Opinion

It approaches a year since Sen. John McCain departed these earthly precincts. He is rightly missed for his principled leadership, for his maverick ways and for his — now increasingly rare — ability to reach out and collaborate effectively with senators across the partisan divide. I miss all those qualities, but I miss John McCain, too, for his quick and self-effacing sense of humor.

The Endangered Species Act, signed into law by President Nixon in 1973, is arguably one of the least controversial laws on the books.

A series of polls in recent years has shown incredible bipartisan support of at least 85% of Americans in favor of it.

Yet there has been growing attempts by Republicans to gut the act, and President Trump’s administration last week made a reckless attack on it.

More than 1,200 species that are endangered and near extinction are protected, as are nearly 400 species listed as threatened.

Editor:

There have been several recent articles about the controversial trail and access issues in the Crazy Mountains. I tip my hat to those trying to sit down together to resolve them.  

However, I’m reminded of what a friend who is a Native American told me about how resource management issues like this are addressed on tribal land. He said that during these discussions, one chair is left vacant to represent the wildlife that doesn’t have a voice in these decisions.