[HairOfTheDog]

I might add that as a taxpayer expense, the DNR land pays for itself to a large degree. I am sure it could be managed to be almost profitable.

The timber is sold private loggers who buy the trees and log it. They turn a profit for themselves and income to the gubmit. And they are not in harmful competition with the private foresters, who are huge conglomerates. The public forest timber sales are accessible to small time operators and loggers. So as a use of public funds, it does provide a better return on the dollar than some other uses I would attack first.

[carton253]

Smeagol went sneaking into the local Radio Shack to buy some rechargable batteries. While there, I noticed pretty, shiny DVD players.

Oh, how Smeagol wants one. But, alas... can't afford one cause Smeagol has college to pay for. Then, I noticed this one machine. All silver... glimmering and glittering in the light. It was $200 marked down to $99.97. Smeagol wants... Smeagol wants...

Smeagol buys. Then has to buy a converter and a cable because Smeagol's tv has built in VCR.

On the way home, Smeagol rents the LOTR DVD and sees all the making and stuff...

Happy Smeagol!

[Overtaxed]

The public forest timber sales are accessible to small time operators and loggers. So as a use of public funds, it does provide a better return on the dollar than some other uses I would attack first.

Oh yes! < /sarcasm > Due to the US Forest Sevice's policies, deadwood is not removed from the forests and roads into the forest are limited. The result? All that deadwood is fueling those fires out West burning the forests that environmentalists "care" so much about. And firefighters are hampered by lack of roads.

I prefer the land to be managed by private interests. The federal government couldn't manage a freaking cat house, let alone a forest.

[Sam Cree]

"I am sure it could be managed to be almost profitable. "

Though the idea of the federal government going into competition with the private sector is a little scary. That would amount to a business entity which also has the power to make law. Which is what you get with socialism anyway.