Commentary: For opponents of Utah monuments, it’s not about the facts

I just returned from my annual May pilgrimage to southern Utah. This year I spent a glorious week each in Grand Staircase-Escalante and in Bears Ears national monuments. The slickrock, slot canyons, cliffside ruins and spring wildflowers were as extraordinary as ever.I’ve been visiting the area for more than 30 years now as a tourist, explorer, researcher and college field-trip leader. Never have I seen so many people at visitor centers, overlooks, trailheads, vying for camping spots and i