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NPS & Moral Bankruptcy---slightly OT

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AK1 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AK1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: NPS & Moral Bankruptcy---slightly OT
    Posted: 08 October 2013 at 16:34
There are a couple of sayings that come to mind.

"Stupid is as stupid does."

"Can't see the forest for the trees"

Unfortunately, it isn't just an issue in the US.

Basically, what we have here on a global scale is a complete lack of "common sense". letter of the law vs spirit of the law comes to mind.
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Effigy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Effigy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 October 2013 at 16:14
Wow.
I have to say, as an outsider - America does appear somewhat a weird at times. That said - our little rural community has recently been assimilated into the greater Auckland 'supercity' apparently for our own good.
Council have just spent $3 million on a footpath and foot bridge - from nowhere to nowhere - simply because the bridge falls within the area that is too close to the school for the school bus to stop (the bus can only pick up children who live more than 2.5km away from the school). Now children can safely cross the stream on a foot bridge as opposed to the old one-lane road bridge, and walk about 50m on a lovely foot path to a 'T' intersection after which the rest of the journey to school as a pedestrian, is back on the side of the road, (in fact, technically, they should cross the road to be on the correct side for pedestrians, before crossing back to continue up School Rd which is also without footpaths.)
a) why not just widen the existing road bridge? (since they were so determined to build a bridge)
b) why not just let the 2 children involved use the bus?

$3 million of ratepayers' money! To fix a situation that didn't need fixing.

Yep, our politicians do learn their stuff from the USA.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TasunkaWitko Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 October 2013 at 09:05
Aye, Brook - lots of craziness these days, and plenty of blame to go around.
 
Hopefully our so-called "leaders" can keep the future of this country in mind in-between the political games they play.....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HistoricFoodie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 October 2013 at 07:48
Ever since the Yellowstone Fires, late last century, I’ve stated more than once that the National Park Service---or at least the folks at the top who make the decisions---is morally bankrupt. And ever since I’ve come under fire for daring to take such a position.

Well, the latest instance proves my point beyond doubt. Case in point: Claude Moore Colonial Farm.

If you’re not familiar with it, Claude Moore is a site that preserves the agricultural practices of the 18th century. It’s primary claim to fame is growing tobacco, using the variety that created the American tobacco industry, and the same tools, techniques, and methods used in the 18th century. It also does the same, on a lesser scale, for vegetable and field crops.

In short, Claude Moore is a bastion of maintaining historical and heirloom plants and livestock.

Back in the 1980s, for reasons never made sufficiently clear, NPS decided to close the farm. A group of interested citizens got together to preserve it. After long negotiations a deal was worked out. Basics of the contract are that, while NPS retains ownership, it contributes nothing in the way of resources or manpower to the operation of this important national site. NPS would provide police service, as necessary. Other than that, the farm has to be self- sufficient.

Not only has it supported itself in all these years since, it doesn’t call on NPS for police service, because the county force handles those chores as needed.

I take that back. Right now there are armed guards surrounding Claude Moore to assure that no visitors, nor most of the staff, are allowed on the property. The avowed reason: The government shutdown.
Got the picture? There’s no money to provide staff services at national parks that are actually run by NPS. But there’s a budget for this gestapo-like activity.

This past week alone Claude Moore has lost more than $15,000 in revenue, due to lost admissions and the fact a major special event by the local Chamber of Commerce had to be cancelled.

One of the ironies is that many of the volunteers at Claude Moore are NPS employees. Because they’ve been furloughed from their regular jobs (maybe they should transfer to the enforcement department!), and have the time, quite a few of them have offered to volunteer full time. But they can’t, because the only people allowed on the property are the volunteers who care for the animals.

There are other instances of this bureaucratic lunacy. Mount Vernon was closed for a day, despite it being privately operated, because it’s parking lots are on national park property. But, as gardeners and heirlooms enthusiasts, the probably illegal closing of Clause Moore touches us directly.

It would be a real shame to lose this important site because the powers that be at NPS are more concerned with political expediency than with doing what’s morally right.

Folks, if this doesn’t incense you, you need to wake up to how far the government has moved away from serving the people. Next thing you know, your own home gardens will be subject to arbitrary government action, and some inspector (likely earning more than you do) is going to tell you what you can and cannot grow.

Where is Tom Jefferson now that we need him!

Brook
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