Extremist thinking tends to replicate during times of confusion and uncertainty. In this issue, we look at some of the extremist groups currently making headlines across the West, including Christian Reconstructionists in Idaho and Montana, patriot militias in Oregon and radical right-wing vigilantes in New Mexico. Our August issue also highlights collaborative efforts that transcend conflict, examining the life-saving solutions of two West Coast communities facing dire shortages in food and housing, and chronicling the decades-long efforts of the Pueblo of Acoma and U.S. investigators to return a stolen ceremonial shield to its home in New Mexico. We track the devastating effects of COVID-19 on the once-thriving clean energy industry and explore the long-term consequences of the psychological trauma that wildland firefighters experience. Finally, we introduce readers to a literary experiment in nature poetry and a debut novel about three generations of Cherokee women, and we learn how the pandemic forced one scientist to question the whole concept of “invasive species.”
Local water devastating wildlife
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the border wall construction in Arizona continues at a breakneck pace, using local #water to spray down dusty roads and mix concrete, with a devastating impact on #wildlife, too, including the Yaqui catfish. Fred Page, via Twitter This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Local…
Yaqui catfish
The July feature story, “Fish Out of Water,” has everything: colonization’s long-term effects, the ridiculously destructive border wall, the environmental costs of human habitat, the imminent loss of a species that lasted millions of years, and so much more. Jennifer Taw, via Twitter This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the…
Unraveling the mystery of a stolen ceremonial shield
How a sacred object from the Pueblo of Acoma turned up at a Paris auction house, and how the tribe fought for its return.
Heartbroken
“Armed and contagious” is an interesting article. The culling of human beings is what I am heartbroken about – our old, our houseless, our vulnerable. Natalie Hirtvia Twitter This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Heartbroken.
A great story
“Fish Out of Water” by Maya Kapoor, is a great (sad, beautiful, thoughtful) story. Vicky Stein, via Twitter This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline A great story.
American violence
To provide some historical framing for current socio-political happenings, look to Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz’s “Armed and contagious” in the June issue. When things don’t make sense, dig into history to find out why. Alan-Michael Weatherford, via Twitter This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline American violence.
An alternative to the police
For anyone in Seattle who is interested in City Councilmember Andrew Lewis’s proposal to create a mental health response unit similar to Eugene’s CAHOOTS program, Anna V. Smith did a very good, detailed report on this in the June issue of High Country News (“Experts in de-escalation”). Andrew Engelson, via Twitter This article appeared in…
#BlackBirders
OMG: I love this (“#BlackBirdersWeek takes on racism,” June 2020). Bird nerds are my people. Come on in. Jason White, via Facebook This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline #BlackBirders.
BLM employees aren’t adversaries
My thanks to Jim Kenna for his a well-written explanation of the current situation at the Bureau of Land Management in “Bureau of Lost Management” (June 2020). I spent almost 35 years with the BLM. As in the past, most employees work for the people and the land. Many of the public view the employees as adversaries.…
Colorado wolves
Belatedly discovering Ethan Linck’s feature story, “Throwing Wolves to the Vote,” in the March 2020 issue leaves me with a sense of unease as his discussion of the pros and cons of scientific justification versus activist promotion of the forthcoming legislative initiative for deciding whether wolves should be reintroduced in Colorado. Although I generally agree with Linck’s…
Fresh minds join the fold
We welcome three new editorial interns, albeit remotely.
Guns, profits and a culture of privilege
Author Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz offers an interesting point of view on the armed reopen “protests.” It’s a chilling analysis that sums up three centuries and their original sins: guns, profits and a culture of privilege. Maybe a tad bit radical, but it makes you think. Jürgen Kraus, via Twitter This article appeared in the print edition…
Where people are stepping up
In the face of conflict and misinformation, hope remains.
How we show up as allies
Concerning Emily Benson’s interview with Sheridan Alford in “BlackBirdersWeek takes on racism”: This is how we show up as allies. We need to welcome everyone to enjoy the peace and nature of America’s great outdoors. #outdoorsforall #diversityoutdoors #access4all Poppy Davis, via Twitter This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline…
As a plague sweeps the land, zealots see a gift from heaven
Extremist pastors are using the COVID-19 pandemic to push their conservative religious ideologies.
Leaders have lost their way
In Jim Kenna’s “Perspective” piece in the July issue, “Bureau of Lost Management,” the phrase “have lost their way” implies that the same people who did the right thing before now have lost their way. It also implies that the entire designed and carefully executed strategy to replace federal employees with this administration’s shady debris…
Teenage wolves; petticoat rulers; Alaska’s permissive hunting
Mishaps and mayhem from around the region.
Patriot militia groups mobilize during a deadly pandemic and massive protests
‘That has a real chilling effect on democratic practice.’
Food insecurities exposed by COVID-19 in Washington
A task force addresses weaknesses and inequities in the food system.
The job loss epidemic
COVID-19 impacts ripple through every sector of the economy.
New Mexico’s thin blurred line
Police in the state have long flirted with radical right-wing vigilantism.
‘One hell of a testimony’ about mothers and daughters
Debut novelist Kelli Jo Ford writes a lyrical tale of faith and family.
University of California remains vigilant amid DACA decision
Supreme Court rules in favor of DACA program, but immigrant rights still have a long way to go.
Am I an invasive species?
How COVID-19 and ‘murder hornets’ compelled a writer to rethink invasions.
Reimagining nature poetry
Benjamin Garcia’s ‘Thrown in the Throat’ uses plants and landscapes to think past oppressive structures.
The housing policy that’s turning back gentrification
In the wake of COVID-19, some California cities are introducing tenant protections.
Wildland firefighters are risking their mental health
As climate change lengthens fire seasons, will the government do enough to protect them?