Show us the lumber and mineral fairies, please

Letter to the Editor,

Roberta McCanse, having read your letter dated March 26, 2014, it is obvious that you are not originally from Northwestern Montana. Otherwise, you would realize that our true heritage was (and still is) the forest and mining.

We have taken care of the forest’s health through logging which produces lumber and good-paying jobs that lead to economic stability. Unless you have lived under a rock, you have children, possibly grandchildren and great-grandchildren or friends who do.

They will grow up needing and wanting homes, which take lumber to build. It’s lumber that comes from trees that come from the forest. And they will also want (and need) all of the things that are made from precious metals that come from mining.

Individuals who share your opinions, drive logging and mining operations overseas where there is little or no control over the methods used in these operations. This leads to very destructive results to the global environment.

Perhaps, Roberta McCanse has discovered the illusive lumber and mining fairies that magically deposit lumber at building sites and precious metals at jewelry stores and manufacturing plants.

If you have discovered the above-mentioned fairies, please share them with the rest of the people in Northwestern Montana. We would love to see them.

If not, we do not need you to tell us what our heritage is. We’ve known what it is for many, many years. And we are damn proud of what it is. Logging, lumber and mining.

— Milo J. Haugen

Libby