Just doing a little more research on what our friends in Tucson have been up to and happened across this happy little page:

http://www4.gvsu.edu/griffinc/Current%20ev...nts/feedemo.htm

It appears to be from a professor who follows environmental issues and teaches a number of classes on them. He claims to not take sides but a quick read of his writing shows otherwise. Glad I'm not in his class I'd probably get an F for not sharing his opinions.

But check out this quote:

quote:

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Last Thursday, an e-mail was sent out on this list with the story of a woman who refused to pay a fine for failure to pay a fee and had her charges dropped by the federal attorney prosecuting the case.

Immediately after this, a new development emerged where the U.S. Department of Justice in Boise, Idaho dropped the cases of 15 more fee violators. Additionally, the U.S. attorney there refused to hear any more cases invovling violations of the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program.

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So VoR looks like your stance on fighting the system really can work if you're willing to stick to your beliefs.
Of course the best news is a little deeper in:

quote:

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It is now more likely than ever that the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program will end in September of 2001 without a follow-up bill giving permanent authorization.

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The best part is at the very end when someone from "Wild Wilderness" agrees that the Fee Demo program is a mistake and the BLM and FWS should get their money from our taxes not from extra fees.

that is very interesting indeed. they require these "adventure passes" to park in the san berdo natnl forest. i have't gone up there since i refuse to pay to park my vehicle on a public road. maybe this will change some things. its funny, if you look at the earlier updates, this was tried in court for a $5.00 ticket. the defendants all had public defenders, and it states it cost the gov't a significant amount. good find jason.

kevin

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I love the smell of race gas in the morning

[This message has been edited by Kevin (edited 08-20-2001).]

Jason,
I've been trying all week to respond to this. This is some of the best news ever. I wonder if this will affect us. Will the ATM's be REMOVED?

Who is that "Griffin" guy who had the info?

Oh and I hate to say I told ya so but...

hehe

Vor

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May the Dune Gods Smile Upon You
ShiftingDunes.com

I wondered why you took so long to reply

The "Griffin" guy is apparantly a community college professor who teaches a number of ecology biology and environment classes. He's got a fairly interesing website which covers a lot of current events in his fields.

I actually found him by using the Google picture search to find photos of Glamis. He's got a page about the dunes and some of the animals that live there.

I found this info by following some of his links to related topics.
As for the "Told ya so".

Hey I'm for removing the fees and funding the BLM how it should (through our taxes) I just don't have the time or effort to stand up for it in court. I've always supported your position as long as you're willing to go to court and take the consequences (positive or negative) like a man. I wish I had the time and resources to risk having to fight a ticket and I respect you for your willingness to.

I don't support those who don't pay fees and attempt to hide or run from the consequences rather than deal with the situation responsibly.

As for wether or not the BLM has to be funded at all or should have their noses in the place - we've got to fight our battles one at a time and I'm no where near ready to open that can of worms!