Let There be Light, but Not in Maine

January 30, 2026

Few images evoke more emotional symbolism than light. As far back as history records, light held a significant place in ancient cultures, many of which worshipped the sun. In the Christian faith, the “light of the world” symbolizes truth, divinity, knowledge, even life itself. That is the symbolic origin of Christmas lights on our houses. […]

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How to Spend Venezuela’s Oil Money

January 23, 2026

America’s capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro has commentators arguing about what to do with the country’s oil. In many ways, it’s the wrong argument. Global political and market forces will ultimately determine whose cars and factories benefit. However, the future of the country and its industry will not be determined by the fate of […]

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Just to Know It’s There – Not Enough

January 16, 2026

Biannually during my years at Club 20, we took 50 Western Slope leaders to Washington to meet with key leaders on public lands and other issues important to our region. During one such trip, we had a spirited conversation with a congressional staffer from Rhode Island, whose boss was pushing legislation to designate wilderness areas […]

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Refocusing the Endangered Species Act

January 9, 2026

They’re gutting the Endangered Species Act, have you heard? A good friend of mine hired a professional photographer, at great expense, to take pictures during a planned event. Afterwards, when the finished pictures were delivered, virtually all of them were blurry, because the camera had been out of focus. Laws are like that, too, when […]

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If Others Make Laws, What Does Congress Do?

January 6, 2026

An interesting case in Tennessee focuses on Congress delegating its legislative power to others – for decades. Not just to executive branch agencies, but in some situations to anyone at all. In Tennessee Riverkeeper v. City of Luttrell, an environmental group from another state (Alabama) sued the tiny town of Lutrell, population 1,000, over its […]

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Colorado River Flowing With Crocodile Tears

December 26, 2025

“Crocodile tears” is an expression describing an insincere, hypocritical display of emotion, like when a murderer pretends to mourn his victim. It is an ancient metaphor – Plutarch attributed it to “antiquity” during Nero’s reign. It has been around so long because, believe it or not, there is truth in it. Crocodiles do have tear […]

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Poor Planning Leaves Colorado Wolf Program Uncertain

December 19, 2025

A 16-year-old, just allowed to drive and still excited about running family errands, was sent on an important one Christmas Eve. The family was out of eggs and cream needed to make the eggnog and sent him to the store. Everyone depended on him, the pressure was on, but when he arrived the store was […]

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Finally, a Definition of “Taking”

December 17, 2025

The 1998 final report of independent counsel Ken Starr’s investigation of President Clinton led to the first impeachment since 1868. But today the report is better remembered for Clinton’s response, buried in footnote 1128, “It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.” Pundits made fun of it, but there was nothing new […]

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Feds Own the Dams – Who Owns the Water?

December 13, 2025

A couple years ago, I criticized the Bureau of Reclamation for draining Blue Mesa Reservoir without bothering to tell the people in Gunnison whose livelihood is affected. I got a little push-back for saying that while the Bureau owned the dam, it did not own the water. A close friend and water lawyer told me […]

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Political Climate is Deteriorating Even Faster

November 26, 2025

Over 70,000 people just left Belém, Brazil after attending the annual UN climate change party, called COP30 because it was the 30th annual “Conference of the Parties.” This year there were 56,118 delegates, appointed by governments who are parties to the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Besides the delegates themselves, there were over […]

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