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Federal government Quote by William R. Lowry

“As historian Gary Ferguson writes, "while livestock may be the kindling, the real fuel for the burn is that the federal government is behind the project. . . . Westerners couldn't buy a more perfect evil if they rode straight to hell with a saddlebag full of cash." Or, as one stockman said in…” quote by William R. Lowry
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““As historian Gary Ferguson writes, "while livestock may be the kindling, the real fuel for the burn is that the federal government is behind the project. . . . Westerners couldn't buy a more perfect evil if they rode straight to hell with a saddlebag full of cash." Or, as one stockman said in 1989, "It's not so much the wolves we're afraid of, it's the wolf managers.””

William R. Lowry

About This Quote

The passage argues that government involvement fuels harmful projects, likening it to wolves being managed by humans rather than the wolves themselves.

In simple terms: Government can enable destructive actions.

Key Takeaway

Scrutinize state involvement in harmful enterprises.

Themes

environment government exploitation

Mood

concerned analytical

Type

environmental political

When to use this quote

  • resource extraction
  • wildlife management
  • policy making
  • corporate lobbying

Key Concepts

political economy ecology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What role does government play in environmental issues?
  • How can accountability be balanced between state and private actors?
A Different Perspective

It may simplify complex causes to blame only government.

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