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Show who baked special cakes for us, and, if we were not given the key to the city, we have WHERE’S THE DIVERSITY IN THE ZEPHYR? always been treated with tolerance, acceptance, and, even kindness. Editor, When I moved into Escalante almost 6 months ago, everyone knew that I had helped run SUWA and that I am now the Executive Director for the Great Old Broads for Wilderness. Everyone knows that the Broads do not like motors on public lands, do not like roads on public lands, and do not like cows on public lands where there ought not be motors, roads or cows. I just read a copy of "The Canyon-Country Zephyr," the first one I have seen (April/May 2000). Your lead piece, "Take It Or Leave It" makes the point of how the Executive Committee of the Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club and the people of Escalante hate diversity. Well, take a look in the mirror: How much diversity do you see in The Zephyr? None. It is a bunch of monologues from ideologues. Such a format may serve your ideological purposes, but as journalism it is just plain boring. What you need is some diversity in The hyr. ein you stir up some controversy and therefore more interest in your publication No-one should ever doubt that we Broads are “for Wilderness”, including protection of potential wilderness—roadless public lands. We held a gathering of about 30 women and men here last September, without incident. Many, MANY, people in Escalante have told me that they do “not like” what I stand for or what I work for. More than a few have challenged me about my positions and some business folks wouldn't smile at me if I “dropped trau” right in front of them. But I have been tolerated and people have been kind. My house and car (up ‘til the publication of this letter) have never been locked. The only “incident” I have to report is that once on my daily run (this time down Hole in the Rock Road), a van full of (possibly local) teenagers swerved as if to hit this fat ol’ lady running down the dirt. road. I figure the rocks and fingers I threw at them about evened that childish score, by God! I don't want to overdo it, Jim, but being tolerant and accepting works both ways. You moved me to understand that it is my moral-effort not only to BE by giving contrarian points of view some space? How about a section on "Alternative Viewpoints" to break up the monologues with some dialogues? How about asking people from Escalante to write their viewpoints? How about allowing the "ExCom" space for their reasons for their actions? How about allowing Jim Hansen space for his opinions? How about the views of senior citizens, the disabled, and the campers on being excluded from Wilderness by lack of roads? Think of the outrage from environmental extremists! But think of the interest it would generate!! I can tolerate a lot of nonsense on both sides of questions, but I refuse to be bored by tolerant, but to understand and appreciate when I am tolerated by people whose lives are challenged by what I profess. I understand from the April/May issue that I should accept and be kind either. to people who have different religions and are politically on the other end of the spectrum. (Last night's Democratic caucus meeting at my house was the loneliest party I've ever given!) But I must say that I have experienced mostly acceptance and a good deal of kindness by the people of Escalante. Escalate is a beautiful, quite, place. It takes time to get around to being a part of such a place as a small Western town. In a hurry-up world, I've got that kind of time--here. I encourage visitors and newcomers to Escalante. Call me, write me. Jack Worlton Editor's note” Living as we are in America’s most conservative state, the opinions expressed in this publication ARE “alternative viewpoints." But to set the record straight, we have offered the Sierra Club space for almost a year; they finally respond in this issue. As does the Escalante Chamber of Commerce. But tell me Mr. Worlton, have you expressed these same concerns about balanced reporting to Rush Limbaugh, the omnipresent radio voice of rural Utah? JS Thanks, Susan Tixier P.O. Box 633 Escalante, Utah (435) 826-4430 ONCE AGAIN, KATIE LEE SETS THINGS STRAIGHT... Dear Jim: Well, I’ll be dinged! There I am, in your last issue, sittin’ on FROM AROUND THE BEND’S lap (Jane said, "Be my guest, sweetie!"), and my old friend, Glen Canyon explorer and soul mate, Sleight, doesn’t even mention MY book about that lost paradise. PASTOR DON ON INTOLERANCE Dear Jim, As always I enjoyed your paper. doesn’t tell us when we're going to get to read his own. I write to say I appreciate your comments And Senator Frank Moss’s bill in Congress COLORADO RIVER STORAGE PROJECT ACT AMENDMENT (S-333) DID pass. The amendment struck out the provision that "as on intolerance. I was saddened to hear of the incident in Moab. I love Moab and I truly hope this was an aberration. You are right to speak out about it. We should not wait until such part of the Glen Canyon Unit the Secretary of the Interior shall take adequate protective measures to preclude impairment of the Rainbow Bridge National Monument" and the provision “It is the intent of Congress that no dam or reservoir constructed under the authorization of the Act shall be within any National park or Monument." Moss claimed that "these provisions were written into the bill during what amounted to hysteria on the part of extremist outdoor groups who saw in every man made pool in a national monument the impending destruction of the entire National Park system." Read my book, Ken dear—page 228. aberrations are the norm to speak out. People will always disagree on things like politics, religion, entertainment, sex, morals, etc. etc. And there will always be those of us who will try to be persuasive for our own particular view. Most of us will choose to distance ourselves from that which we abhor (right or wrong). Your prejudiced friend needs you to be there to ask those questions you mentioned in the article. It is a paradox is it not? That we can not tolerate everything. that which we can not tolerate is intolerance. Barry Scholl, another neat friend, left out a truly droll place name And first on the list of WHAT'S IN A NAME? in his UTAH: You don’t for a minute think there was a FORT anywhere near FARTKNOCKER CANYON, do you? Truth is: A cowboy got jettisoned from his horse while riding the rim one day. Upon speedy, brutal contact with the Cedar Mesa sandstone, It's a hell cf a world isn't it? I'm for the island thing. Escaping to Funafuti. Let's both go. I can be the Christian bigot and you can be the enlightened pagan. As always your dear friend... let fly a resounding retort from the part of his anatomy that had been polishing the saddle. I doubt that he let fly a whole Fort. What's ina name? Plenty if the dull dolts would leave them alone! Cheer up, Stiles. Your rag’s the only one that make the bad news laughable--the SLC Utah Sierrrrrrha-ha-ha Club being the biggest laugh of all. Pastor Don Falke Pineland, Texas P.S. Worse, he Unfortunatetly, as you know, Utopia means "No Place." Love, Katie Lee Jerome, Az Don Falke is the former minister of the First Baptist Church of Moab, a true philosopher, and my favorite Christian. continued on next page... Grand (art? Junction's ses Cc AA 559 Main Street 970.241.9484 (MM Ay” ee a eae 62747 Spring Creek Rd. Montrose, CO 81401 2486 Patterson Rd. WY, 970.241.9553 970.249.5536 N. 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