A civics lesson in Malta

Bob Abbey, the national director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, asked for a round of applause for a special group he identified during a meeting in Malta Thursday to discuss concerns about the possible creation of a national monument.

"How many students are getting extra credit for attending tonight?" he asked the near-capacity crowd at the Malta High School gymnasium, to a round of laughter.

He complimented the student's teachers for giving the extra credit for coming to the meeting.

"This is what democracy is all about," Abbey said. "This is what America is all about, to have an open dialogue, so we can hear from each other to find what's best for the management of these lands."

Bob Abbey, the national director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, asked for a round of applause for a special group he identified during a meeting in Malta Thursday to discuss concerns about the possible creation of a national monument.

"How many students are getting extra credit for attending tonight?" he asked the near-capacity crowd at the Malta High School gymnasium, to a round of laughter.

He complimented the student's teachers for giving the extra credit for coming to the meeting.

"This is what democracy is all about," Abbey said. "This is what America is all about, to have an open dialogue, so we can hear from each other to find what's best for the management of these lands."