Letters and Comments for May 20, 2009

Byron

Taking care of what they love

To the Editor:

I’m responding to Peter Barry’s letter, “Taking Issue with Cattle,” column a month late because I’ve been in Boise with a family member who had a heart valve replaced with a bovine valve. My long days there were spent looking at the Boise River and land overrun by concrete, steel, asphalt and pollution from humans. There wasn’t a cow around for miles.

Most concentrated populuations were strategically placed near waterways and springs. Who pollutes the waters?

It’s fascinating Mr. Barry and other so-called conservationists deny Oregon’s ranchers and farmers aren’t first and foremost environmentalists. They have survived generations by taking care of what they love most — their animals and land. They feed families around the world.

I listen to people complain about farmers and ranchers and the subsidies they receive, including those who graze public lands. Do you know that one of every four people in Union County is a public employee (me included)? Public agencies and employees are supported by tax dollars, receive grants, subsidies and other special funding for projects, and they are receiving federal stimulus dollars. I don’t deny that this needs to happen, but why beat up on the hand that feeds you, even if you don’t eat meat?

Mr. Barry’s column talked about less than 2 percent of the ranchers grazing more than 50 percent of the public land. These ranchers pay taxes, too. What if each person were allowed to only use a percent of public land that was equal to the amount of taxes we pay?

In the future, every time I follow behind a cow, I will thank my Higher Power that I had the privilege to smell that “greenhouse gas.” I will also praise those that help keep fire danger down on all lands by grazing.

Carol Byron

La Grande