Our local newspaper and the governor have just given a white nationalist group a ton of free publicity

Now we live in a world of insanity

Fear is the key to what you want to be

You don't get a say, the majority gets its way

You're outnumbered by the bastards till the day you die

-- Iron Maiden 

   

BY RICHARD JOHNSON

The last week in the  Cheyenne news has been flooded with paranoia. White supremacist flyers and  school shooting Snapchats are the two events that come readily to mind. 

Here is my

Newspaper, governor and police feed local paranoia.

observation on these two events. I’m already prepared for the onslaught of criticism and you're more than welcome to write a rebuttal. 

            First up to bat are the white supremacist flyers. Hisses and catcalls go to the governor and the local newspaper for even giving these pieces of shit the time of day. All fringe groups want is attention and to recruit, and both the governor and the paper just fed their organization. 

I’m not even going to say the names of these groups because that just gives them the notoriety they seek. If I ran their social media platforms, I would share the links to the free propaganda the governor and newspaper just gave them. If the legitimate media and those of power and influence give you a forum, it makes it easier to recruit. 

Sure, all the social media darlings will shout praise that these groups were dispelled as not welcome in Wyoming. But all those that didn’t emoji the thread were looking into a group they’d never heard of and may be the new chapter head of a new satellite. 

Think of it this way. How many of you read concert flyers on light poles and actually go to the concert? That’s right, none. 

Now, how many of you read about a concert in the paper and show up? A few.

The best action would’ve been to rip the flyers off the poles, throw them in the garbage where they belong, and say nothing. 

Don’t give them to the cops. They’ll share it on Facebook and generate more fear. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Think before you act, people. 

The second one is this Snapchat school shooter thing. 

I can understand posting a pixelated shoplifter, but don’t fuel the hysteria by posting clickbait. You’re becoming part of the problem, not the solution. 

I shouldn’t have to educate law enforcement about how detective work is conducted. Follow a lead, isolate the problem and don’t beat your chest when you solve the case. 

You know that all these school shootings are done by disgruntled individuals who want their 15 minutes of fame, and you are giving it to them. Quit trying to be Internet heroes and just keep the community safe. 

Some 1,500 thumbs up and 500 shares aren’t worth the community’s piece of mind. Nothing sparks more paranoia, distrust and rumors than parents who feel their kids aren’t safe. 

On a sidebar, quit sharing every person who is arrested. It taints the jury pool. One day it could be you, and I’m sure you would want an unbiased jury after your social media crucifixion.

Who am I kidding? It’s easier to kick people when they’re down. 

I guess PSA now stands for Please Scare All.

Richard Johnson is a former City Council member from Cheyenne’s east side.