Wild Trails & Tall Tales

- Roland Cheek

A FUTURE FOR OUR KIDS

It all began with Hilger rancher John Gilpatrick writing, "I read a comment you made that said something like this: 'What we need is a conservative with a conservation ethic.' How true!" So, I used John's comment in a column which, in turn, triggered a mailbox full of support. Jim Milos, of a fourth generation Montana ranch family, writes:

"I have spent my entire life here in this great state. Although I am currently not living on my family ranch, I am still very close to the land and am greatly concerned about what happens to it. Your column takes me that much closer to the land and certainly echoes my sentiments about this country and how it ought to be managed. The same column of yours that stimulated this writing indicated that what we need in government is a conservative with a conservation ethic. I couldn't agree more...."

Fred DesRosier of Browning, who has hunted in Montana "since the 1930's and guided in 'the Bob'" writes to say thanks "for your columns that I have enjoyed so much over these past few years." Fred adds, "You speak for a lot of us in articulate, conservative, conservationist language."

Hank Rate of Gardiner wrote this insightful analysis: "The modern 'Conservative' battle cry that 'God told us' to destroy the things he put on Earth to sustain us has to be one of the great philosophical distortions of all time (whether your long suit is economics or religion)."

And Jim Meade of Great Falls weighed in with: "My folks were republicans and fiscal conservatives from the word 'go', and I have never voted for any Presidential candidate that wasn't a republican. In recent years, however, as Ron Marlene began throwing terms like 'Tree Huggers' and 'Prairie Fairies' and 'Fern Feelers' about, I began telling myself that he was describing ME, and while I regret Pat Williams liberalism when it comes to money, and a host of social issues, I found myself voting for Pat rather than Ron, based entirely on their stance on the environment."

Jim concludes with this plea for follow-through: "Like you, I just wish that there were a lot more fiscal conservatives with a conservation ethic. I hope your mailbox is jammed with similar thoughts and you will let Conrad know about us!"

The first "Wild Trails & Tall Tales" newspaper column appeared May 10, 1982. There've been five per month since--a total of 840. Never has any of my previous columns generated such response as the one mentioned above. It was a simple piece based on the simple premise that anyone who claims to be a fiscal conservative, yet advocates anything less than careful husbandry of our nation's resources, cannot be a conservative at all.

It's a contradiction in terms to claim conservatism, yet not practice conservation--an oxymoron. "Subdue the earth," so says the Good Book; not make her scream in mortal anguish.

Like the two Jims and Fred and Hank, I hope Conrad is listening. And we pray others who are elected to any office are doing likewise. It's the only way the Montana we know and love will be here for our kids. And their kids . . . .

click here to visit Roland's column archives