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Volume 38 Issue 10
February 27, 2001

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Preserve, don’t destroy

MESA LEGEND
Submitted February 27, 2001

Dear Legend,

This letter is in response to the Mesa Legend editorial, ("Hey Arsonist, need a lighter?), supporting arson, by Justin Lambright.

Mr. Lambright says, "burn it all."

One aspect of earth life is the competition for habitat–food, water, living spaces and shelter necessary for a species’ population increase.

As people, our kind is very successful at reproducing and modifying habitat to our advantage, with the resulting loss to others, since we’re dealing with a finite resource.

In my opinion, a preferred response is to try to minimize the loss, rather than to render useless the modifications.

Neither the people nor the other creatures benefit from Mr. Lambright’s destruction.

One may or may not believe in the private property that the predominant concept favors.

So, one interested in preserving non-developed land could purchase his own property for such, or join a group interested in preservation.

Arizona is host to many of these groups, which target riparian areas, wilderness, etc.

A relevant law one should keep in mind before following Mr. Lambright’s command to "torch Ahwatukee," is Arizona Revised Statutes Title 13-411. Justification; use of (deadly) force in crime prevention, relating to arson of an occupied structure.

Dave Janecek, Mesa

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