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Show United States Government. As we all know, in the 19th century Mormons were chased and harassed across the width and breadth of the continent and often with the assistance and active participation of the government. I suppose it’s no wonder then, that most rural Utahns bear some lingering resentment. But the idea that our federal bureaucrats are plotting a sinister and, some say, violent takeover of the country gives me a belly laugh. I mean...I worked for these guys. They couldn’t organize a wildflower exhibit without forming a committee. And they'd sure have to call somebody a bit further up the Equivocation Ladder for a final decision. Do any of you Conspiracy Mongers really think our government people are that clever and diabolical? Down in San Juan County, where many of its proudly isolated citizens look east to the San Juan Mountains on the horizon in Colorado and say, "Out there in America..," black UN helicopters are still spotted from time to time. It was explained to me once by a very neurotic friend that the numbers on the back . of UDOT highway signs are actually directional codes for the Invaders, when they finally come. All these theories are entertaining, I’ll agree. But the reason for many of these ever-expanding rules & regs.is too transparent to be sinister. To me it’s a simple case of job security. It. gives all those people something to do. A few years ago, I interviewed a BLM manager about a proposed new permit fee for photographing public lands. It was a dopey and unenforceable rule and I had a hard time taking her earnest defense of it seriously. Finally I said, "OK...Imagine I’m on Main Street and I take a photo. The cliffs in the background are BLM, but the foreground is private-—-would I have to pay HALF of the permit fee?" I expected a chuckle, but she was intrigued. "Very good question,” she said sincerely. "I'll have to call Washington to get an opinion...very good question.” Now that scared me. If our country is ever "overthrown," it will only be because we all threw up our hands in exasperation. INTOLERANCE UPDATE... 2 There were so many excellent letters to Feedback this time that I expanded that section to four pages. Many were in response to the last issue’s "Intolerance" theme. I also received, but did not print (at his request) another diatribe from the Earth Raper, who entertained us all a few issues ago. He reminded me that Utah was an intolerant, racist, homophobic state when I moved here; therefore I had no right to complain. He suggested that I move back to Kentu This morning’s Salt Lake Tribune tells a grim story of intolerance. Wilderness canvassing the 19 year the ground. Last week a volunteer for the Southern Utah Alliance was allegedly kicked and beaten while homes in Salt Lake City. A man in his 20s assaulted old woman, yelling "dyke" and "queer" as she fell to Another man stood watch during the attack. SUWA and a group of Sugar House residents have offered a $2000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the attackers. Police are investigating - beating as a potential hate THE ZEPHYR Volume 12 Number2 June/July 2000 4... THE NUTSHELL With Steve Russell 6 Jim Stiles Russell adds his voice to the chorus with opinions on the Atlas pile, law enforcement consolidation, the hospital. 6....POINTBLANK: ‘~dishonest, inaccurate, and downright shameful.” By Gordon Swenson, Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club and...NEW WEST BLUES: By Jim Stiles 9... THE NUTSHELL: Photographic Evidence Stay to the RIGHT of the yellow line? Here comes Burger King... 10... CANYON COUNTRY WATCHDOG By Liz Thomas & Herb McHarg of S.U.W.A. Out-of-control ORVs, Monument plan update. More 1S..... SPECIAL SECTION— Does ANYBODY like the Feds? 16...4 MONUMENTAL IDEA? By Susan Tixier _ Almost four years after Clinton's — Grand Staircase/Escalante N.M. an update on 18..... THE PRICE IS NOT RIGHT By Alexandra L. Woodruff Has the government's Fee Demonstration Program priced most Americans out of their own public lands? 20.....LOGGING, DOLLARS, & SENSE By John Talberth & Karyn Moskowitz The economic case against National Forest logging. 23.....Dan O'Connor's TWISTED TABLOID ‘Incredible Mountain Poodles of Moab!” 24... SEASONS OF DISCONTENT By Cort Felts In the National Park Service, not all employees are created equal. 26...AN INTERVIEW WITH JERRY BANTA The new NPS superintendent speaks candidly about the national parks in SE Utah. crime. COMING SOON: WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? A couple of issues ago, I asked readers what a sign on the side of a railroad car meant—I received more than 40 responses. Now I need your help again. I want you to answer the question: "What does it all mean?" If I get a decent response, I'll print the best ten to twenty in the December/January issue, the "What Does It All Mean?" issue. Your essays must be no shorter than 100 words and no more than 500 words. Exceptions to the word limitations WILL be considered. Emails that are NOT attachments are preferred and may even sway the opinion of the judge...me. Winning entries should include a photo and your GOOD GRIEF One day before this issue went to press, I accidentally deleted more than 1000 emails from my hard drive. Gone. Just like that. I was so proud of myself for finally learning how to ‘block delete.’ I meant to delete 12 messages and deleted 1017 instead. If your email name begins with a letter that precedes ‘p’ and you’ve sent me an email in the last two. years, I dont have it anymore (except for a notable few Hall of Fame Emails). Excuse me while I go slash my wrists. You should have received or you should soon receive a renewal notice. In order to avoid an interruption in your subscription ‘we must receive your renewal before ‘July 15, 2000 | We cannot include back i issues with a bulk mailing. 30.....STREAMOFCONCIOUSNESS By Anne Wilson Anne's "Wil" versus Peter's “Law.” 36.....EEDBA CK: An extraordinary selection of letters and comments on a variety of issucs: From racism to Funafuti, from intolerance to light whining... mailing address. Winners receive a two year subscription and the knowledge that they know what it all means. NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS If your mailing label indicates a: 06/00 or 07/00 your subscription is ABOUT TO EXPIRE! 30... AROUND THE BEND By Ken Sleight What is nuclear waste doing to the health of San Juan County? SUBSCRIBE TO THE ZEPHYR SIX ISSUES (ONE YEAR): $15.. TWELVE ISSUES (TWO EIGHTEEN ISSUES (THREE YEARS): $40 YEARS): $28 ' NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE 6 9-DIGIT ZIP PLEASE READ THIS! The Post Office will NOT forward 3rd Class mail. If you do not send us a change of address, we cannot be responsible for issues you did not receive. Subscriptions must begin with the next issue. Back issues are available at ridiculous prices. Call for a price list. Those readers who choose to take advantage of the multi-year discounts do so at their own risk. There is no guarantee that the world will be here in three. years, let alone this publication. CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS ONLY TO: P.O. BOX 327, MOAB, UT 84532 |
