Tomorrow, the U.S. Senate will begin confirmation hearings for Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, President Bush’s nominee to replace Gale Norton as Interior Secretary. In anticipation of this event, the Idaho Statesmen continues its series on Kempthorne’s career, and what we might expect from him as chief steward of our public lands. Tidepool’s top story today sniffs out the money trail behind the governor. As we all know, money talks, and it looks like logging, mining and agriculture will gain another voice in Washington.
On the coast, Monday was a bittersweet opening day for salmon fishermen. The Christian Science Monitor provides a good overview of this year’s Klamath crisis and beyond.
And beyond the region: For a great read about an emerging trend–conservatives who conserve–check out Tidepool’s front page. The Washington Post profiles Dallas Morning News editor Rod Dreher, author of the book Crunchy Cons: How Birkenstocked Burkeans, Gun-Loving Organic Gardeners, Evangelical Free-Range Farmers, Hip Homeschooling Mamas, Right-Wing Nature Lovers, and Their Diverse Tribe of Countercultural Conservatives Plan to Save America (or At Least the Republican Party). Dreher could be the anti-Tom Frank.
Locally (actually about three blocks away), I’m looking forward to another opening day: the Columbia City Farmer’s Market. I’m going shopping this afternoon!
Here’s a related green business trend that predates
agricultural society: professional foraging. Tonight, I suggest some sauteed stinging nettles to accompany a wild salmon supper.
