Thanks for the reasoned argument, Don. I certainly know what you are
talking about, although every fiber in my body cries out against having to
do just about everything we do so that no one could possibly misconstrue it
(my paraphrase of your statements). I'd like just to have something really
IMPORTANT accomplished for other than political reasons one of these days.

On another note, you wrote:

"A similar problem occurs with cows. Cows can be useful in management in
some cases, but it is difficult for those of us involved in conservation to
agree to such use. The problem is that the ranching community jumps on any
such beneficial use of grazing as 'evidence' that widespread grazing is
'necessary for the health of the land.'"

But I thought cows were useful for steaks and milk, and that's the only
reason we have to put up with them! I have a funny feeling that there's
not really any "beneficial" reason for cows to be on the landscape other
than to feed human beans. I love to watch little calves gamboling, but I'd
just as soon watch baby elks, pronghorns, and the like. I do drink milk
and eat meat, so I'm part of the problem, not part of the solution.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416