There is a very important election in a few days, and we here at ORC have been more than vocal about what and who we feel are the right choices, not just for us, but for America. We don't portend to know everything, nor do we offer to. What we do know is that Tuesday when you walk into that voting booth, your choice will have a far reaching effect. Not just on our sport, but on our National livelihood, our civil liberties and the political future of this great experiment called "democracy." There is a growing movement in America to turn control of our lives over to the government and strip the constitution. One of the candidates for the office of President represents this movement. If you have studied history, you know this to be a slippery slope, fraught with risk and the inevitable result is revolution and anarchy. To refuse to learn from history dooms you to its repetition. In every governmental model where the power has been held by an elite and autocratic few, the resultant taxation and oppression has caused its ultimate obliteration. Dozens of examples can be quoted, from the Roman Empire to The Soviet Union. Another political candidate wants to return more control to "we the people." He doesn't seek to strip us of our constitutional rights, our right to determine the best use for our own lands, or our ability to protect ourselves, our homes or our families. This candidate wants to empower Americans to make decisions for ourselves. He understands that government's role is to build roads, fight fires, prosecute criminals and organize an armed force to protect its borders from attack, and to otherwise stay the hell away from our daily lives... Of late our aggressive political stance has generated a large amount of mail. Not surprisingly most of you are in support of our opinions and efforts. Some letters are more eloquently phrased than others. But generally the thread is a united one, we see George W. Bush as representing our common interests. There have been many of you that have chided us for being politically skewed to the right. Stating that, "A publication must be neutral in its opinions, and merely report the facts." We do report the facts, and make no apologies if the facts do not back up "your" assertions. As to opinion; I would challenge you to show me a politically neutral publication. We have also received some mail flaming us outright for our political position. Certainly in our democratic republic, all are allowed not only their views but the right to speak and write them. But all of these dissenting opinions I have received share one common and disturbing thread. They speak not of facts, rather they mirror lock-step the liberal propaganda that OHV enthusiasts seek to actively damage the environment, and lay waste to all that is natural and serene. That OHV use will single handedly cause the destruction of all the plants and trees and animals. Below is one such letter...
Dear Andrew, You poor idealistic young lad. It seems you have fallen victim to the Propaganda Mongers who would steal your thoughts, your personal freedoms and perhaps your very soul. When you are all grown up, you will look back on these years and quietly cringe at your sophomoric views that show little understanding of the issues and the workings of the world at large. Sadly you have fallen victim to the leftist "fear speak" dogma of you educators and politicians. You have been ill served by them. As your experience and wisdom grows you will hopefully look at all sides of an issue before making a conclusion. This is the true hallmark of a wise man. Next time check the facts before making statements. First of all, our nations "dwindling" natural lands are in fact growing by leaps and bounds. There are more "protected" lands now than ever before. As to our grandchildren enjoying a clear stream or old growth forest... Under the "Roadless Initiative" no one gets to enjoy anything. Why? They can't get to it, period. Without roads, there is no access. Very few people in our society have the physical stamina for a 100+ mile hike to access these closed lands. Fewer still have the luxury of time to mount an expedition on foot to reach these same resources. In fact many of the lands that are, or will be closed are completely inaccessible by foot. Here in the desert southwest, and where I live in the Mojave Desert, you cannot survive a hike of that duration regardless of your physical condition. You can't carry enough water. To close them to all but this minuscule segment of the population by "Executive Order" is discriminatory and unconstitutional. We all have the right to enjoy our public lands, not just an elite few. In addition, at current rates of growth, wilderness will never be over run by sprawl. We simply aren't multiplying that fast. Or maybe you've never traveled this beautiful country of ours. And seen the vast expanses of untouched real estate that comprises America. Ever been to say, Montana? Dear Andrew, all in this great land of ours is not Silicon Valley. Bush does not want to "destroy" anything. Drilling for oil in Alaska will have little or no effect on the ecosystem. The oil reserves are also much greater than "a few months," again please check your facts before opening your mouth and proving yourself a fool. There is also a very deep philosophical difference between Bush and algore. Algore seeks to create a society of dependency. Of dependency on foreign oil, without our own production capabilities we are at OPEC's financial whim. There are other positions he (algore) has which will foster dependency. Through his medical and social security plans you will be dependent on the federal government for all aspects of your healthcare and retirement benefits. Through his plan to control guns, you will be stripped of your ability to defend yourself. Forcing us to rely on the police. In the end this can ONLY result in an increase in the size, range and scope of police activities, "to protect us." Ultimately this will of course result in a police state. You see the criminals will always have guns. Ask a Jew that survived the Auschwitz, Trablinka or Dakow death camps if they should have surrendered their weapons to the government... I would suggest you spend your time in more worthwhile pursuits, such as attending history classes. There you will acquire wisdom my young friend. The wisdom to make your own decisions, the wisdom to check your facts before speaking, and the wisdom to realize that millions of brave Americans have given their lives to provide you with the freedoms that the likes of algore are all too willing to take away from you. And that sadly many youngsters like yourself are all too willing to surrender. "Some fun destroying wetlands and forests on our SUVs and ATVs..." you say? Again you have no grasp of the facts. I would offer that you have zero understanding of what actually occurs at an OHV Area or you would never make such a ludicrous statement. In fact OHV organizations and enthusiasts do more to protect the environment and the land than anyone else. For the simple reason that we are the ones that use these resources. Unlike the liberal extremists you have joined with lock-step, we are not motivated by political power and the acquisition of organizational wealth like the Sierra Club, Earth First, etc. We care deeply and profoundly not just about our families future, but about your future as well. To suggest otherwise is insolent, arrogant and foolish. You Andrew, are a sophomoric child, still wet behind the ears, and thinking you know and understand a great deal more than you do. At this point in your life you have no concept of what will effect your families future. You have nothing but idealistic views that have been spoon fed to you buy those that would seek to become more powerful at your expense. You have little or no real life experience. If you think your college educators have a clue as to what happens outside the safe little world of the University of Wisconsin, you give them far too much credit. Remember this valuable axiom; Those that can, do... Those that can't, teach. I advise you to follow the teachings of great men, not demagogues like algore. Take a few moments and read some of the writings of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and the other brave men that sacrificed their lives to give you the freedom to elect your representatives, the freedom to defend your home, and the freedom to use your own lands as you see fit. This is a very important election, perhaps the most important I will see in my lifetime. The choices are all too clear. When you step into the voting booth, I urge you to think carefully... Is a bigger and more powerful government really in our best interest, and what you really want? See you at the polls! For Mr Dune's Special Edition November column Click Here A note from the Editor… This is my forum, not yours! If you don't like my views or opinions, then get a life!... The views and/or opinions expressed herein
are not always the opinions of Off-Road.com or it's parent company
Advanstar Communications, Inc. E-mail Mr Dune at: mrdune@off-road.com for instructions on finding a life. Please be sure to check out Off-Road.com's Land Use
Section, PREVIOUS ARTICLES Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/OffRoadDotCom
| Enewsletters
Stay on Top of All the Action: |
