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Show THE ZEPHYROCTOBER 89 PAGE 30 feedback the readers respond Dear Editor: response to E.G. Van Voorthulzen's letter In your September Issue: I agree with you E. G. when you said that as parents of the future generations we should leave the environment at least as productive, healthy and beautiful as we found It In If Im not However your example of the Buffalo baffled me somewhat flat and on a were naturally occurring plains species grazing mistaken, the buffalo ten to to of millennia over that with had depths developed topsoils rolflng terrain fifteen feet and a protective vegetation layer that was so deep that the blades of the first farmers plows could not penetrate IL The natural environment of the buffalo is a far cry from the highly susceptible slopes of high mountainous regions and deserts which erode easily and have fragile topsoils ranging In depth from just s few Inches to less than a foot and vegetation foyers that are just beginning to establish a foothold on the bare rock or desert sand. The natural species of the high country are the deer and the elk, not the buffalo and certainly not the cow. As for gnats and flies, no doubt there were many that plagued the buffalo herds as well. But generally the Indians kept away from them during the heat of summer and bug season. They harvested their game carefully during the early spring and fall when meat can be dried without being contaminated by flies or rotting too quickly In the summer heat Which brings me to my point, E.G., which you may also agree with: the indigenous Indian population knew how to tap the world lightly. They didnt harvest more than what they could eat and were thankful for what they received. In truth, they lived in harmony with their environment When they took something from the earth, they returned something and the soil remained rich and productive. But we as a culture dont seem to share this same heightened awareness of foe circle of life. Today, the rich topsoils of foe great plans are deteriorating quickly because of our lack of concern for our relationship with foe earth. In foe past twenty five years the wisdom and knowledge of foe first farmers has either been forgotten or ignored. For expediency, forge farm corporations have used chemical fertilizers, manufactured from precious fossil fuel sources to feed foe fond, and steadily the rich humus base of theNbread basket of America Is being lost to the wind and erosion. These same fertilizers contribute to global warming by emitting carbon dioxide into foe atmosphere. So much for foe fond of foe buffalo. The point that I am trying to drive home here, E.G., is that quick profits without concern for foe long term consequences, destroys our real wealth which is foe We are not foe only species that exists on this abundance of the earth miraculous blue planet. But, if we destroy our ecological niche, or foe symbiotic balance of things, we may be foe last Tapping the world lightly means controlling our numbers so that we dont end In a situation like China or India or foe Middle East The population of Cairo, up as an example, Is currently eighteen million and increases by one million every ten months. We who have chosen to Kve In this four comers area surely must comprehend the importance of open space and personal freedom. It Is foe Quality of life, not the quantity which makes living meaningful. If it were quantity, we would all be living In LA. And hopefully, that wont be for awhile. by foe year 2030: that But food with saturated beef afraid that Im time over and meat, preferences change beef It foe cholesterol and steroids, is being seen for what really is. Despite Industry's claim that beef is real food, science and foe medical profession have launched an all out campaign to educate foe public of foe detrimental effects of a diet too rich In meat products. Diets too rich in meat are hard on foe heart (circulatory system), the intestines, kidneys and liver. That bolls down to heart attacks, strokes, digestive and eliminative problems. I saw a bumper sticker which So much for read: Eat Real Food, Smoke Real Cigarettes, and Die Early. propaganda. So, who knows, E.G., about food preferences In foe year 2030. But, for now, foe present, tapping foe world lightly means not overgrazing, not chaining down forests and not over populating foe earth. That doesnt mean that animals cannot be wisely grazed or that trees cannot be selectively harvested. That simply means that we must be aware of what we are doing so that we can all benefit In foe abundance and beauty of foe planet we are temporarily caretaking for our children and their children. There is an Indian saying that goes: "Go Into foe world and rejoice, partake of the Mother's bounty. But leave her as beautiful as you found her. This Is foe way of wisdom. The concept of multiple use if rightly practiced, must Include this respect for foe earth, its species and our fellow man. As for beef and foe demand for beef increasing by 53 Is based upon current consumption statistics of food patterns. Bill Howard Dear Jim: the August Zephyr, we heard once again the primordial syllable, the same wail when the dripping infant dangled head-fir- st from the WAAAA! obstetricians fist. Its appropriate that this syllable begins the acronymic abbreviation of the Western Association of Land Users (WALU) and echoes the WAAAA! bleat of a hungry baby The WALUsers are crying for another midnight feeding from the community chest The WALUsers are crying because, like any chubby infant, they resent the Inevitability of being weaned. The Federal Mommy Is threatening to upgrade the 1872 mining law to conform with 20th century economic reality. WAAAAI How many dozen gallons of 1872 milk could a baby suckle for the price of a contemWAAAA! Quick, pass the burp rag! porary half-piI realize its difficult for a suckling babe to comprehend that the U.S. economic situation has been soured somewhat by over a century of Inflation. Unfortunately, theres nothing I can do to alter that fact but offer condolences and a fresh diaper. The only thing that hasnt gone up exponentially in value Is the contents of the gkj diaper. WAAAAA! WAAAA! In that same 117-ye- ar More bad news from baby span Mommy has been unfaithful to her "only child and delivered siblings, some 240-omillion. Baby Is jealous. Not only is baby afraid of losing his free meal, but all those upstart siblings are demanding an equal say in the disposition of family toys like public lands that baby has always considered his exclusive plaything. Some of his siblings In the overflowing nursery are even complaining baby keeps trashing the playpen. WAAAA! Poor baby! In as babys first nt? dd Sincerely, Jose Knighton MR. THIS IS OUR 8th ANNIVERSARY TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION JS Skateboard Shop and 12 Pipe WE ARE OFFERING 1 5 OFF ALL STORM WINDOWS AND NEW SCREENS DURING OCTOBER 2y3 S. 4fh E. 259-227- 9 Open Almost Daily Around evening time or if Tm here. 'Minora, must have parent sign FOR ALL YOUR GLASS NEEDS .jxeaisejform at the snop. K4 wmws |