Tweets,

I wrote a number of people (my own Congresswoman Linda Smith, Slick Slade
Gorton, the Pres) about the upcoming attacks on the Endangered Species
Act. Since Mr Tate represents part of Thurston County, I also cc'd an
email message to him.

Since Mr Tate is the only one of 'our' elected officials who has bothered
to respond to one of my email letters, I thought I would share his form
letter (delivered by the US Postal Service) with you.

The "balance" that his letter suggests will continue the rape of OUR public
resources. If you haven't yet seen your life-list Spotted Owl or Marbled
Murrelet, better get out in the field before the Congress and the
Executive Office gives the forests *completely* to the timber beasts
(Great Shades of "Multiple Use"!).

Read it and weep.

Jon. Anderson
Olympia, WA
anderjda at dfw.wa.gov


---------- Forwarded message ----------

"Dear Jon,

"Thank you for contacting me regarding the reauthorization of
the Endangered Species Act (ESA). As your new Congressman from the
Ninth District, I appreciate knowing your views on this issue.

"As you may know, the original ESA was enacted many years ago
with the purpose of protecting animals with declining populations.
While the intent of this law may have been good, it has had
unintended and unwanted consequences. ESA has dramatically cut the
once thriving job producer of the Northwest -- timber harvesting.
It has had a real impact on the lives of the people and families
whose income is dependent on logging. In addition, ESA has caused
increased utility rates to consumers because of the unchecked costs
of saving the salmon runs.

"There is little doubt that the ESA has been administered
unreasonably in other cases. For example, one Montana man was
recently fined $4000 by the Environmental Protection Agency for
shooting a bear which was attacking him and his family.

"The ESA, along with other federal laws, needs to be amended
to address the economic impact of its' associated regulation. The
issues of threatened private property rights need to be taken into
account. In addition, ESA has had few successes. Of the thousands
of species which have been listed as endangered, very few have
successfully recovered. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been
spent, many jobs have been lost, and the ESA is still far from
reaching its goals.

"I do not support gutting the law to permit devastation of
animal life, but the issue of ESA's impact on Americans and their
communities must be addressed more fully. Please be assured that
I will work to ensure there is balance between families, jobs and
the environment. It is important that we work for that proper
balance, particularly in view of the economic devastation to many
families in the Northwest.

"Thank you again for contacting me. Please be assured I will
keep your views in mind as legislation regarding this matter is
brought before me. I look forward to hearing from you again in the
future."

Sincerely,

(signed)

Randy Tate
Member of Congress