Let’s talk about selfish minds, displacing other users and the mentality of individuals like John Kappelman (Opinion, Herald, July 27) and David Petersen (Letters, Herald, July 31.) Everyone wants his cake and to eat it, too, but don’t tread in his backyard.
While I doubt either eat beef, they likely wear some sort of leather footwear and probably enjoy wool sweaters, socks or blankets in winter. There are plenty of wilderness and forest areas where they could enjoy the “wilderness experience” without being inconvenienced. They might just have to walk a little farther. Wonder what makes them think they will enjoy a wilderness experience if there are hoards of people on the trails and backcountry? Why is that less impact to the environment, or an improvement to the “experience,” than cattle or sheep?
But who cares, right, as long as more people in the area improve the economy? Do they not realize that more and more private grazing lands and ranches are being swallowed up by subdivisions and housing developments? That once grazing and farming grounds are gone, they’re gone; there is no getting them back? That public grazing lands could become more necessary? And that a small number of herders and ranchers feed a huge population?
When there are no grazing and farming lands left, where do they think their meals will come from?
May I suggest if you’re offended by cow manure and sheep stink, stay in town, and go get your recreation at the gym!
Linda Moore
Ignacio
