Arizona Central: Special Report | Wildland Fire History
“So great were the fires of 1880 that Pyne in America’s Fires: Management on Wildlands and Forests (1997) called the period “The Great Barbecue.” Essentially North America was on fire as a result of human ignition sources and shifting land practices. The creation of the Forest Service formalized a national approach — “dominion over” the forces of nature. The United States moved within less than 100 years from a nation of conflagration to a fire-starved nation. Are we ready to return to wisdom held in traditional hunter and gatherer societies that fire is as natural as water; both can be givers and takers of life and property?” ["Got Caliche?"]
This seems like a pretty balanced article, a good basis to begin the discussion that is sure to continue for some time.
Housekeeping
We steam cleaned carpets today. Ugh. The gunk that comes out of carpets is just disgusting, especially knowing you will never get it all out. I think we are going to look into alternatives to these wall to wall dirt catchers. No really, that’s why I must go to Home Depot and Lowe’s. No other reason. I might have to examine those slick masonry saws too. I’m sure there might be some other appropriate tools there as well. Especially big yellow cordless ones that say DeWalt or red ones … you get the idea.
I’ve been smelling gas for some time and I keep seeing people playing with matches…
“(…) [T]here’s a nastiness out there right now the likes of which I have never seen–and which I think you dismiss, in your sensible neocon centrism, at your own considerable risk.
I’m an urban kind o’ guy, so let’s put this in urban terms: imagine that you live in a large apartment complex, and there are one or two people in the building who think they smell gas, and they keep complaining about it, trying to get the super to do something. No one else smells it, and everyone has a grand time making fun of them–oh, yeah, gas, right! I’ll bet we’re all going to die anyday now, ha ha ha!
And then one day the building explodes.
You see where I’m going with this? If you’re out there on the right, or even in that sensible neocon center, you’re probably not smelling the gas. You’re probably not exposed to the overwhelming mass of sheer ignorant hatred that’s out there, coiled and waiting. You’re probably not subject to a constant barrage of email that reminds of you of this on a daily, even hourly basis, that makes you wonder, for the first time in your life, even including the years of Reagan and Bush the elder, if this country is actually, literally, genuinely headed for something more frightening than you’d ever thought possible.
But just because you’re not seeing it–because in your sensible moderation, your support of the “war” and your denunciations of suicide bombing or whatever other incredibly brave and risky stance you’ve chosen to take (bad things are wrong!)–just because you’re not seeing it, that doesn’t mean it’s not there. Ready to ignite and take you down right along with those crazy complainers in 3-b.” [This Modern World by Tom Tomorrow] [via mark who credits Gordon Coale]
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Good News