Letter to the Editor on Mora County Court decision

The following is a Letter to the Editor from decorahnews.comreader Jim Tripp of Decorah:

"Judge Browning did not "completely side" with SWEPI LP as decorahnews.comreported on January 26^th (http://www.decorahnews.com/archived-stories/2015/01/9972.html),but enough so that he found it necessary to strike down the ordinance entirely.This is a sad day for democracy, because it reinforces the idea thatcorporations have more say over what happens in a community than the people whoactually live there.

decorahnews.com could have included a couple important points regarding thiscourt decision. First, that any struggle from oppression loses some battles inthe courts, but eventually prevails (e.g. women's rights). Second, that a bigpart of Judge Browning's decision to overrule Mora's ordinance is notapplicable here in Winneshiek County, because there is currently no conflicting state lawregarding silica sand extraction. Third, that Mora County and the defendant-intervenors will likely appeal thisdecision and continue to fight.

Oftentimes justice is simple. Paid-for politicians and corporate lawyers takethat simplicity and tie a thousand knots in it."