indeed.
Publicity is good, but truth is better. Chambers of Commerce, developers, and retailers will likely not agree with me, but I’m not in this for profit, I’m in it for truth. Surely, there is room for some truth in all of this, wouldn’t you think? I’m talking to you, Governor.
Bill Richardson is first and foremost a politician. As such, our long and deep experience as a writer and an observer of society leads us to believe he is less interested in truth than the average person.
I have an invitation to issue Bill Richardson: Governor, I invite you to discuss and debate with me the current state of knowledge and information relative to Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War. I want you to have the opportunity to provide evidence and/or proof for your statements and allow me time for rebuttal. Likewise, you will then let me to present my case for the notion that much of your Billy the Kid history is bogus, that there is a logical, reasonable, and provable alternative to the orthodoxy. In turn, you will be given time to refute me. Following this, we will debate. I don’t mean one of those scripted, artificial, colorless debates that politicians insist on and indulge in, but a real one. The media will love it and you will get your photo on television and in the newspapers. And you know what? If I may re-employ your own words, it will be great publicity for the state.
Why should we do such a thing? It’s simple, Governor. It is a quest for the truth.
In order to give you a head start, let me recommend you read my book Billy the Kid: Beyond the Grave (Taylor Trade Publishing, 2005).
I look forward to hearing from you.
By now many of you have seen the news report wherein New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson refused to grant a pardon to the outlaw Billy the Kid for a crime he may or may not have committed 130 years ago. Richardson made the announcement on ABC’s Good Morning America on his last day in office.
What are we to make of this? First of all, we must assume that not much is going on in New Mexico if this is what is occupying the governor’s time. Second of all, though a standing governor has the power to issue pardons, there is little reason to do so in this case, save for garnering a bit of last minute publicity for himself. Otherwise, why go on a commercial television show to announce what is technically a legal matter?
While Richardson claims to be history buff and boasts about some knowledge of Billy the Kid, the truth is he doesn’t know very much at all if his published comments and observations are any indication. Like any other politician, he can rattle off a few superficial “facts” about a topic, but beyond that Richardson is ignorant, and his quoted comments prove it. Ignorant is not used as a negative term here; it simply refers to lacking knowledge. Ignorant is different from stupid. Richardson lacks knowledge, but he is not stupid.
The problem with this sort of thing is that, at a time when Billy the Kid history is being re-investigated and new information and truths are popping up that provide reason to doubt and question the long-accepted orthodoxy at it relates to the Kid, people like Richardson do nothing more than muddy the waters and divert attention away from real and potential truths. But remember: Richardson is a politician, thus truth may not be a high priority for him.
This is not the first time Richardson has employed the Billy the Kid legend as a photo-op. While he poses for photographs, gets interviewed by people who know less than he does, and spouts “facts” that are not facts at all, in the end nothing gets accomplished save for a bit of TV time for him and more sound bytes of misinformation spewed out into the public. Within a few days it blows over.
Other than Richardson and the state of New Mexico, who benefits? Nobody. Even Richardson says his television appearance is “good for tourism … it has gotten great publicity for the state.” We wonder if it will be enough to offset the embarrassment he generates. When asked about Richardson’s rejection of a pardon for Billy the Kid, New Mexico Governor-elect Susana Martinez commented, “…there are more pressing issues facing the state.” Indeed.
Publicity is good, but truth is better. Chambers of Commerce, developers, and retailers will likely not agree with me, but I’m not in this for profit, I’m in it for truth. Surely, there is room for some truth in all of this, wouldn’t you think? I’m talking to you, Governor.
Bill Richardson is first and foremost a politician. As such, our long and deep experience as a writer and an observer of society leads us to believe he is less interested in truth than the average person.
I have an invitation to issue Bill Richardson: Governor, I invite you to discuss and debate with me the current state of knowledge and information relative to Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War. I want you to have the opportunity to provide evidence and/or proof for your statements and allow me time for rebuttal. Likewise, you will then let me to present my case for the notion that much of your Billy the Kid history is bogus, that there is a logical, reasonable, and provable alternative to the orthodoxy. In turn, you will be given time to refute me. Following this, we will debate. I don’t mean one of those scripted, artificial, colorless debates that politicians insist on and indulge in, but a real one. The media will love it and you will get your photo on television and in the newspapers. And you know what? If I may re-employ your own words, it will be great publicity for the state.
Why should we do such a thing? It’s simple, Governor. It is a quest for the truth.
In order to give you a head start, let me recommend you read my book Billy the Kid: Beyond the Grave (Taylor Trade Publishing, 2005).
I look forward to hearing from you.
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