[at-l] AHS was Bush opens forest roads

[lorac4491 at linkamerica.net (Coosa Donaldson)]

You know, the hiking community and the tourons have always balked at the idea of "hiking licenses" but when you advertise it that it can be a lobbying group for the wilderness, you may get some takers.

Why should loggers have their lobby and trekkers NOT?  Yes, we have the AHS, of which I have been a member in the past.  It helps some, but needs more money and a larger membership base to help more.  So, what if WE all HERE who are not members, all join at one time?  Let's say that by the end of October, everyone on this list sports the AHS footprint logo on his/her car?  Would that be a good idea? 

POLITICAL CLOUT is exactly what we need.  What would have happened if the hiking community could have lobbied against James Watt??????????  Not just the "societies" but like the NRA lobbies against gun laws?  Congress KNOWS there are a million (or nearly so) VOTING NRA members.  But what about You'nMe?  What about the teenagers who hike who can't vote?  What about the Moms and Pops who take the kids for a short (quarter to half mile) hike on the AT and then never give a thought about protecting that small piece of trail.

THERE IN may lie the crux of the problem, though.  Would you ticket MomNPop for being on the AT with their 3 kids when they only hiked a quarter mile?

SO, now what?????????  Shall we all join the AHS and get politically serious?

IF Bush wins or even IF Kerry wins, we don't have any more voice after the election as we have right at this minute.  So, I propose that WE do something positive about it.

Lemme find that AHS website!

Coosa Donaldson
< "In essentials, unity; in doubtful matters,
liberty;  in all things, charity." >
Casey&Crockett Donaldson
Shop Local, Shop Often
Blairsville, Georgia, USofA

----- Original Message -----
From: Bror8588@aol.com
> 
> Coosa wrote
> > IS IT A LOSING BATTLE?  > 

>> Skylander wrote:
> Another thought (some may balk at this).  The various states issue Hunting 
> and Fishing Licenses and the holders of those licenses have some clout with 
> State governments through the clubs or groups to which they belong.  What if there 
> were Hiking Licenses?  (What?  You mean a license to walk in the woods?  Are 
> you crazy?).  
>