I Whine Therefore I’m Right

September 17, 2006 — skyblu

The need to fully express my point of view is only exceeded by my unwillingness to change my mind in the face of facts.

As Fall brings a hint of Winter, so too does the blogsphere anticipate argument. I’ve noticed that the polemics of the snowmobile argument are seldom in touch with reality. They preach to the choir and call it good.

Some believe that they are making a rational argument while they are just presenting an ignorant prejudice. One blog wants to ban snowmobiles because some riders break the law – hell tourists of all stripes have law breakers among them – even visiting Park Rangers & Law Enforcement personnel.

One blog believes that putting skis on your feet makes you more holy than not having skis on your feet. The same blog is so closed minded that it refuses to address facts: skiers and snowshoers do more damage to Yellowstone’s fragile winter landscape than do snowmobiles. They walk across algae pools, side streams, geyser cones, and bacterial mats. They believe that it’s safe and legal because they have something on their feet.

They have rested so many of their skis against the geyser cone of Lone Star Geyser, (while posing for pictures,) that there are “Ski Notches” in the deposit. I’ve even herd ski guides chuckle about it and say that the formation was made by god just for that purpose.

The research for a Yellowstone winter transportation page is about done. It will be posted soon. It will be developed in the open so you can watch it’s progress and comment on the text and content. In the meantime: Its your love of the parks and your appreciation of one-another’s point of view that will solve the winter transportation problems in Yellowstone National Park. It’s certainly not your love of how you get around or your defense of outmoded and dangerous Bombardier Snow Coaches.

As snowmobiles get cleaner the arguments will get louder and more spurious. The basis of the disagreement is not so much the machine as it is a rant against motorized travel in winter. The folks who bicycle in summer have not tried to get rid of motorcycles – rather they are ranting against buses.

Posted in Backpacking & Day Hiking, Hiking, National Park Service, Politics, Skiing, Snowmobiling, Winter, Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park. Leave a Comment »
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