Feature ArticleNovember 7, 2001
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Tall lawmen with droopy moustachesDear David,
A number of my supporters have expressed a concern with your depiction
of me as a Polish Wyatt Erp, so I feel the following letter to the
Editor is necessary.
I have assured those who have taken exception that we could first
presume you meant US Marshall Wyatt Berry Stapp EARP (1848-1929), not
ERP, and that with a surname like Cybulski, my ethnic roots should be
openly obvious, as opposed to being perceived as any form of issue
with anyone.
I
have also given assurances that the comparison was based solely on the
shared commonalities; that Marshall Earp and I were both tall lawmen
with droopy moustaches curled at the ends, and that I am not being
portrayed in an attempt at humor as just some "cowboy"
political hopeful.
Wyatt Earp has been both reviled and worshipped, depending upon which
side of his history one might favor. Therefore, in fairness to your
readers and my supporters, I believe some further comparative data
should be offered.
The
late lawman's English and Scottish forbearers emigrated to America in
the early 1700s for religious freedom; my great-grandparents came to
Canada in the late 1800's to avoid religious persecution.
Legend says Marshall Earp was a compulsive gambler who was
opportunistic and would do almost anything to turn a profit. He was
prone to fighting, had a temper, and landed in jail a few times. He
made errors in judgment and was not known for his political savvy. His
best friend was a notorious killer for whom he may have lied to
protect.
I, on the other hand, restrict my non-compulsive gambling to lottery
tickets and some "kitchen table poker. I subscribe to the
theory that one should take advantage of opportunity, but not purely
for the sake of profit. I have never backed away from any fight, fair
or otherwise, and have talked my way out of plenty. I do admit to
having a controlled temper, and have been in jail MANY times, but only
to deposit a customer or two. I too have made some decisions which
turned out to be erroneous, but have always been able to back those
judgments with sound reasoning. I survived 30 years of government
employment in a paramilitary setting (with 12 years as an
administrator) and retired with NO disciplinary action on my record,
so I consider myself to have had some political smarts. I put killers
behind bars, and testified to the truth countless times, even when it
was to a defendant's advantage.
Wyatt Earp was ALSO said to be no plaster saint, but rather, was the
kind of man the citizenry wanted walking in front of them in
dangerous times. He stepped on a few toes along the way, but
that made him known as a man of circumstance who did what he thought
he had to do. He was more prone to "buffalo" someone
alongside the head rather than get into a shootout; however, it was
never considered good policy to draw on Earp unless you got the drop
on him, and only then if you intended to burn powder without any
preliminary talk.
Following the famous (or perhaps infamous), shootout at the OK Corral,
Earp stood trial and was acquitted on charges of murder. A petition of
support presented by the citizenry at his trial before Magistrate
Wells Spicer described Wyatt as honorable, ever vigilant, kind and
courteous, brave and unflinching, and on all occasions proving himself
to be the right man in the right place. At other times Earp has been
noted for his absolute confidence in himself, his strength,
proficiency, and courage.
Not exactly bad characteristics to which mine might be compared, I
say!
Wyatt Earp and his supporters WON the gunfight at the OK Corral, and
he was the only participant to come out unharmed. Perhaps this can be
attributed to his thick skin .... another trait which I believe he and
I share.
I thank you for the opportunity to respond.
Will
Cybulski
