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I indubitably support public lands. I indubitably support wilderness. I indubitably support the creation of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.

I grew up in Texas where there is no public land to speak of. Public to me is a godsend. Wilderness to me is Valhalla. I can assure everyone that there is absolutely positively no cons or negative repercussions to wilderness. The Scotchman Peaks deserve to be eternally protected. I am proud of Sen. James Risch. He is a common sense conservative.

To the opponents of wilderness I challenge: Take a drive down Interstate 90 between Coeur d’ Alene and Spokane. Scotchman Peaks could look like that if we don’t protect them. “They’re protected as public land, you idiot” you say. Wrong sir. Wrong, I say. The nefarious program of land swaps still exist within the National Forest Service system. A billionaire or a group of multi-millionaires could buy the Scotchman Peaks and make them look just like the I-90 corridor. And sure the American public would get a swap of “equal” value somewhere in Aluetian Islands.

As to all you infinitely absurd conspiracy theorists I highly recommend you turn off your Alex Jones “Infowars” and “Breitbart” (they are after all bigger paranoid entitlement idiots than yourselves) and take a walk in the Scotchman Peaks. I urge you to compare and contrast to the dismal culturally barbarian I-90 corridor. The Scotchmans are destined for protection.

I believe that wilderness is not a privilege but a right.

JACK GREEN

Sandpoint