Saturday, September 22, 2012

Our Latest National Monument: Chimney Rock

Sometimes naked politics is bi-partisan - AND a good thing.
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President Obama has just created the latest National Monument, Chimney Rock National Monument in Colorado.  The bill was put forward by many in the Colorado delegation (including the local Representative - a Republican, Scott Tipton and the Democratic Senator, Michael Bennet), but like everything else in Congress it was stuck in the La Brea Tar Pits that is swallowing our government.
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So, the Republican Congressman (Scott Tipton) from the district who wants to get re-elected spoke with the Democratic President who wants to get re-elected.  And, the administration can designate National Monuments if the site had been a National Historic Area (via the 1906 Antiquities Act).  Chimney Rock has been a National Historic Site for years due to it's historical importance to the Pueblo Indians.
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So we now have 103 National Monuments.  Full Story


I have to admit, growing up visiting National Parks and Monuments all California - I LOVE the desert / high desert landscape.  There is a majesty to the wilderness that calls to me.  (Granted, calls me to hike, then spend the night in a hotel - but calls none the less.)