9 Comments
Feb 17Liked by Jonathan P. Thompson

Great piece! Those cows are a part of Western history. They conjure up images of Goodnight and Loving. Clearly a humane roundup is going to happen. But first we need a multi-million dollar study to figure out how many can remain sustainably. How many cows wallowing in a drainage are too many? Then turn out the captured beeves on fed-maintained acreage, and feed them hay in winters. Adopt the pretty ones...

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Now I see that inside the journalist beats a fine dryland prose poet. Datura follows the rain.

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Feb 20Liked by Jonathan P. Thompson

The causes and effects among desertification, forests, cultivation, irrigation, and climate in America seem to swirl endlessly like a dust devil. Is there any good science or cultural wisdom on the subject from sub-Saharan Africa or the steppes of Asia?

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Feb 17Liked by Jonathan P. Thompson

It would seem to me the actual Dust Bowl would have put the pin in any wild idea that either farming, livestock, or planting trees (or building homes) in arid places could possibly increase precipitation! But then just listen (if you can stand it) to some of our elite politicians "thoughtful" solutions to any problem & realize no pin - no end to wishful thinking.

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