Yesterday, I had to make a very important phone call, one that could help in bringing down a state politician. It was a difficult thing to do, but necessary. I had direct evidence, involving a couple of my siblings, that she had lied about where she lived when she swore on oath in order to be put on the ballot for her city district.

It has been a bitter and contentious campaign between her and her opponent. There's been plenty of mudslinging which nobody was happy about. But, she swore to the county clerk that she lived with my siblings for two years when she never lived with them at all, all so that she could run for reelection in her district. Unbeknownst to us, she apparently swore this for the previous campaign in 1998, too. This came as a complete surprise to all of my family.

I talked with the reporter many times, yesterday. We knew the implications of my phone call and the subsequent conversations he had with my sisters' former landlord, who confirmed what I'd said when acting as spokesperson for my siblings who no longer live here. The penalties could mean a prison term of 20 years and 20,000 dollars. He was heartsick, as was I. In the end, he did a superb job of presenting a very non-sensational, balanced report of facts.

A new kind of responsibility on my shoulders. Years ago I would have been wickedly zealous and righteous in my outrage at her lies and manipulation. With a few years of mellowing, I just found myself feeling sad for a woman who has obviously lost control and good judgement.

The reporter spoke to me of "my courage" in coming forward, but I didn't feel courageous as it wasn't costing me anything. I had nothing to lose; while she is looking at a possible complete and drastic change to her entire life.

I have had a lot of partisan thoughts about it, as she is of the majority party in Wyoming, while I am in the minority, but in trying to be humanitarian about this whole thing, they stayed below the surface. Who could be gleeful about something so tragic and sad? About someone who had been a friend to their siblings?

Lots of heavy thoughts on this one, phoaks. Thanks for listening.

kat