Why Republicans suck

I'm going to venture off this blog to rant a little about guns in National Parks. I oppose it, as I've stated numerous times here. It's an unnecessary law endangering millions of visitors, including many foreign visitors, to our national parks for the pleasure of a few who want to carry a gun in a national park.

It doesn't matter that you can't unholster it and especially use it, so it's simply a show of your view on guns. Ok, but why show people how insensitive and inconsiderate you are by carrying one? It's not about the rights of the individual, as you assert, it's about the safety and security of the rest of us from potential harm using your weapon.

I wrote Senators Cantwell and Murray to introduce, or if not that sponsor or support, any amendment to repeal this law and reinstate the old regulations. The former hasn't responded but the latter did. Senator Murray, or her office, sent a response summarizing the history of this law.

She wrote:

"The Senate recently debated H.R. 627, the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009, legislation which provides new and necessary regulations to protect families from predatory and deceptive credit card practices."

"During consideration of the Credit CARD Act, Senator Coburn (R-OK) offered an amendment that would allow loaded weapons in any national park or wildlife refuge. Since I share your concern about this provision, I voted against it, but nonetheless the amendment was agreed to by a vote of 67-29. However, because the Credit CARD Act was so desperately needed to address a number of issues, I felt that it was important to implement this legislation despite the unfavorable amendment. As a result, I voted in favor of H.R. 627, which passed in the Senate on May 19, 2009 and was signed into law by President Obama on May 22, 2009."

Furthermore she said she would seriously consider voting for the repeal of this law in any future legislation, but that depends on the bill the amendment is attached to. That means it's all in the politics, meaning we'll see what happens, but don't hold your breath.

I thanked Senator Murray and reminded her I don't look forward to hiking in Mt. Rainier NP in the future when there is the real possibility someone with a gun has different plans for his gun, whether just some random target shooting or more dangerous interests, such as my photography equipment and myself. The last thought I need miles into the backcountry.

It's the last thing anyone needs in the backcountry and more so in the visitors areas. To me now, it's won't be if someone is injured or killed under this law but when. Remember the law doesn't distinguish between an individual's right with a gun, just the the intent of the individual to use it.

Happy Birthday

Ok, a day late, but not dollars short, or at least only a few dollars short to make it better. On March 2nd 1899 President McKinley signed the bill designating Mount Rainer Forest Reserve a National Park, read the text of the law. That's 112 years ago. And through all the natural calamities and human events, it's not only survived, but prospered.

But that happened not because man interferred, as we're so common to do, but because we didn't interfer and let it be what it is, a great example of nature at its finest. All the problems, more often than not, were the result of our actions to manage and develop the NP into a visitor experience. That's not nature's fault, it's ours.

Mt. Rainier NP has gone through a lot of changes, natural and commerical, from nothing and no money for the first few years of life as a NP, to what we see today, with its state of the art visitors center, extensive trail system, extensive roads to every corner of the NP, and several first class accomations. It's a tribute to our values for nature and our belief to lessen the human impact for every visitor to see the most of the beauty of the mountain and the NP.

And is was done by thousands of employees, workers (CCC during the depression) and volunteers over its history and more so today with the current NPS staff and volunteers, the many citizen volunteers and the many support folks, like the Washington National Guard. We owe them our thanks as much, if not more, for their dedication, time and importance to the NP.

So, when you are there this year, cherish the beuty of Mt. Rainier and the NP, but also thank the work off all the people working there now as well as all those who preceded them. It's our National Park, and they have lovingly cared for it for us.

Dear Washington Senators

To the Honorable Senators Cantwell and Murray,

I would greatly appreciate it if either or both of you would propose, if not sponsor, legistlation to restore the ban on guns in National Parks to the former regulations where all guns must be stored without ammunition in a secure container, and where it is illegal to display or use a gun anywhere in a National Park, especially in the backcountry, except where allowed by permit from the NPS for the protection against wildlife while hiking, such as Alaska.

I ask this even though there are 290 bills passed by the House already waiting for deliberation vote. The lifting of the ban February 22nd endangers every visitor in every National Park where the carrying of a weapon, openly or concealed as defined by the laws of the state where the NP is located, is allowed and even expected. This is an absurb policy and now law.

There is no reason anyone should walk around in a National Park, and mostly visitor areas, with a loaded weapon(s) simply for the purposes of displaying it. It is illegal to use or discharge a weapon in a NP, so it's ridiculus to carry it. The NPS has described how few people were injured or killed in National Parks outside the activities where these activities are common (mountain climbing) where a weapon would have helped.

As a hiker and nature and landscape photographer working on a photography guide to Mount Rainier National Park, the last thing I need to encounter miles into the backcountry is someone with a weapon. I don't look forward to this coming hiking season when I have to now plan for when someone I might encounter has a weapon, whether it's for their own personal protection or wanting to use it.

And the NPS has said in press releases they are training rangers to plan to treat encounters with all visitors as if they have a concealed weapon if they don't see one openly displayed. Is this anyway to greet and treat visitors, many of whom are foreign visitors? Is this the view of America and our National Parks we want them to have?

So, please find a way to reverse this law and reinstate the old regulations as law. It's a fair compromise for everyone. Guns aren't necessary in National Parks except where a permit is available.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Guns in the NP

An article in today (2/14/10) Tacoma News Tribune by Jeff Mayor cites the rules effective February 22nd when it will be legal to possess and carry guns in Mt. Rainier NP. The law passed last fall required the NP's to follow the state laws which applies to the possession, carrying and use of weapons. The staff at the NP is still addressing the rules to develop public information about weapons in the NP.

The rule will be that weapons can be openly carried in the NP and concealed weapons can be carried with a permit, but this only applies to the land of the NP. You can not carrry a weapon in any government facility, meaning the visitors centers, office, mountain guide center, etc. You can carry a weapon in the Paradise Inn and the Longmire Inn, unless prohibited by the concessionaire.

But all this has a catch.

YOU CAN NOT USE ANY WEAPON IN THE NP
It is still illegal to unholster a weapon and use it, even in the defense of life and property or discharge it in the backcountry (hunting is illegal in the NP).

In addition, from now on, all rangers will approach and treat people in the NP as if they have a weapon. This has been the training and the approach sometimes but now it will be the basic rule. So, when a ranger approaches you, try to show you don't have a weapon and are not a threat to them or others.

I still hope Congress will overturn this law. It wasn't necessary and only endangers all the people in the NP as well as hinders the appreciation of the NP and people's experience. Everyone will have to equally be wary of others if it's possible they could be carrying a concealed weapon and especially if they're openly carrying a weapon.

Personally, you can bet I won't trust anyone beyond what I can see. As a photographer, carrying my camera equipment in the backcountry, I won't trust anyone who may have a weapon and can threaten or immidate me, or worse rob or injury me. This law makes the NP experience worse, not just everyone, but more so foreign visitors who could have a bad experience.

So, I still say, keep you gun at home. It's unnecessary and needlessly endangers others. The right to carry a weapon doesn't make it right to do so. Please respect others.

February Updates

I have updated the news and information, the access and conditions and the monthly prospects Web pages for February 2010. February is pretty much more of the same from January with more snow and cold temperatures. This will continue through March until the spring snowmelt starts in mid-late April. In short, it's winter and everything winter. The NP is in full winter operation mode with all snow activities available in all designated areas open, which includes snowshoers, skiers, snowboarders and the snowplay area.

Currently the road to Paradise is controlled at the gate east of Longmire. It opens daily, weather permitting, after the parking lot at Paradise and road between Longmire and the gate is checked and cleared of snow, usually between 9-10 am. It also closes every day to uphill traffic at 4:00 pm. In addition, the NPS requires all vehicles carry chains and may require the use for non-four wheel drive vehicles at the parking lot just west of the Nisqually Bridge to Paradise.

Through the winter the only facilities open every day are those at Longmire (hotel and visitors center) and the only facilities open on weekends is the Jackson Visitors at Paradise (10 am to 5 pm). Everything else is closed for the season. If you go you should be prepared for winter travel with a proper equipment in your car, with the right clothes for all visitors, and with the necessary emergency gear of clothes, food, water, blankets, etc. You should also be flexible with your plans and schedule in case the weather changes or the NPS folks instruct visitors.

There's lots of excellent photographic opportunities for winter and snow scenes. Just go and enjoy.