[Clinging Bitterly]

The legitimate purpose for the federal government holding so much of the West ceased to exist a hundred years ago.

I would judge that a one hundred year long (plus) family owned ranching concern has a legitimate claim to the right of use at the very least.

But going farther, it is long past time for the states to reclaim those lands and by force if necessary, and asemble state land commissions (preferrably elected by counties) to dispense with them according to their own laws and constitutions.

[Mr Rogers]

You do realize those states were created out of federal land, granted to the US after the war with Mexico?