Debates, not totally O.T.

"We can't let trees mature because they just catch on fire".

Does the age of the trees in a forest have anything to do with forest fires? I guess that's what happened to all the old growth forests, they must have burned.

"We need to establish clean air regulations for off road equipment"

Does anyone have data relating to the ratio of off road gallons used to on road gallons used? My guess might be way off but I don't think it would be much more than 1%.

I'm looking forward to hearing even more wonderful ideas from this clod.

I'm still gonna have a hard time casting a vote for the clod though. Either of the clods for that matter. Don't know where they find these guys.

The problem with letting loggers come in and "thin out" out national forests is that they won't. The problem is scrub trees and brush and bushes, not the large 60-100 year old trees loggers want. Taking the tall trees causes another problem. When the shade is removed, the undergrowth dries out and becomes a tinderbox.

Don't know if anyone else had let loggers into thier woods but Dad just had his logged last year. The only time they cut scrub trees like boxelders and ash were when they were in the way of the real trees. They also left all the limbs from the trees they took laying around.

I agree that our national forests need to be maintained but absolutely disagree that loggers are the ones to do it. They're able, not willing. If requirements were made that they had to cut the scrub trees and they were told to clean up after themselves, they'd say, "No thanks."

The EPA's budget has been gutted for Mr. Bush's other projects so regulating "Off road" emissions is pry on the back burner at this point. Funny how us conservatives are all for small federal government but this administration has enlarged it by leaps and bounds. Someday, everyone on here will realize that this administration really isn't conservative. It touts ultraconservative views but doesn't uphold them...

Regards,

Dug

Read the post before you make your stupid comments.

Forests not managed at all are a danger. I wouldn't expect a person in a limited debate format to spend 30 minutes explaining one simple issue - what are you expecting? Unmanged forests are a danger, and that is the heart of the problem - seems clear enough.

Offroad vehicles are ag, industrial, tug boat, irrigation, lawn mowing, vineyard, track transportation - more - I believe it adds up to more than 1%.

Perhaps you need to set back a bit & consider what your goal is here, or what you are trying to understand.

--->Paul

I was asking for data concerning the ratio of On/Off road fuel. Like I said, I might be way off but you don't seem to have any more definative of an input. The way I heard our glorious prez was that they will target constuction equipment not tug boats and the such.

You should be ashamed, putting your neighbors ahead of the Spotted Owl! Have you no feelings? Where is your sense of moral decency? Who speaks for the OWL??? You Capitalists have your priorities all wrong!

:-)

Dug

:>)

Dug

Brian
"48 8N 60986

In today's complex world, no one can possibly know, or be prepared for, every question that someone will throw at the candidates, to try and trip them up.

The system we have has been the best the world has ever known, and I hope it survives despite all the naysayers, complainers, whiners, and people considering only their own interests!

This country has survived a long time, based on moral values, decency, and integrity, and I certainly hope people catch on to what has been happening, and vote for some decency and restraint before it is too late!

I agree totally.

Last summer, the wife and I watched in horror as a 4 alarm forest fire came within 200 yards of our place before it was brought under control. Now, the Forest Service is doing control burns just as fast as they can to improve the situation.

And, thanks for sorting out the question of just who the clod really is in this instance.

Allan

I fight fires for a living and believe me when your out there and you see all the under brush around you the Red Flags go up FAST! It is the dead trees laying down, brush built up over the years from no fires or people thinning the forests which Mother Nature did a long time ago. Instead of a ground fire the brush burns hot and fast causing enought heat to get to the tops of the trees and start a crown fire which no matter how much water you have can't be put out! We need to thin the forests, put in roads so fire fighters can get in to put fires out instead of being droped from a Plane or Helicopters. Our big fire started that way we could not get to it because of the brush and trees so the little lightning strike turned into a 78,000 acer fire in trees they would not allow roads or cutting to be done in. Don't have to worry about cutting those trees now there gone! Mark H.