Rule number 1 in negotiations...if you send people that cant make a decision to the table, no reason to even sit down.
Herbie either didn't have the stones, or permission from his handlers, to make a decision. He wasted his time and the time of those on the call.
He was trying to bullchit his way into keeping OI to stay in Utah, trying to save face by saying he "tried".
Bottom line is that Herbie is not going to change his position on Utah trying to take federal lands, control federal lands, and ultimately sell them off. The monument is a done deal and really only one small part of the problem.
Herbie is an anti-public lands shill who took the wrong position on this from the get-go along with a vast majority of Utah's representatives. The conversation was not disrespectful at all, by any on the phone. Herbie dug his heals in a long time ago, and sold his soul (if he has one) to the anti-public lands crowd. He gets push back and hangs up the phone...so be it.
Herbie and Company, are finding themselves on an Island, isolated by their own stupidity, and yet guys like dukes_daddy playing the apologist for their wrong-headed approach on public lands.
Hebie gave the OI no options, he wasn't the right guy to have in the negotiation from the get go, he obviously didn't have the authority to negotiate or make a deal. Talking head with nothing to say.
What a cupcake...my first question would have been to ask him if he had the authority to make a decision on the resolution...if not, "negotiation over". Unless the right people are at the table, I don't bother.
My conclusion...that's a classic example of a politician begging for the OIA to stay. One side held all the cards and Herbie was too dumb to know it.
They'll be better off in a State that actually cares about and values public lands.
