Redwoods
I doubt that those who oppose the burning of our national symbol, the U.S. flag, would stand by while the flag was similarly desecrated by a chain saw. And while this debate rages on, our state government has rejected a bill that would protect ancient California redwoods from the logging companies.
These 1,500-year-old trees are a living symbol of our national heritage and, like the California grizzly that graces our state flag, we may soon see the last of them as well.
How will we explain to future generations that we felt these irreplaceable examples of living history, and the wildlife they harbor, were best used to provide us with hot tubs and redwood decks?
The nylon symbols we salute and to which we pledge our allegiance will seem empty without the ideals and natural heritage which they were meant to represent.
SCOTT TRIMINGHAM
President, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Redondo Beach
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