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Letters to the Editor

A GLITCH?

I am a devotee of Inside/Outside and wish to commend you and the staff on a terrific publication for those of us interested in the recreational and educational opportunities our spectacular Four Corners environs present. It is ironic, however, that a publication so in tune with environmental issues held dear by Ed Abbey would publish an ad by New Country displaying the man-made disaster he (and many others of us) revile the most . . . Lake Powell. New Country clearly doesn't grasp the absurdity of superimposing Abbey's quote on the picture, but Inside/Outside should have. - Hart Pierce, Farmington

My very thoughtful wife came home the other night to report she had brought me home a prize. Then she pulled your Abbey Special Issue out of her bag - I was grinning from ear to ear. Then I opened the front page to find the giant photo of Lake Foul featuring the partial quote from Ed for a car and truck dealership. Sweet Lord! Ad revenues keep you afloat, but Ed's Benedictio was to inspire one to get off your duff and search out amazing views on foot. That was a poor choice for a "Tribute Issue." Aside from that glitch, I thank you all for the issue.

- Jamie Gormley, (via email)

Thank you both! We see the conflict but we don't let our editorial or philosophical leanings censor the content of an advertisement. Ad content is not the business of an editorial department. Not ours, anyway. However, when we do notice a potential conflict with ad copy we extend a courtesy to the advertiser by pointing it out. We caught this one too, but too late.

WIDE-OPEN ABBEY

I have been a fan of your publication since day one but never before have I been possessed to read an issue from cover to cover since the Abbey Issue. I was not turned onto Mr. Abbey's works until I moved to Durango in 1996, and soon after I read everything the man wrote, over and over.

Sure, the man left himself wide open for people to disagree with him. And boy, there are some times I could disagree. Ken Wright's review of Postcards from Ed, page 36 to be exact, has a letter where he describes his beloved Utah, a place that contains "Indians and some people." What the hell kind of racist crap is that; since when are Indians not "people"?

However, the guy made me laugh, made me cry, made me live, and most of all made me think. I'm one of many that he has influenced - influenced me to live, to walk, to see, to question, and to just "be" in the place I call home, Abbey Country. I thank him for that. Long Live the Abbeytude! - Bryant Liggett, Hermosa, Colorado

ABBEY CLINCHED IT

Even though I am nearby in Farmington, it is hit or miss if I can find your fun, informative and irreverant magazine. I want to subscribe and need to know if I send a check to the "P.O. Drawer A" address? And thank you in advance for your attention to this.

P.S. I've just read the Edward Abbey issue cover to cover. It is the clincher as to my wish for a subscription . . . it is so good. A great job to all of you. - David Flower, Farmington, NM

Thank you, too! You can find us at more than a dozen distribution points in Farmington, but we're happy to fill your wish for a subscription. At $18 for 8 issues a year, a subscription is a tremendous deal! We're filling Christmas stockings and fulfilling gift wishes across the country that way - even India! Send the check to: Inside/Outside Southwest Magazine, P.O. Drawer A, Durango, CO 81302. Or, if you'd like to talk to a live body first - who can also take a credit card order - call 970-375-4530.