Off-highway vehicles Public land available to all
Response to George Wuerthner (guest column, Jan. 27):The analogy of not allowing someone to ride an ATV across a lawn makes no sense. The lawn is private land so the owner has every right to not allow it. Federal land is not privately owned land. I wouldn't let someone camp on my lawn, but I can't tell them they can't camp on federal land. People camping on public land sometimes let campfires get out of control starting forest fires, which do more damage than all the off-highway vehicles; should we tell campers they are not allowed on public land?
I think not.
There are hundreds of miles of trails for non-motorized travel on the local national forests, but as far as I know not one mile of OHV trails for full-size 4x4s that is any challenge.
The statement was made that he thought it ironic someone could be arrested for spray-painting a Forest Service sign, but we assume it is legal to tear up miles of land. Well, it is illegal to operate any OHV off of a road or trail. If you see it happening turn them into the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Public land is our land and as such I have every right as an OHV operator to use those lands for my recreation, the same as everyone does.
Ron Burris, Missoula
TrappingGet contraptions off our public lands
Thank you Missoulian for your article on the golden eagle and a reminder of the horrific booby traps and land mines that degrade our public lands compliments of the trapping industry (Jan. 22 "Golden eagle injured in conibear trap, euthanized"). One can only wonder how many other birds and animals - wild and domestic - suffer similar fates. It would appear that the golden eagle's plight is just the tip of the iceberg with this virtually unregulated industry.If you are as appalled as I am that trapping is still allowed on public lands, let Gov. Brian Schweitzer and the FWP Commission know that this is an unacceptable use of public lands, where a very small special-interest group benefits at the expense of everyone else. Who can feel comfortable walking on public land thinking your next step might be into a lethal trap?
There are no laws that require public notification of where traps are located. There are few regulations governing trapping and the few there are, either are unenforceable or, obviously, have not been enforced, such as the requirement that traps have tags identifying the trapper - there was no identifying tag on the trap that claimed the golden eagle.
Until something can be done to outlaw this cruel and barbaric practice I would like to urge everyone who recreates on public land to attend the public workshops offered by Footloose Montana. They offer a factual and professional presentation of issues related to trapping as well as basic first aid for your dog if caught in a trap.
Susanne O'Connor, Kalispell
EnergyFuture policy needs to be realistic
I was glad President Bush included energy security as part of the State of the Union address. It is, by far, one of the most important issues facing us today. We must further research and development new technologies and various sources to create an affordable and reliable supply of energy. However, we cannot live on the technology of tomorrow, today. We have to find ways to efficiently and affordably harness the current supply of energy.Renewable energy is growing every day, but it is not growing at a fast enough rate to replace a significant percentage of the oil, natural gas and coal that we currently use. If we were forced to meet this demand exclusively through foreign imports, it would be catastrophic to our economy, to our personal finances and to the bottom line. And if we continue to hammer away at our domestic energy companies, this may be our only course of action. Instead, we must create a policy that utilizes our domestic resources, foreign imports and new technology. We must be realistic about the current state of our energy resources, about the availability of alternative fuels and how much they can realistically contribute to our overall energy supply. We must continue to work toward developing reliable and diverse sources of energy, but we cannot use mandates to artificially boost demand for its production and consumption. In short, we must keep our policy diverse and fluid.
The president can continue to show leadership by supporting efficiency incentives for businesses and through technology and trade partnerships. One such partnership, AP6, is designed to improve energy efficiency and lessen the environmental impact in the world's fastest growing economies: Asia and India. Congress can build upon this leadership with a policy that does not restrict our energy supply, but expands it.
Jill Hanson, Missoula
HungerWe must give food to starving Haitians
How many of us in Missoula, or even this country, had nothing for food today but a dirt cookie (Missoulian, Jan. 30)?Won't someone (individuals, corporations, organizations, government, churches, etc.) with energy, expertise and desire, organize an effort to help our poor Haitian neighbors?
How about using our proposed federal tax windfall to buy, ship and distribute at least some rice, flour and other essentials to replace the dirt in their diets? (I'd pledge mine.)
Surely God would notice and may even bless America, as so often requested by our politicians and clergy.
David C. Terry, Missoula
Pearl HarborDon't understate soldiers' sacrifice
I hardly know where to begin in response to Merrel Clubb's opinion piece (Jan. 30) extolling the "virtue" of Jeannette Rankin's vote against going to war with Japan in 1941.In typical "BAF" (blame America first) fashion, Clubb attempts to malign the motives and bravery of those young men and women who responded to the call to arms brought on by Japan's attack of Pearl Harbor, implying that Rankin's "no" vote took more "guts" than that shown by the young men and women flocking to the recruitment centers knowing that they may never come back whole, if at all.
I can believe that Roosevelt quite possibly had a premonition that an attack by Japan was possible. However, I would like to ask Clubb exactly what Roosevelt's course of action should have been? Perhaps a pre-emptive strike on Japan? It would have taken a greater leader than Roosevelt to go against the isolationist views of the American people at that time and take such action. But that was then and this is now. Just as some in our government had a feeling that we may conceivably be attacked by Islamic radicals prior to Sept. 11, we were reluctant to act until after the death of 3,000 innocent Americans.
Clubb asks if the "death of close to 52,000 more American young men was worth avenging the deaths of 2,403 killed at Pearl Harbor?" My uncle Ray, who I never had the chance to know, was among those 52,000, having died in a Japanese concentration camp. I will forever honor both his individual sacrifice and those of his fellow soldiers, without which Clubb would not have both the right and the freedom to espouse his errant views of history. Fortunately, those same rights apply to all who choose to challenge those views and opinions. I, for one, am thankful for that.
Gary Hoffman, Florence
Beaverhead-Deerlodge PartnershipPlan is great for Montana
I read with interest the recent oped courtesy of the L.A. Times from an author who lives in Arizona (Missoulian, Jan. 28) criticizing in part the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership.As a counter opinion to Erica Rosenberg, I want to express my support for the work the Beaverhead-Deerlodge partners are doing. They have been willing to set aside years of opposition that has created gridlock on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and work together on a plan that will benefit all Montanans. This is a real opportunity to make change after a long time of arguing. People would be working in the woods, mills would be open and supporting rural communities, forests being returned to health and protecting some special areas to pass our outdoor traditions to our children.
I'd like to recognize Sun Mountain Lumber, the Montana Wilderness Association, RY Timber, Pyramid Mountain Lumber, Montana Trout Unlimited, Roseburg Forest Products, Smurfit Stone Container and National Wildlife Federation for leading on issues on our national forests and for leading in Montana.
Their plan is based on common sense, compromise and room for everyone to enjoy this landscape. And even better, its made-in-Montana and drawing more and more praise every year. Keep up the good work.
Kallie Dale, Missoula
Economic stimulus planConsider rebates every month
The current tax rebate being discussed in Congress reminds me of professor Charles Murray's book, "In Our Hands," wherein his "plan" would deposit $800 in every adult citizen's bank account every month and that would replace all other social transfer programs, including Social Security. The $800 would be reduced somewhat by medical insurance. His rough math tells us the resulting economic stimulus would enable the government to break even in 10 years. He says his plan would greatly reduce government bureaucracy and would love a beneficial impact on many people's lives.Murray is a Libertarian and is associated with the American Enterprise Institute.
Perhaps, long term, Murray's plan would lessen the possibility of domestic terrorism as capitalism evolves in the future.
Dirk Chilcote, Missoula
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