[pct-l] Level playing field

[Will Hiltz]

They are role models by the fact that they have made several increasingly
publicized yo-yos and record attempts.  I can't recall any other PCT hikers
being recently featured in the New York Times, but feel free to correct me
if I'm mistaken.  The record attempt has been discussed here widely and
repeatedly with Scott & Joe's consent.  Whether it was their original
intention or not, the reality is that they ARE now role-models and widely
known in the trail community.  Even if they didn't start with the intention
as such they must come to terms with what they've become.  What is fine for
Scott & Joe to do regarding closures is not fine for the majority of PCT
hikers, nor would we want to be emulating this behavior en masse as a LDH
group.  I think being as well-known as they are they might have thought
about how their decisions would influence others.  Then again, each to his
own (blisteringly fast) hike.


YITOOD,

Easy

On Fri, Aug 8, 2008 at 11:53 AM, <jeff.singewald at comcast.net> wrote:

> Tortoise,
>
> Speak for yourself.  At least one of us on the list doesn't have the same
> opinion as you.  While I have only met Scott and Joe on a couple of
> occasions, I have the feeling that they really don't consider themselves
> heros or role models and are simply hiking the trail the way that they are
> comfortable in doing so.
>
> Why some folks on this list feel that Scott is a hero or a role model is
> beyond me.  Scott (and Tatoo Joe) has different ambitions and does not set
> out to hike the same type of hike that many folks on this list have set out
> to do.  Each and everyone of us make choices in life and we live with those
> choices.  If it were truely black and white and you seem to think, why is it
> that Scott and Joe were not taken off the trail in chains and jailed until
> they paid the $5000.00 fine.
>
> These guys have not asked to be your hero or role model.  I would suggest
> that we not force them into this role.  These guys are really no different
> than many of us.  In many ways they are guys that simply love the trail and
> have chosen life styles that allow them to hike nearly every year.  They
> have given up much in making this choice.
>
> I am sure that Scott and Joe really couldn't care less if you and little
> Miss Peppermint Patty don't recognize their hike for what it truely is, an
> amazing accomplishment.
>
> Elevator
> -------------- Original message --------------
> From: Tortoise <Tortoise73 at charter.net>
>
> > Reinhold old friend,
> >
> > Since when is playing by the rules or a level playing field considered
> > socialism or marxism or communism?
> >
> > In most competitive endeavors, there are rules for the competition and
> > those that get caught violating the rules usually are usually
> disqualified.
> >
> > Scott and Joe's hike may be their personal best. HYOH doesn't mean the
> > rest of us have to approve of the hike or consider the record legitimate.
> >
> > Tortoise
> >
> > <> He who finishes last, wins! <>
> >
> >
> >
> > Reinhold Metzger wrote:
> > > Say Joann,
> > > Why did the others not have the chance to do the same?
> > > Did they post different signs with different instructions for the
> others?
> > >
> > > Besides, this ''level playing field'' sounds to much like Socialism.
> > > Karl Marx was preaching it 100 years ago, they tried it in Russia and
> > > even there the playing field was not level....seems like it was a
> failure
> > > wherever they tried to force it upon people.
> > >
> > > Why do you thing it would be a success in a free society like the good
> old
> > USA.
> > > Free people like to choose for themselves the field they want to play
> on and
> > > what kind of games and at what intensity to play.
> > > Not all people like to play the same game or play at the same intensity
> level.
> > >
> > > I say...''Let Freedom Ring''...let people choose their own playing
> fields and
> > > games and intensity levels.
> > >
> > > Besides, you might not like it, if under socialism, the ''level playing
> > field''
> > > the game and intensity were geared to Scott & Joe's level.
> > > Would you be happy playing the game at their intensity level?
> > >
> > > JMT Reinhold
> > > Fierce defender of individual freedom & HYOH advocate
> > >
> > > -------------------------------------
> > >
> > > JoAnn wrote:
> > >
> > > "what's the problem??" ...Others didn't have the chance to do the same,
> > i.e.,unlevel playing field.
> > >
> > > are we there yet
> > > JoAnn
> > >
> > > ------------------------------
> > >
> > > Andrea wrote
> > >
> > > If they were allowed to continue through the "closed" area with out
> being
> > > fined, arrested or hauled off the trail by the
> authorities.........what's
> > > the problem??
> > >
> > > PCT MOM
> > >
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> > >
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