[at-l] AT Politics And Tact (medium-long)

[rbenhameda@home.com (Rami)]

In a message dated 11/5/014:12 PM Eastern Standard Time, RoksnRoots@aol.com
writes:
 I think this crashes through some valuable, already-won gains for the AT
gotten by this individual..........gains for the Trail? What will replace
what he did (or tried to do)?



Ok, I don't have a history of argument with WF et al. or those who oppose
him so maybe my position is naive, but  I don't see the logical progression
here.  WF's websites go down (for whatever reason) therefore all / any good
he may have done are erased and undone????  Come on, isn't that a bit
dramatic???

In my opinion, which is open to evidence from either side, the only things
that may potentially be lost are the "one stop shop" for journals, help,
etc. available on the website, and the discussion forum which seemed to
generate so much discord.  I find it hard to believe that he will suddenly
stop caring about the trail and abstain from working publicly as an
advocate, but if that IS the case, my suspicion is that someone will be
along soon to take up any vacancy created.  I can think of several places
I've gone to on the net to read trail journals, discuss hiking, gear,
issues, planning, etc.  I don't know WF, but I find it hard to believe that
people will not find everything they need to prepare to hike the trail and
relive their experience when they're finished if he's not running his
websites any longer.

Perhaps I'm just too simplistic, but it's about walking not about typing on
my computer right?  What did thru-hikers do b4 he was born?	What will they
do after he dies?

I don't hold any contempt or feel any disrespect for WF or any of his
supporters (athletic or otherwise :) sorry couldn't help it...) so please
don't mis-read my intent in this post.  I just find it hard to believe that
everyone and the trail will suffer because his websites are down.  I've
never come across a website which I depended so much on that it would cause
me hardship if it were gone.


Thanks for listening (reading),


Rami

One last thought...one of the causes of suffering (Buddhists believe
suffering prevents enlightenment) is desire to become or "bhava-tanha".
This is the ambition that comes with wanting attainments or recognition or
fame. It is the craving to "be a somebody".  The path to enlightenment
requires releasing those things that cause suffering and acceptance.  It
also requires acting in ways which don't cause suffering. Two of those ways
are Right Effort or "samma vayama", and Right Action or "samma kammanta".
It might be that this is a good thing for WF.  If this is causing him
suffering, the best thing for him to do is release the desire to become and
end his suffering.

Ok, I'm done.....


noble path
--------------------------------
- Still round the corner there may wait
a new road or a secret gate;
And though I oft have passed them by,
A day will come at last when I
Shall take the hidden paths that run
West of the Moon, East of the Sun.
-F.B.