Re: [Paddlewise] Why hate all Jetskiers? (Re: Vote in poll on Jet skis)

I don't hate all jetskiers.

I hate jetskis *when they are in places that they should never ever be.*

They do not belong on wilderness rivers.  They do not belong in national
parks.  They do not belong in environmentally sensitive areas.  They do
not belong in areas used by non-powered watercraft.  They do not
belong in areas used by swimmers.

*IF* the PWC industry dramatically reduces the emissions (which consist
of water, air, and sound pollution in amazingly high quantities) *and* makes
safety improvements *and* assists in setting up a mandatory, stringent
licensing program, then I'm willing to tolerate their presence in areas
which are designated as available for the use of PWC.

I'm not holding my breath, however: the PWC lobby seems more intent on
continuing to line its pockets by selling these aquatic crotch rockets
to anyone with the cash and by attempting to make sure that they can
inflict their presence on anyone, anyplace.  They have made it impossible
to be a moderate on this issue by their intransigence and their utter
failure to acknowledge their responsibility as an industry for the problems
caused by their products.

So at this point, I'm annoyed enough with them that I will support any
and all legislation restricting or banning the sale and/or use of PWC
anywhere, anytime.  "They" had their chance to behave responsibly and
blew it (in fact, they continue to blow it), so now it's time to hit them
with tons of regulations -- which is one way our society deals with
irresponsible behavior.

---Rsk
Rich Kulawiec
rsk_at_gsp.org
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