On Tue, 18 Feb 2003 00:00:33 GMT, Larry Caldwell
wrote:

(Alastair McDonald) writes:
"Larry Caldwell" wrote in message

The problem with journalists is that they are too stupid or ignorant
to
say anything intelligent.

The underlying reason the West burns so furiously is simple: Forests
become choked with flammable debris because it's too cold or too dry
for the dead wood and downed trees to rot.

See what I mean?

No! That was said by Arizona State University professor Stephen
Pyne. It was only reported by the Stein, and I have no reason to
believe inaccurately. The sooner you face up to the fact that GW
is happening, then perhaps you will be able to read what is written,
not what your blind prejudice would prefer to see.

Where did the global warming crap come in? The recent catastrophic fires
in the West were not caused by global warming, they were caused by
overcrowded and dying forests. The entire West, except a thin band along
the coast, gets dry enough to burn every year, and always has. The
problem is becoming extreme because the American public despises the land
and refuses to care for it. The vast public holdings in the west are
treated by political spoils by whichever party wins the most recent
election.

Whomever this ASU prof is, he was either misquoted or he is an ignorant
idiot. Whichever the case, the statement is false.

Jesus Murphy! Would you two kindly do a little thinking,
especially about the meaning of cause of effect. The fires were CAUSED
by lightning or a careless camper or god-forbid...a MATCH! Think about
it! Global warming is an effect. It cannot CAUSE anything. In the case
you speak about Larry, the fire load in the forest EXACERBATED the
fires, but it sure as hell did not cause them. Long periods of dry
weather can EXACERBATE the fire situation, Alistair, but it does not
CAUSE the fire in the first place. Fire load and dry weather are
contributing factors to the extent and severity of the fire, but they
are not, EVER, the cause.