Matthew

Columbus Day Observed is one of those strange holidays that seems to exist only in the federal bureaucracy, at least as far as here is concerned. No doubt, further north, it has more meaning. The only recognition locally is the closing of banks and post offices. No parades. No flags. No banquets.

Today will be remembered by "many here among us" for a different reason - the death of Matthew Shepard. A year ago, I tried for some sense of closure and was unsuccessful. And a year later, I'm no closer. Within the year, much has been revealed about his past including the prior sexual assault, chronic depression, and drinking binges. But instead of clarifying, each detail makes the murder more tragic.

Matthew was a diminutive person, certainly no physical threat to anyone. But the murderers were so threatened by his mere presence that they felt compelled to eliminate him. Has not such logic been used before - as in the "final solution" and the immoral whirlwind of the Holocaust? And the great horror is that this chilling logic is still here!

PAX!