Letter: Tribune highlights abhorrence of Trump's monument decision; keep it up

Finally, The Tribune is stepping up to lend aid to the struggle (I avoid using the term “fight”) to maintain the two national monuments under assault by the Trump administration. At last the Tribune is making its voice heard. Too bad more of that support was not expressed prior to the heavily slanted and San Juan County-controlled visit by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, when it might have made a difference.

The Dec. 7 editorial, “Ugly Utah,” highlights reasons why the Trump decision is so abhorrent: that the white guys who rule in San Juan County have been under the illusion that the lands in question are inherently theirs to dominate, that the heritage of Native Americans takes second place, with the concerns of U.S. citizens everywhere to preserve open lands while we still have them coming in last. The Tribune observation on the behavior of the self-perceived winners was spot on. No one likes a poor loser, but smug winners are much harder to take.

It can only be hoped that The Tribune editorial board will now continue to weigh in to assist in protesting the bullying actions by our Utah politicians. That includes the party-driven decisions by everyone from Hatch down to local commissions. They have all forgotten, or choose to ignore, that there are other opinions based on solid ideas and facts. It may be too late to create a state which respects genuine dialog but one can always hope.

Mary Johnson, Millcreek

from The Salt Lake Tribune http://ift.tt/2DZsTpq