April 5th, 2010

It’s unfortunate that I have to start my Monday with another conversation with the FBI about the individuals who emailed death threats to me at the beginning of the year. They have returned – hitting the site after midnight this morning from an Brigham Young University off-campus location. I’ll phone the dean of the school again today and contact the authorities. Hope the perpetrators feel their impending losses were worth it. On this day more than 128 years ago, the western public was a buzz with the news that the notorious Jesse James had been killed. Bob Ford, known as “that dirty little coward,” put a bullet in the back of James’s head. Immediately afterwards he scampered down to the telegraph office to claim the reward offered by Governor Crittenden. Ford’s fame did not have the desired outcome he’d hoped. The film The Assassination of Jesse James by Bob Ford was a gritty picture, well acted by Casey Affleck. It is one of my favorite westerns. Many of my favorite western are so because of the memorable dialogue. Tombstone, The Unforgiven, and Once Upon a Time in the West are great quotable westerns. The theme of revenge is a particular favorite of mine. That subject matter makes for some unforgettable lines. Throughout every period in history that subject matter has made for some unforgettable lines. Here are a few: “I will not leave you until I see you hanged.” Jean Baptise Paquelin Moliene, “If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge.” William Shakespeare. “All the old knives that have rusted in my back, I drive in yours.” Phaedrus. “No more tears now; I will think about revenge.” Mary Queen of Scots. I’ve got a lot of work to do on the Elizabeth Custer manuscript today, but I will be thinking of Mary Queen of Scots sentiments when I speak with the authorities this morning. “No more tears now; I will think about revenge.”