14 Comments
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Marjorie Nelson's avatar

I contacted both Ernst and Grassley and received identical form letters from them stating the need to use our resources instead of other countries blah blah blah. Do you know any MAGGOTS who might care about the Boundary Waters enough to resist? Thank you for caring and writing this essay, Larry.

Larry Stone's avatar

thanks for your effort to reach our senators - despite their lack of understanding - or maybe their complete deference to MAGA.

Bruce Morrison's avatar

Its like Ground Hogs Day, over and over...I remember the first go-round and all the letter writing and phone calls during tRUMP's first term...back into the fray with the same reactions from our "representatives"...and still the same grift and money exchanging hands, with no end in sight. We just cannot stop expressing the truth and demanding what is right for the world we're about to pass on to the next generations...

Larry Stone's avatar

You're so right, Bruce! We must speak up for truth and right!

Marcella Frevert's avatar

I hope every paper in Iowa publishes your piece, Larry!! Otherwise, we’ll hear the excuse that voters “didn’t know”!!!

Larry Stone's avatar

And people who are younger and more savvy than I am should share on social media!

Neural Foundry's avatar

Excellent piece on the conflict betwen resource extraction and wilderness protection. The detail about Antofagasta getting fined for water mismanagement in Chile while pitching "latest technology" for Minnesota is particularly instructive. I saw similar dynamics play out with Pebble Mine proposals in Alaska, where the economic carrots kept shifting while the ecological risks stayed constant.

Larry Stone's avatar

Oh, but we need economic development! What POSSIBLY could go wrong?!

Jim Colbert's avatar

Thank you Larry. The BWCA is a treasure. I have spent a great deal of time there with family, friends, and students. Damaging it by mining in its watershed is unconscionable - which aptly describes what those promoting this atrocity are lacking…😖

Larry Stone's avatar

The politics are unconscionable, too!

Terri Mozzone's avatar

We all need to share this article and make those calls!

Dan Cohen's avatar

This is urgent! The Senate may vote as early as next week on lifting the mining ban, putting the Boundary Waters Canoe Country Wilderness (and other federal public lands) in jeopardy.

As Larry states, “the idea that this canoe country wilderness could be threatened by a Chilean company’s mining operations seems preposterous, unfathomable!” People need to contact their U.S. Senators ASAP!

Larry Stone's avatar

Don't delay! Our senators need to hear from a LOT of Iowans - not just Trump apologists!