Public Lands Debate Hijacked by Extremists in Nevada
At the urging of a small but vocal group of extremists, the Nevada legislature is considering an unconstitutional bill that would take public lands currently managed by the Federal government and hand them over to private interests for grazing, logging and mining ( Assembly Bill 408 ). Cliven Bundy, whose dangerous supporters aimed semi-automatic rifles at law enforcement officers, characterizes the bill as a " freedom and liberty thing ," according to the Los Angeles Times. They suggest that the Federal government limits public access to public land in Nevada, but they apparently define "freedom" as giving industry free reign to destroy the desert. Southern Nevada is blessed with some beautiful desert wildlands. Drive in any direction from Las Vegas and you'll find a corner of desert where you can enjoy solitude, the smell of creosote, and a beautiful landscape. Contrary to what Bundy would like me to believe, I have never felt fenced out. I have camp