Is a boycott of Bridge Day a good idea?

[guest]

[gowaylow]

You forgot the real reason to boycott.

too many skydivers!!!!

if you have two parachutes in one container you are wrong.



have a Go Way Low day

[guest]

So, Junior...Tell us all exactly HOW the NPS benefits from Bridge day. Really, I'm dying to know!&-)

[guest]

Primarily through using BD as a convenient example of their even-handed treatment of those crazy base jumpers. With an uneducated public, this could muddy the waters and take the focus away from the larger issue of reasonable access to public land.

Secondly, the NPS, through its severely restricted permit "system" has created an attraction that now involves the local economy to a great extent. This is a great PR opportunity and, since they are the ones issuing the permit, they are likely to be able to count on a loyal constituency in the form of local vendors, etc. to behave themselves and protect their base jumping monopoly.

Third, by using BD as a face saving measure, the NPS has been able to avoid a public explanation of their discriminatory policies, a potential source of embarrassment.

Fourth, one could speculate, is the steady trade in personal favors and benefits that flow so freely in most exclusionary permit situations like this. Take a look at the wining and dining that goes on when it is time to review a ski areas operating permit. Do you really believe that a few lunches, etc., etc. are a big part of keeping BD the personal fiefdom of one man?

Need more reasons?

[guest]

So far, you lose , Scumbag.

[guest]

A pretty large minority were willing to pass on BD to make a point.

Let that be a reminder to the rascals in charge that they can only push so far...

[guest]

So you think the NPS will be intimidated by a handful of BASE jumpers that may not want to participate, get real. Robin, are you going to straighten this guy out?

[guest]

You are indeed a NRGB yahoo.

No, you pathetic little dipstick who asks a wanker like Robin to fight his fights...

The NPS will only be intimidated by a focused, organized and well implemented civil protest of their unjust policies using the only nationally (by the public) recognized base event to make the point as publicly as possible.

If you look to the history of India, or to the US civil rights movement, etc., you can see the efficacy of non-violent protest. When Ghandi went to the sea to unlawfully gather salt (a monopoly jealously guarded by the British) do you think they were intimidated by a skinny dude in a loincloth and robe? They were fearful of the reaction, both domestic and international, to his eloquent act of defiance. It is this example that we can emulate and benefit from.

[imported_Tom Aiello]

No, Bridge Day is the greatest PR opportunity ever presented to the BASE community.

Not, "no, yahoo, I just wanna jump and don't care."

But "No, boycotting Bridge Day will not further the cause of legal BASE access to NPS owned sites."

Bridge day, properly used, could be our greatest weapon against the NPS in the battle for legal access. Why disarm ourselves?

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@ucdavis.edu

P.S. I did enjoy the obvious slant in the presentation of your poll, though. Learning quite a bit from BASE 44, are we?

[guest]

No, actually I was emulating the polling antics of our esteemed political leaders, pundits and journalists who make the venom on this board seem like sweet, soft music.