MICHAEL SILVIUS <M.Silvius_at_worldnet.att.net> wrote: > If some one chooses to engage in risky behavior for the sake satisfying > some > personal ego trip about being more extreme than the next, I say let them > figure out how to get out of the bind they got themselves in to on their > own. The trick here is in how we decide what is "risky behavior." When an SUV headed for a day of fun on the ski slopes slides off an icy road, trapping a family of four down a steep slope, we do not begrudge funding the rescue of those unlucky souls nor begrudge the risk to rescue personnel paid to extract them ... even though driving in those conditions is certainly "risky behavior." That's because the behavior fits a profile we have accepted as part of "normal" living. Granted, now and then (at least in Oregon), driving conditions become so hazardous that mountain roads are closed to vehicular traffic ... and then perhaps Michael's description may fit the behavior of the family of four. But, woe be to any "authority" who presents a bill to that family for rescue. The public outcry would be horrendous! In contrast, woe be to the poor soul who attempts something outside the norm, though perhaps no more risky by some objective measure ... be it a world standard climber tackling a hard route on Mt. Hood, or crazy Doug Lloyd scooting across the Columbia River Bar. Rescue? Make them pay for it! I bet our perception ("our" referring to the larger society, not just Paddlewisers) of which is the unreasonable risk-taker has more to do with the extent to which we identify with the unfortunates needing a rescue, and less to do with the objective degree of risk. I agree with Michael's other point that much of the intent of USCG SAR funding is directed toward maintaining capability for serving the needs of commercial vessels. Even so, where I live, I suspect the bulk of that funding ends up being used for saving yardbirds of the pleasure boater stripe who run aground, lose an engine, get lost, can't find their way home in the fog, etc. Not to mention casual tourists who get stuck on local sea cliffs. Do I sound cranky? I might be cranky. Oh, well. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Dec 01 2004 - 02:47:57 PST
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