Letters to the Editor
Thoughts on sharing
May I 'share" a few observations about 'sharing"?
My perception of sharing is when two or more people are exposed to the same experience. Some examples include riding together in a car, discussing a book, drinking from a spring, eating a meal together, riding in a canoe on the lake, or possibly enjoying the view from a scenic vista.
I have encountered references to 'sharing" which I find to be much different from my perception. One example that comes to mind is when all terrain vehicle enthusiasts readily offer to 'share" trails with me. What I have discovered is that my trail "experience" is drastically different than the "experience" of an ATV user, and therefore falls outside my perception of a 'shared" experience.
Ideally, my trail experience involves a peaceful, quiet, walk or horse back ride along a single treaded trail that provides the opportunity to hear sounds of birds, possibly catch sight of a wild animal, and thoroughly enjoy the panorama of the natural array of trees and flowers along the way.
I have found that when an ATV user attempts to 'share" the same trail, my opportunity to hear bird sounds is diminished, my chance to catch sight of any wild animals is minimal, and the fact that the trail itself has become a wide, two-treaded road detracts from my enjoyment of the natural beauty of the trees and flowers along the way.
I readily agree that there is credible rationale for having places where all terrain vehicle enthusiasts can experience the exhilaration of a powerful machine, but I do not agree that those places should be 'shared" with non-motorized enthusiasts. To me this is not a 'shared" experience.
There are some places that exhibit special, naturally beautiful, characteristics which need to be preserved for future generations. Estes Lake comes to mind. These places should be accessed in ways that leave the least evidence of human presence. If ATV users are truly appreciative of the wonders of nature, why not park their outfits at the trailhead and walk in to view things (A 30-45 minute walk in the case of Estes Lake)? Perhaps if only the disabled used a motorized conveyance to reach special places, the trail leading to them would not be so drastically impacted.
I realize there are those who do not 'share" my perceptions, and therefore will not consider reading this to be a 'sharing" experience, but I sincerely hope that there are others who will 'share" my sentiments with like-minded Montanans who appreciate the experiences found in the natural areas that surround us.
Edd Blackler
Bigfork
Obama's auto plan little more than theft
Barak Obama's gift of GM and Chrysler to his loyal campaign donors, the United Auto Workers, is little more than theft.
To date, Obama has poured 30 billion tax dollars into the auto industry. In an insanely upside down equation, our tax dollars subsidize the affluent life style of a Detroit auto worker. UAW salary is $60,000. Total compensation is $70 per hour. A UAW worker retires at the ancient age of 55. His gold plated medical plan remains by his side to the grave.
I operate a small business. In a "good year" I make $75,000. In a "bad year", I barely feed my dogs. My health insurance is $400 a month and $5,000 deductable. My 'retirement plan" consists of money squirreled away in IRA's. Why am I supporting an overpaid UAW worker?
As an added insult, Obama's UAW scheme is raiding my retirement savings. GM bonds are overwhelmingly held by institutional investors. Most Americans indirectly "own" GM bonds through retirement plans, mutual funds or insurance policies. We are about to get screwed. Obama's plan will force GM bond holders to accept a payout of 10 cents on the dollar. In 'real" bankruptcy, the bond holders, not the UAW, would emerge as the "owners' of GM.
I feel like I went to sleep and woke up in Argentina circa 1973. Obama's UAW takeover of Detroit is a classic third world "nationalization" Juan Peron would be proud of.
Is this the "change" you voted for?
Douglas Smith
Red Lodge