They kill good trees to put out bad newspapers

They kill good trees to put out bad newspapers

James G. Watt, the controversial Secretary of the Interior under President Ronald Reagan, was known for his strong stance on environmental issues. One of his most infamous quotes was, “I do not know how many future generations we can count on before the Lord returns, whatever it is we have to manage with a skill to leave the resources needed for future generations.” This quote reflects Watt’s belief that natural resources should be used for the benefit of current generations, rather than being preserved for the future.

Watt’s policies as Secretary of the Interior reflected this belief, as he advocated for increased logging and mining on public lands. He believed that economic development should take precedence over environmental conservation, leading to clashes with environmentalists and conservationists. One of the most controversial aspects of Watt’s tenure was his support for logging in national forests, which led to the destruction of old-growth trees and the disruption of fragile ecosystems.

The quote, “They kill good trees to put out bad newspapers,” can be seen as a criticism of Watt’s policies and their impact on the environment. By prioritizing economic development over conservation, Watt was allowing the destruction of valuable natural resources for short-term gain. The metaphor of “bad newspapers” suggests that the benefits of Watt’s policies were not worth the cost to the environment.

Watt’s tenure as Secretary of the Interior was marked by controversy and criticism, and he ultimately resigned in 1983 amid a scandal involving his comments about minority groups. However, his legacy lives on in the impact of his policies on public lands and natural resources. The quote, “They kill good trees to put out bad newspapers,” serves as a reminder of the importance of balancing economic development with environmental conservation, and the need to protect our natural resources for future generations.