Letter From the Desert: Lying about Joshua Trees

Local politicians love Joshua trees except when the trees might get slightly in the way of making money.

Energy development is just one of the threats to Joshua trees. Yucca Valley officials are another.

More than a few people have forwarded me recent complaints by elected representatives that urge their constituents to oppose protecting Joshua trees. They generally ask what I make of the objections.

What I make of the objections is that they are roundly mi…