Comments on: Forests: The good, the bad and the ugly

Stunningly lush Hoh Rain Forest in Washington stands in stark contrast to acres of clear-cut forestland, reporter finds.
Photos: A contrasts in forests

[pra9ma]

It's sad when your faced with the truth

I'm always amazed how people react when they are faced with the reality of the impact that humanity is having on the planet. Unfortunately, few of us get the opportunity to witness the majesty of the wilderness. We're all so caught up in our lives and like any good consumer, we want everything to be as cheap as possible... unfortunately, devastation of the environment is often a direct or indirect result of market efficiency. Society can't have it all... if we want to protect the wilderness on the planet, we must curb our insatiable consumerism.

[t8]

America & conservation

America has a bad reputation for conservation. Everything is big (supersize me) including the bad stuff such as disasters and lack of conservation. But a lack of conservation is linked to ecological disasters.

You need to look at country's with good conservation to show you the way.

New Zealand, Australia, Norway, to name a few. They put you to shame.

[jfoxbox2]

Germany clear cuts

I just returned from Germany- and I guess America isn't so bad- since they clear cut in Germany as well. I saw it from the train.

[hostilelifeform]

really???

I just came across this article and I had to add my comments, sorry. I hate to brust you bubble but America spends more on enviromental clean up than just about any other nation. If you want a platform, go to China or the former Soviet Union. There are cesspools there for you to trumpet.

[ecovillain]

What does this drivel have to do with Technology?

Would this not be better suited material for the Sierra Club newsletter?

JMHO

[mhurwicz]

Levels of technology

I can see where someone might think this sort of thing doesn't belong in a technology news site, but so often I only get to see one side of technology. The side where things are being manufactured or new ways to do things. Overlooked is the other side of things, which is how that affects nature. I've been reading stories which discuss working conditions for people in China. Is that technology? I guess so because they are people who work in the technology area.
Recycling is often considered technological and part of that is just not making the stuff in the first place.

Is there a better news site?

I'm getting quite tired of these "news" articles that having nothing to do with technology news. It seems the editors at Cnet are bent on driving the same left-wing political agenda that is pervasive throughout much of the other mainstream news outlets.

Does anybody know of a good tech news web site that can be used as an alternative? I like having the ability to find tech news in one place to keep (somewhat) current but I can't keep using this site.

[assman]

You can't be serious

Are you really trying to say that this article was written to push a liberal agenda? Somehow, natural life has suddenly become left-wing politics.. editors aren't allowed to have opinions.. and vacations by cnet editors must be bound to technology-oriented discussions only?

I recommend people of your stature to http://www.foxnews.com/

[assman]

Welcome to Washington!

I thought it was awesome that you were visiting my area (though I live in Tacoma).. it is certainly a beautiful area - you should visit Mount Rainier sometime.

[rubybeach]

more to this story

This Olympic Peninsula resident has been baited by your article... You are right, the clearcuts are stark in contrast to the park... but please consider that the highway takes you thru the working forests, not thru the park. It has been state law in Washington since 1957 that harvested forests must be replanted.
Look closer, you passed timber stands of all ages being grown, planted, thinned and harvested for our benefit. The real ugly part is short-lived.
Learn more on the free logging and mill tour that the Forks Chamber of Commerce offers in season, and bring your laptop - this little town has free wi-fi at their visitor center.

[ecovillain]

Interesting...

You mean to tell me that the evil logging industry is not so evil after all. Not even the diet coke of evil.

The Wi-Fi at the visitors center would have been a worthy addition to the article. But then the writer would have had a journalistic obligation to tell the whole story, and that's just not sensational.

Kudos to rubybeach for the post.

[STS]

Washington IS unique!

I grew up in the Seattle area and as much of the US as I have seen during the last 40+ years, it is unique! It is the only state that, within you can find ocean, a rain forest a mountain range, inland saltwater ways, another mountain range, and a desert, all within a few hours drive (though it would take many days (weeks?) to properly experience the varied terrain. It is a great place to vacation, summer OR winter!

The clear cutting the author describes has been an eyesore for decades in the NW. I can only hope that the relatively new selective logging technologies will reduce the aesthetically and ecologically damaging aspects of logging.

Let's hear it for technology! :D

Scott

[gbenner]

Ugly?

While I have only lived in Washington for 8 years, I grew up in the
Great Land up north. Alaska. I have seen thousands of people
pushed onto the unemployment line through the mass anguish
over cutting trees. Here's a news story for you.. they grow back.
Some of the most beautiful landscape I've seen has been 2nd
growth. Yes, forested hills and mountains are "prettier" than those
logged off, but logging serves a purpose. Accept it and get over it.

[jfoxbox2]

clear cutting - can be good

While I agree that forests are beautiful, clear cutting is very similar to a forest fire which cleans and refreshes. It allows new healthy growth, and if it would burn it would not burn nearly as hot as a forest that has been prevented from burning for hundreds of years. That Scores the earth and there is no life. Clear cutting allows life in the forest to be more natural in either beautiful Washington, or in the dry hills of southern California. Clear cut or burn- forests need to be renewed. PS- I am a teacher, love the outdoors, and no ties to any logging type business.

[dabomd]

things

pls tell me good things about clear cutting