Re: [Paddlewise] WE DO HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HERE!

Geo. Bergeron wrote:

>  We *DO NOT* have some "right" to be here --regardless of what you
> see on the Jeep SUV ads on television.

> We CANNOT move through an area without having an impact. We DO NOT
> have some intrinsic right to invade habitat. One may think one's paddling is
> stealthy and careful, but that attitude is demonstrative of the arrogant
> mindlessness of those "caring" types who don't think they're having an
> impact on the ecology.
>
>         NO. . . it's not an oil spill, strip mining, hydro-electric dams, or
> whaling. But kayaking is hardly habitat friendly or ecologically
> nurturing.                                   Getting past this denial is a
> first step toward recovery.

>  Excuse me if this sounds like a flame. It's meant to sound like a
> nuclear warhead. "Ecotourism" is a god-damned oxymoron.
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Well now you've done it.
>
> Actually George, if you are  really consistent with your position
> and really believe we have no right to be here, then best
> consider                                                      living under a
> rock at the bottom of the ocean
> somewhere,                                                      because that
> is the only place you won't disturb habitat (and even then...)

> In all seriousness, I think you are misusing the concept of
> rights (a touchy subject for me!). Of COURSE we have a right
> to be here! Unfortunately, government intrusion severs cause
> and effect because it opens up the "closed loop" of paying
> the consequences for our actions.
>
> Yes, we disturb animals when we paddle amongst them. But
> that does not remove our right to be on this planet!

> If it does, bring on the gas chambers and fire up the ovens -
> you have got 5 billion customers.
>
> Those who are the direct owners of something use it the most
> wisely, hence laissez-faire capitalism is the best solution
> to the ecological problems we face (just as it is the best
> solution to all other problems!). Those who argue against
> laissez-faire cannot present examples of pure capitalist
> abuses of the environment since laissez-faire has never been
> practiced - gov't has always interfered in some way.
> Conversely though, there are loads of examples of how
> resources are destroyed and squandered when they are owned
> by governments! (Forests, rivers and lakes, oceans,
> rangelands in the last century etc.)
>
> If governments didn't own oceans but individuals and
> corporations did, don't you think there would be more
> concern for their wise use? The same "greed" that would
> otherwise want to destroy these resources (and which does
> destroy them when the "consequences loop" is
> unclosed                                                         due to gov't
> intervention) would also want to PRESERVE them
> for                                            *future* profit because the
> same "greedy" ones are left
> with                                                              the losses
> when the resource is squandered. Simple,
> obvious,                                                      easy.

> Governments allow one group to abuse a
> resource                                                  because a different
> group will pay the consequences.

> It would simply be a matter of economics, as it should be,
> not politics or "morality" or some pagan spiritualistic
> animism (gaia), (although they too would be allowed to buy up
> chunks of land and lakes and preserve them for their
> particular uses if they wanted). I submit that this is the
> only sane answer to the problems of overcrowding etc.
>
> Even then, many ecosystems may be "doomed" as mankind
> continues to spread. I don't like it either, but that still
> doesn't give me the right or you the right to prevent
> others                                                            from using
> their property as they see fit.

> For example, I think there are enough people interested in
> conservation to buy the entire West Coast Trail in order to
> preserve it in a wild state. And while we're at it, we could
> buy extra land that could be logged (tree-farmed wisely) in
> order to allow preservation of the old growth etc. etc.
> Remember, gov't owns 75% of BC and 86% of Nevada
> etc.                                                   No wonder stuff is
> being squandered!

It is the B.C. Government that is in collusion with the logging
companies.Otherwise the will of the people would be evoked and large tracts of
prime untouched forest would be protected (especially off the Queen
Charlotte Islands where the white bear lives). Goverments are owned
by corporations and vested money interests, and serve them first
and pay the people but lip service. And by the way there is government
sanctioned logging going on within the West Coast Trail again! I saw
it last year with my own eyes. Mining and blasting going on near
Adrenaline creek also. This stuff is having more impact than some
gentle kayaker or even a fifteen kayakers who seeks the solace of
quiet beauty. You want to screw tourism, tell the world what they
are doing to the WCT and the Europeans will stop coming. Oh
what will government do then. Spend more money?

Nesting habitat has been resricted on Alberta mountain rivers near
Jasper Alberta because it has been determined that white water rafting
is having an impact on the breeding of certain wood duck species. If things
are out of control then events will and should occur to correct
the harm.

> I better quit now. I'm starting to sound like you George. I
> respect                                                    your feelings but
> not your logic my friend.

> Anyway, FREEDOM IS ALWAYS THE ANSWER.
>
> Best Regards,

Wylie Coyote
Edmonton, Alberta

>



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