This is in response to the thoughtful guest column by Larry Tradlener (Feb. 19).

There are many issues he raises that I don’t agree with, and some I agree with for different reasons than he proposes. But the humanity and generosity with which he presents his case are quite remarkable in contrast to other views that have been put forward.

Most of us dislike Sen. Campbell’s bill 2034 to establish the Canyons of the Ancients National Conser-vation Area in one way or another, but it’s better than any of other options presented us. My particular reason for this choice is that I believe we have a pretty square-shooting BLM office in Durango that needs a big boost its funds to keep archaeological sites protected along with the many other functions it must perform in a very huge area. Campbell’s bill will provide some much-needed money.

I too am angry that so little attention was paid to the local advisory committee who worked to make area concerns known to Secretary Babbitt, Sen. Campbell and Rep. McInnis. If I had my druthers, I’d ask that this land continue to be administered by BLM, but with enough funding to make good stewardship possible. Realistically, I know that won’t happen.

I do support a good many environmental causes, so Mr. Tradlener and I don’t exactly have the same concerns, but I believe that we can each effectively work toward a community dialogue that will forgo any acrimony we might have in order to make this government action as harmless to our own interests as possible.

Our democratic system, flawed as it is, has given us the freedom to speak our minds for 225 years. I wouldn’t trade this political system for any other, because we’ve managed to stumble along with less intractable disagreements than any other nation. Threats of violent reprisal don’t produce anything but anger, and anger produces a climate in which nothing can be resolved. We’d all be much better served to put our energies toward making whatever our elected politicians decide as palatable as we possibly can.

Involvement in the democratic process is the only way — by negotiation from our various positions we can define the actions that can best serve us all. Patience and compromise are hard to maintain, but staying active and watchful and open to discussion is what will give we locals power and respect.