To the editor:

In late November a writer pleaded for the incoming administration not to make good on a campaign promise to end a ban on new mineral leases in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). I’m afraid that such a request will fall on deaf, ready-to-accept-financial-remunerations-for-the-rape-of-the-land ears. And the cherry on top of this politically-charged sundae would be for 45 to affix his name to the project and the place. How do Donald J. Trump Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Donald J. Trump Sulfide-Ore and Copper Mine suit your fancy? (We’re all fully aware of how he loves taking credit for other people’s accomplishments and seeing his name in bold print.)

If there’s a buck to be made by lifting this ban, you can be sure that the President-elect has nominated some loyalist who will see an opportunity for himself and his boss to cash in. You people, who have enjoyed the splendor of indulging in our state’s natural camping landscapes, just go ahead and pitch a tent in your backyards for a week or two. Good enough. With the glaring humanitarian crises the incoming administration is choosing to ignore by eradication, I’m afraid that preservation of a wilderness area is a ridiculous, old-fashioned notion that will not stand in the way of progress. You don’t believe me?

Do you remember “Drill, baby, drill.”? In a Truth Social post on Dec. 10, the president-elect said: “Any person or company investing one billion dollars or more in the United States of America, will receive fully expedited approvals and permits, including, but in no way limited to, all environmental approvals.” “Get ready to rock” On Jan. 7, President Biden signed a proclamation protecting two national monuments (848,000 acres of southern California) and protecting the east and west coasts, the eastern coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska’s northern Bering Sea (625 million acres) from drilling for oil or natural gas. How long is it going to take the President-elect to undo these moves? Who knows…maybe some enterprising billionaire will find some of the president-elect’s “liquid gold” in Flandrau State Park.

Keith R. Klawitter

Morgan

507-430-3585