Update from Greg Walden during day two of the national energy tax committee amendment meetings

[ORWWmedia]

It is becoming obvious that there is at least as much dead wood in Congress as in our nation's forests.

The western forest fires of the past 20 years were predicted and were largely preventable. Our nation's dead trees and neglected forests will continue to produce more such wildfires, more carbon-dioxide (smoke & rot), more human fatalities and smoke-related health problems, more ruined wildlife habitat, and more threatened and impoverished rural communities.

What is wrong with Congress?

[sdownhill]

I have an idea...let's bring Congress out to the west, put them through Basic Firefighter training, put shovels in their hands and show them to the front of a hot fireline. We'll give them occasional breaks so they can attend funerals of firefighters on an "as needed" basis. Put them back out on the fireline. And then send them a check for firefighter's wages so they can fully appreciate what's going on out here on the side of the U.S. most of them know nothing about.

Thanks Greg & staff.