Rep. Paul Gosar, R-AZ, is introducing a bill co-sponsored by two other Arizona Representatives, Eli Crane and Andy Biggs, to eliminate two National Monuments in Arizona. He said:

“The reckless declaration of vast national monuments has locked up thousands of acres of land, placing them off limits to responsible mining, energy development and other multiple-use purposes that help fuel our economy and support American energy independence.”

This calls to mind the arguments back in the 70’s and 80’s – multiple-use good, ‘locking up’ public land bad.

One clown back then, don’t remember who, complained that if we keep locking up public lands we’d be in danger of having too many trees. This was someone elected to Congress.

Another railed at the dangers of the “wildernessization” of America.

I guess this kind of short-sighted stupidity survives and carries on in Congress from generation to generation.