For the last few months I have been reading High Country News, a biweekly out of Paonia, Colorado that’s dedicated to protection of the Western environment. Its reporting is serious and solid on complex issues.
I am moved to write about it because of a long article, "Conscientious Objectors," in the issue dated Dec. 20, which reports on government employees who, often at the cost of their jobs, make common cause with allies "on the outside." In telling this story, assistant editor Laura Paskus does a heckuva job of describing how industry and its friends in high places go about subverting laws passed to protect the environment.
Revealing, to say the least. Not always easy to read, though; Bush Administration cynicism can be hard to take. But if the job of reporters is to describe how things work, Ms. Paskus earns her pay. And a bonus.
You can find out more about HCN at hcn.org or call 800-905-1144.