Coyote

 

Influences

Coyote

Multiple Definitions

By Stephen L. Wilmeth

 

            The uproar over the president’s use of the term, coyote, during the final debate is symptomatic of the times.

            The orchestration of this symphonic work of hate seems to be endless. It became a point of puzzlement during the last fellow’s terms when the basic mode of governance was condemnation of his predecessor. Few of us out here in the hinterlands could fathom that casting dispersions could be the central theme of any administration.

            But, it was, and, it has been elevated, … into a polarizing artform.

            Influences

            My paternal grandfather probably had more impact on my political leanings than any other single influence.

            He was a strict conservative and proudly filled the number two slot of his precinct’s registration list. There were only 16 names on the right side of that ledger.

            His demeanor was seldom anything other than serious.

            In fact, stoic could be substituted for serious. When I think about him, there is seldom a memory of anything suggesting leisure or fun. He worked and that extended to we when we were there with he and Grandma Sabre on the Mangus in that little board and batten house. His explanations were crisp and to the point. I am not sure I could remember outright or extended criticism of anybody, but you sure knew when he didn’t agree with something.

            He was north/south in his assessment of everything.

            He was also as color blind as anybody I have ever been around. The only thing that mattered was honesty, grit, and completion. In the Fred Ramsey book, a hint of what people thought of him was offered. He suffered fools very unwillingly.

            He would not approve of today’s politics.

            The other grandfather was registered as the liberal counterpart, but he certainly wasn’t liberal in the sense of what seems to prevail today in this progressive movement. His political roots came from his family who came out of Texas in the postbellum era when the term democrat had a much different inference.

            His demeanor was much more verbal. His emotions were worn on his sleeve, but he was so important in my early life. He made sure I had things that mattered at times when they were appropriate, needed, and, forever, appreciated.

            He, too, would not approve of today’s politics. In fact, both, from political and personality opposite spectrums, would be appalled.

            Multiple Definitions

            So, the president’s reference to coyotes and Mexican children triggered an expected response.

            It was no surprise, therefore, that the left’s communication conductor cued the popcorn section with crescendo swagger to perform the honors. The president was bashed with typical poison. The themes ranged from accusations the kids’ parents were compared to coyotes to the suggestion he was really comparing them to dogs.

            They apparently have no clue.

Border ranchers know a lot about coyotes. In fact, we could correctly recite three definitions of the word. The first is Canis latrans, the little wolf whose fresh tracks can be found every morning even when a glimpse of him is missed. He is an opportunist of the highest order. He has thrived in the modern world.

In the president’s defense, his reference was to a second definition of the word, the go to tour directors, who lead human cargo across la frontera, the international border. They seem to be thriving if for no other reason than the number of them that exist.

Two examples are appropriate.

The first was from early in the century in another drought. Stumbling out of the pickup at sunup and walking to a water storage tank with the sun in my eyes, I realized I wasn’t alone. Sitting around the tank with their backs against the steel tank cooled by water inside were an unknown number of illegals. They had walked to the tank, drank, and were resting before continuing. Their numbers may have actually closed the entire circumference, but that was not confirmed.

The coyote intervened.

He sought my eyes and nodding no and waving his finger in similar fashion, he clearly communicated don’t come any closer.

I didn’t. I nodded back at him, turned around, started my truck, and drove away.

The second was a group of eight with the coyote making it nine. Again, at sunup, I saw movement and color in the creosote to the west just as I crossed the cattle guard into the Burris Pasture. I rolled to a stop and pulled the mountain cheaters. The coyote immediately ordered the group to drop and they did. He repeatedly raised his head to look into the sun at me.

I was struck by how red his hair was.

I called the Border Patrol and a patrol vehicle with a single officer was there within 15 minutes. It took at least that long to get the officer to see what I was trying to show him. He didn’t have binoculars, so I was trying to show him the group with him looking through mine. He finally saw them when the coyote once again popped up giving his location away.

Oh, there’s a guy’s head!

He finally called for assistance to have two radios to direct the other officer to the location. That whole process took another half hour complicated by the other officer not having any field glasses either and then driving off in another direction obviously not understanding the instructions where the group was hiding.

I was watching him through the glasses when he finally walked to them with play by play radio instruction. He jumped like he’d been snake bit when the red headed guy stood up.

I am not sure he really believed anybody was there.

Coyote

There is a third and important definition.

It is the real topic of needed discussion. It is of western vernacular and describes a low life outlaw whose sole purpose in life is to confound and or confuse any and all things. These folks exist and there is certainly evidence they exist in growing numbers.

Both of my childhood influences would agree on the appropriate and directed use of the word. They would be united reminding us there are things we must agree upon regardless of our fundamental beliefs and circumstances. Similarly, there are things we should reject and reject with emphasis and finality.

Orchestrated hatred should top the list. 

Stephen L. Wilmeth is a rancher from southern New Mexico. “No, no, don’t show that picture. They will believe it!”