Letter to the Editor, Knoxville News-Sentinel

I agree with David Muhly that President Bush's plan exploits the fears of forest fires run amok. However, I disagree with him on the solution.

I propose that the federal government get out of the land management business and eventually let groups like the Sierra Club manage the forests. This gets the fox out of the henhouse and allows the Sierra Club to put its beliefs into practice.

But, in general, managing land and natural resources is going to require a drastic change in our way of thinking. In the past, farming and trade were mostly local.

The automobile, along with other technologies, has enabled us to travel further and ship products across the country in faster times. The automobiles run on gasoline. The roads have to be put someplace. The technological advances are wonderful but at what cost?

It has been said that suicide, depression and drug addiction are features of an advanced culture. The order of the day is to get it now while it lasts, beat your competitors and win at all costs. We are encouraged to buy now, even a $150,000 house while still having the new car payments and credit card payments.

In order to pay off these debts, we have to work more and longer, even with the conveniences of modern technology to keep up our standard of living.

CHRIS FORTNER
Knoxville