Re: [Paddlewise] Portland Peace Paddle (addendum)

----- Original Message -----
From: <Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com

> "Politics of any kind?"  Does that mean no more posts about Personal
> Watercraft  laws, State Kayak registration laws, National Park Service
> fees, Leave No Trace laws, PFD requirements and a host of other things
> we discuss on a very regular basis?  Are those not Political issues too?

These are regulatory issues that affect us directly as paddlers.  So
therefore definitely are fodder for writing petitions, encouraging email
campaigns and paddle-ins, etc.  On some of these you would get some argument
or differences in points of view.  For instance some people would want NPS
fees, others not.  But they are not world scale issues like abortion and
right to life where very heavy battlelines have been drawn and people on
this list likely are strongly in favor of one or the other.  The point is
why spill these over into PaddleWise or announce trips that are just an
excuse to promote a position on one of these world scale issues.
>
> And, it's not just the Government that is "political".  How about the
> whole Sponsoons thing - was that not political?  What about Outfitters
> and their responsibilities or lack of it in sending new boaters out with
> all the proper gear and/or training - isn't that political? There is no
> shortage of "political" on Paddlewise - the list goes on, but I won't
> attempt to list them all.

Again, very paddle centered.  They are political in that they involve
policy.

>
> If there was "no political", would Paddlewise survive on just the
> "other" topics? I don't know, and I don't care to find out.   So, where
> do you draw the line?  The litmus test that Kirk chose to use was
> whether or not it involved actual paddling.  I'll be darned if I can
> think of a better litmus test than that - at least for a Paddling
> discussion forum.

The Portland Peace paddle is not a paddle trip.  It is a protest that
happens to be in boats.  People who march for peace or for right to life are
not taking a walk...they are walking to protest.  Those issues are
contentious ones with divisive potential to get people fuming on one side or
the other.

>
> Mind you, I'm not saying we all have to agree with each political post
> (thank you vets, for giving me that privilege), and many topics will
> certainly stir up quite a debate on this forum.  But, if it involves
> paddling, how can it be taboo for Paddlewise?  Unpleasant or distasteful
> at times - yes.  Angering and upsetting at times - yes.   Taboo and off
> limits - no.

My feeling is that if it is a policy issue involving kayaking like jet
skiis, responsibility of paddle shops, etc. then certainly it fits in here.
Other stuff is iffy.  BUT people are certainly free to vent what they want
to talk about or solicit/march/petition/paddle about.  My only concern is it
wise and should we being doing it here on PaddleWise.

best,

ralph diaz
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************