The good editors were interested in the subject matter, but we were in the middle of a heated election season at the time that was using up all available oxygen.
Now that the voting is over and President Obama is firmly entrenched for another 4 years, there is more room for other subjects. When asked recently about the piece, I offered my opinion that this particular topic is a timeless one, and the editors apparently agreed. My opinions are, as the piece makes clear, colored by my own experiences -- I don't pretend to be an unbiased observer by any means.
Anyway, the reader can be the judge -- here's the link. Enjoy!
1 comment:
All very interesting, but in these two sentences:
"Is anywhere completely safe, though? At one time, those of us who grew up ranching on the rough ridges and vast openness of the high plains thought we would be very safe."
I would substitute the word "living" for "ranching" and put it in the mouth of an Indian, who was not merely induced to leave his land by the machinations of the government and conservationists, but actually driven from the land, or outright killed.
I know, I know, two wrongs don't make a right and the past is past and we have to deal with the here and now ... but still, the almost mystical image of the noble rancher, proud steward of the land, now being displaced by a cruel government, doesn't wring from me the same pity I feel for the people removed to make way for the ranchers.
I would rather face Barack Obama than Philip Sheridan.
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