[Fhios]

The first steps of the Marxist takeover of America began with the Spotted Owl scare. They were able to convince the masses that the Spotted Owl was being driven into extinction by the evil lumber industry from cutting too much old growth timber. They had some fake studies and surveys showing a decrease of owls and claimed using phony models they would be extinct in a decade or two which required massive gummit regulations and the ending of capitalism…er…logging.

Despite this about the spotted owls, cutting old growth forests down is bad, particularly when over done. I'm pretty sure that if it wasn't regulated, US would have no old growth forests at all. So it's a mixed blessing. We don't like it, but know if left to their own conscience the environment would be wiped out in pursuit of the almighty dollar.

[newfreep]

WOW!

That’s quite a condemnation of America...are you sure you’re on the right website?

[rodguy911]

Uhhh... sorry but I take brays take on the spotted owl and old growth forests as well. He actually is in the industry.

[bray]

Sure, capitalism is evil. What is so great about old growth? There are old growth reserves where trees are rotting from the inside out which is some of the least healthy forests anywhere.

Your assumption of business is evil sounds pretty much leftist when in reality who has the most to gain by keeping the forests healthy, business or gummit?

[grey_whiskers]

My God, but you're pig-fornicatingly stupid.

The large timber companies discovered decades ago that they can make more money, by selectively maintaining the forests, than by clear cutting.

The maintenance is done by

a) culling dead trees to prevent accumulation of tinder (compare the wildfires in California or Yellowstone where govt. policy forbids this, because "teh environment, don't ever touch it"

b) culling some of the older trees and planting younger ones so that the forest has a mix of ages, making it more resilient

c) cutting *paths* through the forest and then renting out permits for mountain biking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling on the land.

Have you been kitten-huffing CNN broadcasts again?

[ROCKLOBSTER]

cutting old growth forests down is bad, particularly when over done.

Yes, burning them down is much better, not to mention all the carbon smoke pollution.

I'm pretty sure that if it wasn't regulated, US would have no old growth forests at all

Kinda like it will be after the fires. Private owners are much better stewards of the land than the government. California proves it over and over again.

[Road Warrior ‘04]

The first steps of the Marxist takeover of America began with the Spotted Owl scare.

Not to mention that beetle infested, dead trees aren't allowed to be cut down. Major cause of the forest fires out west this year, and probably before. IMHO