The crooked teeth of the gift horse

I
n one of the most decisive steps yet taken in the international effort to convince Vladimir Putin to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the United States is leading the way on banning Russian oil imports.
While it seems this particular sanction could have the greatest impact on the Russian economy — and be most effective at ultimately convincing Putin to withdraw forces from Ukraine and seek peace — it is even more certain that Americans will be confronted by even higher gasoline prices as Russian oil is taken off the market.
Perhaps more importantly for Wyoming, that also means domestic oil prices will rise. So while we will suffer personally at the pumps, our schools, cities, counties and other essential government agencies and services will all benefit from the increased revenue that will roll into
state coffers.
Our workers are also likely to get more hours and higher wages, and Wyoming’s economy — which has been rocked by the escalating transition to renewable energy — will get a much needed shot in the arm.
The immediate need for domestic oil in the face of international turmoil and uncertainty is also somewhat vindicating for Wyoming business and political leaders who have repeatedly cautioned Washington D.C. to avoid rushing such a transition — and to maintain appropriate levels of domestic fossil fuel production — for just such a moment as this.
So while the whole nation will be asked to make sacrifices at the gas pump, the people of Wyoming will take on the additional burden of rolling up their sleeves to make up the shortfall in the oil supply.
Wyoming will ride to the rescue once more, all the while knowing that the world will someday turn back against us — and our so-called “dirty energy.” 
But we will put our heads down and work through it to deliver when the nation needs us, just as we have throughout our history.
And we will do it with a wry smile on our faces, just like the one worn by countless steely-eyed and hard-nosed frontier marshals who knew “society” that so desperately needed them would someday spurn them and — sometimes not so politely — ask that they quietly move on down the road.
Of course, that never happened until the town had been cleaned up and made safe for the “civilized folk,” so Wyoming should enjoy the boost in its prestige and financial fortunes while it lasts and make hay while the sun is shining…as they say.
But even more importantly, Wyoming should humbly step up and serve the country and the world because the Code of the West says we should always “do what has to be done.” 
As Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis) said in the movie Armageddon, “The United States government just asked us to save the world. Anybody want to say ‘no’?”
The Code of the West also says we ought to “talk less and say more,” and this is probably one of those times too.