Prairie terrorists

Dear Editor,

Call it what you will, self reliance, survivalism, or just plain county folk. We all can learn from those locals that are fighting terrorism in their own small way.

This last summer a rancher west of McCook told of having three calves killed by rattlers. He didn't ask the government permission or to have meetings, he just got his shotgun and in two Sundays of walking his pasture, killed 23 rattlers. He lost no more calves to rattlers after that. Rattlers are one of the few critters that kill for pleasure and not for food.

Next was a life-long fisherman. He told of being at a lake southeast of here and while in the boat catching fish that were just over the legal 18-inch minimum. An elderly couple drove up in their boat and the woman screams at him "You're breaking the law."

He ignored her, but she informed him the laws at this lake were different and his fish were to small. He smiles and gets out his state game book and darned if the legal length in that lake isn't 19 inches.

He said their boats never got within 40 feet. Who at that range could tell one inch? But the woman saved him thousands of dollars in fines, as he was checked by the G-man leaving the lake.

Last was an 84-year-old woman. She, after the heavy snow, on her own, scooped her whole double driveway and sidewalks herself. Now she didn't do it all at once. She lives alone and drives herself and friend around town. The news is full of mistakes, but never about the people who just "get 'er done."

Bill Donze

McCook