(This is to introduce the audio interview of Rev. Hansen Wendlandt, pastor of the Nederland Presbyterian Church. This interview can be heard on Nedheads, Nedtalk and archive.org)
The attempt to bomb the Nederland police station on October 11, the
arrest of David Michael Ansberrry (a.k.a. Midget Jesse) and the
subsequent publicity, has presented a disturbing panorama of
local history.
arrest of David Michael Ansberrry (a.k.a. Midget Jesse) and the
subsequent publicity, has presented a disturbing panorama of
local history.
In 1971, as it is in 2016, this area, these mountains were the
destination of many people who were part of a new cultural, social,
economic and political paradigm. This area competed with the Haight
/Ashbury neighborhood of San Franciso as a "hippy" destination. This
new "counter-cultural" paradigm was very different, some would argue
it was antagonistic, to that held by the areas' resident population.
destination of many people who were part of a new cultural, social,
economic and political paradigm. This area competed with the Haight
/Ashbury neighborhood of San Franciso as a "hippy" destination. This
new "counter-cultural" paradigm was very different, some would argue
it was antagonistic, to that held by the areas' resident population.
In 1971, one of the more notable groups, was STP. This group is said
to have included as many as several hundred people, and their rowdy,
disruptive behavior made them the demonized others of their time.
to have included as many as several hundred people, and their rowdy,
disruptive behavior made them the demonized others of their time.
"They contributed daily to the job security of law enforcement
officers," reads a recent 'Washington Post' story.
officers," reads a recent 'Washington Post' story.
Nederland Town Marshal Renner Forbes, "had a reputation of being heavy
handed," reads the 'Washington Post'. In 1997 he confessed to taking
Guy Goughnor, 19, (a.k.a. Deputy Dawg), a more conspicuous member of STP
into custody at the Pioneer Inn, shooting him in the head, and dumping
the body two counties over.
handed," reads the 'Washington Post'. In 1997 he confessed to taking
Guy Goughnor, 19, (a.k.a. Deputy Dawg), a more conspicuous member of STP
into custody at the Pioneer Inn, shooting him in the head, and dumping
the body two counties over.
Revenge for this is said to be the motive of the attempted bombing of
the police station.
the police station.
"Folks were afraid," reads a Boulder Magazine story about the local
events of 1971. "Extremists formed vigilante squads and attacked at
least one hippie camp near Nederland."
events of 1971. "Extremists formed vigilante squads and attacked at
least one hippie camp near Nederland."
It seems as if this history is repeating itself.
Again Nederland and the surroundings mountains are the destination of
people who have become the demonized others of local residents. Again
there is talk of forming vigilante organizations, of lynching, of
punishing those who are seen as assisting or enabling the others. And
again these demonized others contribute daily to the job security of
local law enforcement officers.
people who have become the demonized others of local residents. Again
there is talk of forming vigilante organizations, of lynching, of
punishing those who are seen as assisting or enabling the others. And
again these demonized others contribute daily to the job security of
local law enforcement officers.
The difference between 1971 and 2016 is that the movement of people in
1971 was a hopeful thing. The counter-culture was about the new
possibilities of the Human, new, hopeful prospects of the Human
future. The movement of people in 2016 is often the movement of the
destitute, the dispossessed, the hopeless, the broken.
1971 was a hopeful thing. The counter-culture was about the new
possibilities of the Human, new, hopeful prospects of the Human
future. The movement of people in 2016 is often the movement of the
destitute, the dispossessed, the hopeless, the broken.
Members of Rev. Wendlandt congregation at Nederland's Presbyterian
Church have accused him of assisting/enabling these people. They have
withheld financial and personal support. And yet, Rev. Wendlandt is
all about meeting this Human exodus with common-sense, with love - and
yet, its a tough, thoughtful love and compassion.
Church have accused him of assisting/enabling these people. They have
withheld financial and personal support. And yet, Rev. Wendlandt is
all about meeting this Human exodus with common-sense, with love - and
yet, its a tough, thoughtful love and compassion.
He speaks of how close this community came, this summer, to hideous
acts of violence. He speaks of how some of 'the others' came very close
to bringing violence on themselves by defying the fire ban even after
the fire.
acts of violence. He speaks of how some of 'the others' came very close
to bringing violence on themselves by defying the fire ban even after
the fire.
Like 1971, this is a defining time for Nederland. Let us not define
ourselves by responding to the current situation with hate,
dysfunction and violence.
ourselves by responding to the current situation with hate,
dysfunction and violence.
Let's listen to Rev. Wendlandt.