Speaking out against wild mustang roundup



The wild horses that roam the Onaqui Range in Utah are federally protected under the Wild Horse and Burro Act of 1971, passed by Congress declaring mustangs and burros to be “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West” that “enrich the lives of the American people.” The majority of public lands in the West is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which also controls most wild horse and burro herds.

Living near Salt Lake City, the horses of the Onaqui Mountain Range are the most visited and photographed mustang herd in our country. Shockingly, the BLM is planning on removing 80 percent (465 mustangs) of this mustang herd, starting in July, from the rangeland. These horses, if taken out, will be exposed to severe stress and will lose the freedom they love. Among the BLM’s targeted horses for removal is the legendary 28-year-old stallion nicknamed Old Man and continually sought after by tourists and photographers. Wild horses gathered from their range are sent to the BLM’s holding pens; where they wait to be adopted, are sent to off-range pastures, or are shipped to slaughter.

When the proposed roundup is finished, only 121 horses will be left on the Onaqui Range. That’s one horse per 1,985 acres.

Every mustang and burro could live its entire life in the wild without interference, but there lies a problem in the West that is yet to be solved. Each year, the BLM allows thousands of privately owned livestock, such as cattle and sheep, to graze on the wild horses’ and burros’ federally protected lands. On the Onaqui Range, the BLM allows the annual grazing equivalent of about 1,070 cow/calf pairs or 5,350 sheep to graze in 10 land allotments. The low population limit that the BLM has placed on mustangs in this area is a result of the federal giveaway of forage to commercial livestock interests.

The American Wild Horse Campaign has started an act to Save Onaqui (www.saveonaqui.com), including a petition they are preparing to send to BLM authorities. They need as many people as possible to sign this petition, spread the word, and join the rally to save these unique icons of the American West. Consider joining this cause to preserve this magnificent herd for our generation and the ones to come.

Erin Phillips, Springfield

Plentiful evidence to doubt Trump's leadership

Reams of text and multiple videos have presented many dimensions regarding President Donald Trump. This text provides a detailed but compressed summary of matters to assist in an evaluation. The ultimate premise is Trump displays ignorance, mental deficiencies, absence of memory, lack of concern for reality and disregard for truth.

Trump and his father, Fred, were sued in 1973 by the Justice Department for 39 instances of housing discrimination regarding their New York city rental units. In 1981 he acquired a building in New York to be converted into luxury condos. In order to terminate tenants who had leases he is alleged to have turned off the utilities.

Regarding his financial acuteness, Trump’s businesses filed four bankruptcies in 1991, 1992, 2004 and 2009, which demonstrated a lack of financial concern.

“Charitable” activities present another area of fraud. One scheme was to solicit donations for his foundation from others and transfer them to organizations contending they were from him. However, it did not have proper permission from New York state to accept donations. The IRS determined it violated self-dealing rules.

Trump was married three times. First Ivana and subsequently he married Marla with whom he had a daughter. Later they divorced and he began dating Melania Knovs with whom he continues to be married, even though Trump purportedly was involved with Stormy Daniels, an “adult” film actress in 2006 after he married Melania.

As a candidate and president Trump deviated from predecessors by failing to produce his tax returns. An additional example to avoid disclosure of personal information was his instruction to educational institutions not to reveal his grades.

Prior to Trump’s election he stated that Mexico would pay for a wall on its border with Texas. No fact supported that contention but he stated in March 2019 that he never said Mexico would pay for the wall. To address that matter he issued an executive order contending the construction was a national emergency even though many sources within and without the administration denied that characterization plus the impact on the federal budget.

The draft dodger made a vicious and wrongful attack on deceased national war hero, Sen. John McCain, which was disgusting and presented the height of ignorance.

A very disturbing dynamic is Trump’s admiration of Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un. That is like the attorney general being friends with Al Capone. Case closed.

Stanley E. Harris, Jr., Savannah

Editorial highlighted overlooked sector

Thank you to the editorial board for the kind words directed towards Savannah's tourism and hospitality industry in the "Our View" column published March 27.

Sometimes the hard work of the 27,000-plus workers in this sector isn't noticed, but I am happy to see how much our people mean to the continued success of our great city. Thanks.

Leonard Massey, general manager

Springhill Suites-Historic District