Re: [Paddlewise] Portland Peace Paddle (addendum)

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

> Steve, though we've never met face-to-face, I read your posts and have
> only respect for you (can you hear the sucking up noise?), so please
> keep that in mind when I say that I'm suddenly compelled to say "Whoa,
> what just a minute".  So... Whoa, wait just a minute.
>
> "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?
>
> And, it's not just the Government that is "political".  How about the
> whole Sponsoons thing - was that not political?............

Rick,

It's time for me to suck up a little too. ;-) I have also read your posts
and respect both you and your opinions. I disagree with your examples of
political though. I think Ralph Diaz' post gives us the correct definition
of what we should avoid.
     "One crosses the line into _political_ issues when people of good
conscious
     may differ and differ strongly and when the paddle is to promote one
side or
     the other.  Abortion vs. right to life is one to come to mind.  Protest
to
     stop government action such as waging war vs. supporting such action is
one
     currently on the table.  Feelings run real strongly on both sides of
such
     issues."

If it hadn't been for the way Timmy went off the deep end about the
spons**ns, it would have been a legitimate topic of conversation. The post
about the Peace Paddle, IMHO was about a political event and the paddling
was incidental to it. That type of thing (either pro or con attacking Iraq)
should be left to other forums.

Wearing of PFD's, outfitters who don't tell people about the risks or
required gear, registration laws--those are all good topics to discuss.

My views on this whole mess are the same as my views about Vietnam Vets.
Let's support the men and women in uniform and talk to your congressmen and
senators concerning your political views. My representatives have been
informed as to my views--the Paddlewise community has not, because frankly
my political views are mine and don't have a thing to do with paddling.

Hoping to meet you in person some day,

Steve
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