This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I've been reading with interest the re-instigation of the old failed Sagebrush Rebellion, particularly by our esteemed Utah Legislators.
I enjoyed much more the front page article on Cecil Garland, a true hero of the American West. Though I didn't know Cecil, I do now through my friend Steve Erickson. Like brothers in arms, they have fought the good battles to protect Western Utah and Nevada against insanities like the MX and now the Snake Valley/Las Vegas water grab.
They have resorted to legal approaches to stem the tide, not acting as armed terrorists like Bundy in Bunkerville (how appropriate) or the grave desecrators in Recapture Canyon. Others act through civil disobedience, and then pay the price, like Terry Tempest Williams and Judith Mohning being pepper sprayed and jailed protesting the downwind consequences of the Nevada Test Site; like Tim DeChristopher, who served 21 months for his beliefs.
This country is composed of the rule of law, and although I certainly don't believe in the intent or consequences of some of them, I, like most Americans, know the consequences of illegalities. While justice is certainly not guaranteed — just ask the Native Americans ("Here sign this treaty-know you can't read it, doesn't matter, we'll break it as soon as we leave") — to allow these welfare ranchers such a wide berth defames honest people like Cecil and makes it hard to answer certain questions to my 15-year-old son.
Thank you for your continuing in-depth coverage of these issues. Let's not despoil our public lands so that my son, his kids, and all future generations respect Mother Earth, civility and the laws of the land.
Dave Naslund
Salt Lake City