by William (Bill) Campbell, Conner
SHOULD HAVE, COULD HAVE, WOULD HAVE
All speculative terms. All dependent on the unknown.
All reflecting some form of regret. All wishing they could do it over again.
If only I had known. Why didn’t I know? Why didn’t they tell me?
Why didn’t you look? Why didn’t you listen? Why didn’t you learn? Why didn’t you? When you heard the words, why didn’t you get the message? When you heard the words, why didn’t you ask questions?
Complex questions with a simple answer.
BECAUSE YOU WANTED SOMEONE TO DO IT FOR YOU.
Your water is unsafe to drink. Imagine that. Your employer went out of business. Imagine that. You are subjected to radioactive dust. Imagine that. You cannot find employment. Imagine that. Your finances have been destroyed. Imagine that.
These are a few of the highly probable facts that the proposed Sheep Creek Mining operation offers you.
IMAGINE THAT.
Kevin says
JOBS?? Lost thousands in the Bitterroot over EPA and Carter/Clinton policies, why stop now??
Bob Spitzer says
You are right that nearly the entire letter is vague, Bob. Only in the final sentence does he identify the proposed Sheep Creek mining operation. Until then, the reader is left wondering what his string of accusations is about.
I would answer it this way:
**WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO IMAGINE?**
Mr. Campbell’s letter lists unsafe water, radioactive dust, unemployment and financial ruin, but offers no evidence or explanation. Only in the final sentence does he mention the proposed Sheep Creek mining operation.
The Bitterroot deserves a serious discussion about Sheep Creek. That discussion should include facts, studies and clearly explained risks—not vague warnings followed by “Imagine that.”
If there is evidence supporting these claims, please present it. Readers should not be expected to imagine the facts.
**Bob Spitzer**
**Stevensville**