[pct-l] Alternative Letter to BLM re Golden Oak Springs

Fri Apr 13 09:29:55 CDT 2007

CAVEAT: What follows is my attempt at a humorous and (il)logical extension of Jon's response:

We should all save this text for future use. Just think - we can easily reword it to address others who, in our opinion, expect a handout from the government - i.e. New Orleans hurricane victims who didn't have home owner's insurance with flood coverage or emergency supplies to carry them through the aftermath, those without the means to hire their own lawyer to defend them in criminal prosecutions, to put food on the table, etc. etc.

Shame on these folks who don't take responsibility for themselves and their families. Of course it is irrational to expect the rest of us to give a hoot, let alone some of our resources wrestled from the world by the honest sweat of our brows and labor of our hands. As Scrooge said, "Better they should die and reduce the surplus population" (or words to that effect).

What a crock!

Wandering Bob

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jon Danniken 
  To: PCT-L 
  Cc: suzanne PCTA wilson 
  Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 8:34 PM
  Subject: [pct-l] Alternative Letter to BLM re Golden Oak Springs

  I'm pasting a couple of letters here addressed to two people with the BLM in 
  Bakersfield because there are a small number of people who are expecting a 
  handout on the trail.  That they expect the government to help them in their 
  sport is over the line, and if beyond the scope of common sense.

  There are two letters here so please scroll down.

  Please pass it on to other groups and concerned citizens.

  Patricia Gradek - Field Office manager

  USDI - Bureau of Land Management

  3801 Pegasus Dr.

  Bakersfield, CA  93308

  661-391-6131

  Dear Ms. Gradek,

  I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that hiking the Pacific 
  Crest Trail is not a mandatory activity for those who partake it.  As such, 
  it is incumbent upon each individual hiker to prepare herself for the 
  challenges which it presents.

  As concerns the government providing and maintaining water sources for 
  hikers, this would a terrible waste of our tax dollars.  Additionally, it 
  would rob the hikers of the very experience which they seek on the trail, 
  namely, to endeavor upon a self-sufficient voluntary trek across the Western 
  United States.

  A few hikers, unfortunately, see this issue differently, and will be issuing 
  correspondance to your office pleading with you to provide them with water 
  sources, and to maintain same.

  I, as well as many other individuals, do not feel that it is the 
  responsibility of the government to compensate for unprepared hikers.  Your 
  office is no more responsible to maintain water souces along the PCT as it 
  is to maintain the PCT to be free from snow and ice, a position which I am 
  certain that your constituents would agree with.

  I urge you to resist their dire pleadings, in favor of reminding yourself 
  the common sense that those who hike this trail do so on their own volition, 
  and as such, have no right, despite their own inability to provide for their 
  own recreational needs, to become dependant upon tax dollars provided by 
  hardworking Americans.

  Additionally, it deserves to be said that the majority of PCT hikers do not 
  need, nor appreciate a handout, and are fully equipped to deal with the 
  uncertainties of the trail, including dry springs.

  Sincerely,

  -----------  Next Letter  -----------------------------

  Diane Simpson - Outdoor Recreation Planner

  Bureau of Land Management

  3801 Pegasus Dr.

  Bakersfield, CA  93308

  661-391-6120

  Dear Ms. Simpson,