I would like to address just one issue raised in the debate between the presidential candidates. Approximately 60% of the forest land in California is under federal control via either the U.S. Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management, as is most of the forest that has burned. This percentage is even larger in many other western states, like Utah, where fires have also been destructive.
Both of these agencies are part of the executive branch of our government. President Donald Trump’s criticism of the management of those forests should, in fact, be turned on himself, as appropriate stewardship of those lands is his responsibility. During his three-and-a-half years in office, no budgetary increase has been designated for fire abatement procedures on federal lands. Instead, the focus has been on timber harvesting for the benefit of private industry.
Once again, the president has demonstrated himself uninterested in and incapable of fulfilling the responsibilities of his office. He must be replaced.
As an aside, the Biden campaign should insist, for the next debate, that the microphone of the candidate who has not been asked to speak be turned off until it is his turn. A single camera focused on the current speaker could also restore some civil demeanor.
Dana Carroll, Salt Lake City