Catching the Buzz about the Save the Redwoods' Sign

Beers and a signCatching the Buzz about the Save the Redwoods’ Sign

Frequent Photo

Not too long ago,  Save the Redwoods League put up a rather large industrial billboard sign at the top of a beautiful, unspoiled ridgetop.  Almost immediately the sign was cut down.  The neighbors lobbied hard for the sign to be removed permanently. (see previous post.)

Weeks have passed with no further developements.  The ridgetop’s have been unsullied except for a sign laying on its back in the grass.  Today, the sign posts were somewhat repaired and the sign re-placed.  At sunset, when a neighbor called to tell me the sign was up again, two bottles of beer snuggled next to the repairs.  Were they an offering to keep someone from removing it again or were they a gift for the remover?

In my opinion, the sign is at odds with the wild and scenic place where it was erected.  For miles in any direction there are no signs at all or only small discrete placards that detract as little as possible from the natural landscape.  Most of the local neighbors are opposed to the sign.  Please let Save the Redwoods know that the sign is at odds with their otherwise important mission to protect the natural world.

E-mail: [email protected]

Save the Redwoods League
114 Sansome Street, Suite 1200
San Francisco, CA 94104-3823

Telephone: (415) 362-2352
Toll Free: (888) 836-0005
Fax: (415) 362-7017

To me it is sad that, we, as a society, have become so inured to the ugliness of billboards encroaching on our views that one of our most venerable environmental organizations– dedicated to preserving natural beauty– put a large sign up oblivious to the irony and the ugliness! Please help us help them realize what they’ve done.

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules

Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

73 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Staff
Member
14 years ago

I have spoken to Jennifer Benito from Save the Redwoods League and she says to the best of her knowledge this is not their work. She believes they are still trying to be able to remove the sign. Thank you!

I have spoken to a neighbor who spoke to the person putting up the sign. The man said his name was Dusty but declined to give either a last name or attach himself to an organization. Nor did he have a car which makes his being there a bit difficult as it is far to the nearest main road. He claimed the road was public (which it isn’t) but otherwise refused to discuss what he was doing.

robin bird
Guest
14 years ago

hmmm… sounds fishy. the photograph you captured is quite nice. it’s hard for me to not notice that even though i realize it is not the primary subject of this post. your ‘dusty’ seems to be up to a bit of mischief but to what purpose who knows? i smiled at your generous comment on my blog today kym and thought to myself…hey kym says to come see this photograph Good Housekeeping, Cooking Light, Epicure!
i needed a little recognition for my artistic endeavors today 🙂 thanks

robin bird
Guest
14 years ago

hmmm… sounds fishy. the photograph you captured is quite nice. it’s hard for me to not notice that even though i realize it is not the primary subject of this post. your ‘dusty’ seems to be up to a bit of mischief but to what purpose who knows? i smiled at your generous comment on my blog today kym and thought to myself…hey kym says to come see this photograph Good Housekeeping, Cooking Light, Epicure!
i needed a little recognition for my artistic endeavors today 🙂 thanks

lodgepole
Guest
lodgepole
14 years ago

Perhaps the community could get together and offer to purchase the property, so as to have legal control over such matters.

By giving the sign such publicity in your last post, it seemed like you were promoting the signs demise. The outcome was obvious and quick. It appears you are doing it again. Considering the organization, I don’t appreciate it.

lodgepole
Guest
lodgepole
14 years ago

Perhaps the community could get together and offer to purchase the property, so as to have legal control over such matters.

By giving the sign such publicity in your last post, it seemed like you were promoting the signs demise. The outcome was obvious and quick. It appears you are doing it again. Considering the organization, I don’t appreciate it.

Staff
Member
14 years ago

Lodgepole,

The sign was being talked about among the close neighbors before I wrote the first and last blog. People called me and told me it was there both times. My posts are an attempt to rally the people who feel like I do but might not pass the spot for a week, a month, or, in the case of people who no longer live here but still love it, a year.

I don’t think cutting down the sign is the best way of dealing. I believe reaching out and letting the Save the Redwoods League understand our position in large numbers is necessary. (Sadly, the world doesn’t even notice big signs. They think they are inevitable and think people who don’t like them are nuts so we have to respond in large enough numbers that we aren’t written off as cranks.) I’m a blogger so the way I reach out is by blogging. I have nothing but respect for the response Save the Redwoods League has given to our concerns. I have to admit I felt a bit betrayed by the sign being uprighted without notice given that I had felt the League had conveyed a desire to work with us.

But, after talking to Ms. Benito, as I mentioned above, I don’t think the League is behind the sign replacement. She had no idea it was being done and explained that the League was negotiating with the organization that had required the sign to be able to remove it.

Honestly, I expect the sign to be cut down. I’d rather our community dealt with the League by talking but I know my community (and love it).

I love the idea of having the League as neighbors but they are new neighbors and probably don’t know our customs. I’m just explaining, “Hey, guys. I know where you come from its okay to do things like that but here we do things differently. How can we meet your needs and not mess with our needs?”

If I wanted the sign cut down, I’d just call around to the neighbors and let nature take its course. I’m interested in working with the League not against it.

Staff
Member
14 years ago

Lodgepole,

The sign was being talked about among the close neighbors before I wrote the first and last blog. People called me and told me it was there both times. My posts are an attempt to rally the people who feel like I do but might not pass the spot for a week, a month, or, in the case of people who no longer live here but still love it, a year.

I don’t think cutting down the sign is the best way of dealing. I believe reaching out and letting the Save the Redwoods League understand our position in large numbers is necessary. (Sadly, the world doesn’t even notice big signs. They think they are inevitable and think people who don’t like them are nuts so we have to respond in large enough numbers that we aren’t written off as cranks.) I’m a blogger so the way I reach out is by blogging. I have nothing but respect for the response Save the Redwoods League has given to our concerns. I have to admit I felt a bit betrayed by the sign being uprighted without notice given that I had felt the League had conveyed a desire to work with us.

But, after talking to Ms. Benito, as I mentioned above, I don’t think the League is behind the sign replacement. She had no idea it was being done and explained that the League was negotiating with the organization that had required the sign to be able to remove it.

Honestly, I expect the sign to be cut down. I’d rather our community dealt with the League by talking but I know my community (and love it).

I love the idea of having the League as neighbors but they are new neighbors and probably don’t know our customs. I’m just explaining, “Hey, guys. I know where you come from its okay to do things like that but here we do things differently. How can we meet your needs and not mess with our needs?”

If I wanted the sign cut down, I’d just call around to the neighbors and let nature take its course. I’m interested in working with the League not against it.

lodgepole
Guest
lodgepole
14 years ago

I’ll stand by Dusty the rogue beer guy at this point. He seems way more honorable than a bunch of nimby hypocrites.

I would say that sign is a small price to pay for that land to be saved. Would you rather look at another driveway? Get over yourselves. Go plant some trees over something.

lodgepole
Guest
lodgepole
14 years ago

I’ll stand by Dusty the rogue beer guy at this point. He seems way more honorable than a bunch of nimby hypocrites.

I would say that sign is a small price to pay for that land to be saved. Would you rather look at another driveway? Get over yourselves. Go plant some trees over something.

Staff
Member
14 years ago

Lodgepole, I’ve donated to Save the Redwoods in the past and will do so again. I appreciate what they do. I just love our beautiful unspoiled meadows. Did you ever take a look at the anti billboard movement? Here is a link. Its one I’ve followed for awhile. I feel pretty passionately about the long sweep of beautiful land untouched as much as possible. I feel that the League would probably be on the side of that, too. Its just that our society has become so inured to ugliness that no one thinks twice about putting up a large sign not even an environmentally conscious organization.

To me, asking them to remove it is just reminding them of something that they already care about.

Staff
Member
14 years ago

Lodgepole, I’ve donated to Save the Redwoods in the past and will do so again. I appreciate what they do. I just love our beautiful unspoiled meadows. Did you ever take a look at the anti billboard movement? Here is a link. Its one I’ve followed for awhile. I feel pretty passionately about the long sweep of beautiful land untouched as much as possible. I feel that the League would probably be on the side of that, too. Its just that our society has become so inured to ugliness that no one thinks twice about putting up a large sign not even an environmentally conscious organization.

To me, asking them to remove it is just reminding them of something that they already care about.

winecountryliving
Guest
winecountryliving
14 years ago

YOU GO KYM,,BEHIND YOU ALL THE WAY!!!!!GLAD YOU PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE FOR OTHERS WHO DON’T,,,GLAD YOU CAN TAKE THE CRITICS RHETORIC AND NOT BACK DOWN, YOU ARE VERY DIPLOMATIC AND CALMING AND NON JUDGEMENTAL AND I APPLAUD YOU AND RESPECT YOU AND YOUR VIEWS,,,WE DON’T ALL HAVE TO AGREE THAT IS TRUE,,BUT IT IS ALSO HOW ONE REPRESENTS THEMSELVES,,,HENCE,,,LODGEPOLE,,HAHA,,NEED I SAY MORE~

Ben
Guest
Ben
14 years ago

Kym… Thanks for your work on this. Tui & I used your link to send Save the Redwoods league a message. You made it easy.

winecountryliving
Guest
winecountryliving
14 years ago

YOU GO KYM,,BEHIND YOU ALL THE WAY!!!!!GLAD YOU PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE FOR OTHERS WHO DON’T,,,GLAD YOU CAN TAKE THE CRITICS RHETORIC AND NOT BACK DOWN, YOU ARE VERY DIPLOMATIC AND CALMING AND NON JUDGEMENTAL AND I APPLAUD YOU AND RESPECT YOU AND YOUR VIEWS,,,WE DON’T ALL HAVE TO AGREE THAT IS TRUE,,BUT IT IS ALSO HOW ONE REPRESENTS THEMSELVES,,,HENCE,,,LODGEPOLE,,HAHA,,NEED I SAY MORE~

Ben
Guest
Ben
14 years ago

Kym… Thanks for your work on this. Tui & I used your link to send Save the Redwoods league a message. You made it easy.

suzyblahblah
Guest
suzyblahblah
14 years ago

Yup, it’s a snooty conformist yuppy materialist ideal to live in a place in the hills with a ‘scenic’ ‘view. An ideal which then is imposed outwardly onto the neighborhood and further… so much so that when someone decides to put up a sign on their own land, a mere 3ft sign, the sh*t h*ts the f*n. An idealistic war on ‘uglyness’ is waged. Yet the fact is that whether this sign or signs in general are ugly or not is a totally subjective matter.

Kim
Guest
Kim
14 years ago
Reply to  suzyblahblah

Yup, Salmon Creek, Elk Creek, Fire Creek, all settled and populated by “Conformist Yuppy Materialists” That’s exactly what my parents called them when they started showing up here in their VW vans, moving into their tipis and buses. 🙂

Inthehills
Guest
Inthehills
14 years ago
Reply to  Kim

I really must say I liked the look of the land before there were 100s of people and houses. The
sign is nothing in comparison.

suzyblahblah
Guest
suzyblahblah
14 years ago

Yup, it’s a snooty conformist yuppy materialist ideal to live in a place in the hills with a ‘scenic’ ‘view. An ideal which then is imposed outwardly onto the neighborhood and further… so much so that when someone decides to put up a sign on their own land, a mere 3ft sign, the sh*t h*ts the f*n. An idealistic war on ‘uglyness’ is waged. Yet the fact is that whether this sign or signs in general are ugly or not is a totally subjective matter.

Kim
Guest
Kim
14 years ago
Reply to  suzyblahblah

Yup, Salmon Creek, Elk Creek, Fire Creek, all settled and populated by “Conformist Yuppy Materialists” That’s exactly what my parents called them when they started showing up here in their VW vans, moving into their tipis and buses. 🙂

Inthehills
Guest
Inthehills
14 years ago
Reply to  Kim

I really must say I liked the look of the land before there were 100s of people and houses. The
sign is nothing in comparison.

suzyblahblah
Guest
suzyblahblah
14 years ago

Kim, please don’t take it personal and lay that old rebelling against your parent’s trip on me. They may have called somebody something but Suzy’s not calling anyone anything. i’m saying that a ‘scenic’ view is an ideal of a certain mindset.

Staff
Member
14 years ago
Reply to  suzyblahblah

So then you won’t mind if CALTRANS puts up large industrial walls between the roadway and our beautiful area?

suzyblahblah
Guest
suzyblahblah
14 years ago
Reply to  Staff

Industrial walls? Suzy has no idea of what you are even talking about.

suzyblahblah
Guest
suzyblahblah
14 years ago

Kim, please don’t take it personal and lay that old rebelling against your parent’s trip on me. They may have called somebody something but Suzy’s not calling anyone anything. i’m saying that a ‘scenic’ view is an ideal of a certain mindset.

Staff
Member
14 years ago
Reply to  suzyblahblah

So then you won’t mind if CALTRANS puts up large industrial walls between the roadway and our beautiful area?

suzyblahblah
Guest
suzyblahblah
14 years ago
Reply to  Staff

Industrial walls? Suzy has no idea of what you are even talking about.

Garbervillian
Guest
Garbervillian
14 years ago

All this bluster about a sign in the middle of nowhere, yet you favor the trampling of Richardson’s Grove! I don’t understand. It must be a nimby thing.

Garbervillian
Guest
Garbervillian
14 years ago

All this bluster about a sign in the middle of nowhere, yet you favor the trampling of Richardson’s Grove! I don’t understand. It must be a nimby thing.

Staff
Member
14 years ago

I don’t favor the trampling of Richardsons Grove. I love it. I don’t believe it will be trampled. I would be in opposition to harming that beautiful place. But we are surrounded by redwood groves that have had roads through them for 100 years. We see no harm except those long ago trees cut down in the direct roadway. I’ve read the DEIR for this current realignment and the trees removed will be unnoticeable. I believe CALTRANS is even picking up duff and returning it to the disturbed surface.. Unless we forbid humans travel by wagon or car, we need roads.

However, a large industrial sign up a private road telling the neighbors that the property has been bought with the support of the governor and some organizations isn’t needed. They could send a letter. They could post on our own natural bulletin board. They could put in a small discreet sign.

Besides, there are neighbors who don’t support the Richardsons Grove realignment, who also don’t want the sign. In fairness to them, my stance on the Grove shouldn’t be part of the consideration on whether the sign belongs there or not.

Jeff Muskrat
Guest
14 years ago
Reply to  Staff

The concrete base that Caltrans proposes to use around the bases of the Ancient Redwoods contains lime and is very high on the PH scale. Lime Posioning!

I’ve personally removed a tree for this very reason. Redwoods love acidic soil. Go ahead, look it up.

Caltrans is basically poisoning the Ancient Trees…

Staff
Member
14 years ago

I don’t favor the trampling of Richardsons Grove. I love it. I don’t believe it will be trampled. I would be in opposition to harming that beautiful place. But we are surrounded by redwood groves that have had roads through them for 100 years. We see no harm except those long ago trees cut down in the direct roadway. I’ve read the DEIR for this current realignment and the trees removed will be unnoticeable. I believe CALTRANS is even picking up duff and returning it to the disturbed surface.. Unless we forbid humans travel by wagon or car, we need roads.

However, a large industrial sign up a private road telling the neighbors that the property has been bought with the support of the governor and some organizations isn’t needed. They could send a letter. They could post on our own natural bulletin board. They could put in a small discreet sign.

Besides, there are neighbors who don’t support the Richardsons Grove realignment, who also don’t want the sign. In fairness to them, my stance on the Grove shouldn’t be part of the consideration on whether the sign belongs there or not.

Jeff Muskrat
Guest
14 years ago
Reply to  Staff

The concrete base that Caltrans proposes to use around the bases of the Ancient Redwoods contains lime and is very high on the PH scale. Lime Posioning!

I’ve personally removed a tree for this very reason. Redwoods love acidic soil. Go ahead, look it up.

Caltrans is basically poisoning the Ancient Trees…

Kim
Guest
Kim
14 years ago

Suzy,
I accept your retraction of the name calling.
Though I must correct your sense of my rebellion against my parents. I’m grown, they’re grown, we all know the value of people is in their actions, and nowhere else.
You are entirely correct “Scenic” is subjective.
I may be overstepping myself he but I am going to say that this sign is not “pretty”.
What the STRL strives for is.
I’m not being confrontational, I’m a HUGE believer in personal property rights, but as a neighbor and a friend to those around me I wouldn’t change the gestalt of my neighbor hood in a fundamental way, without consulting those I live with as a courtesy.
Further, I believe that STRL is a good neighbor and community member and will adjust a meaningless rule to return a pristine look.

Kim
Guest
Kim
14 years ago

Suzy,
I accept your retraction of the name calling.
Though I must correct your sense of my rebellion against my parents. I’m grown, they’re grown, we all know the value of people is in their actions, and nowhere else.
You are entirely correct “Scenic” is subjective.
I may be overstepping myself he but I am going to say that this sign is not “pretty”.
What the STRL strives for is.
I’m not being confrontational, I’m a HUGE believer in personal property rights, but as a neighbor and a friend to those around me I wouldn’t change the gestalt of my neighbor hood in a fundamental way, without consulting those I live with as a courtesy.
Further, I believe that STRL is a good neighbor and community member and will adjust a meaningless rule to return a pristine look.

suzyblahblah
Guest
suzyblahblah
14 years ago

Though I must correct your sense of my rebellion against my parents. I’m grown, they’re grown, we all know the value of people is in their actions, and nowhere else.

Yeah totally. Me and my parents are also growin so i know all about the value of people being nowhere else and the pristine look and everything. 4 sure.

huggles,
s

suzyblahblah
Guest
suzyblahblah
14 years ago

Though I must correct your sense of my rebellion against my parents. I’m grown, they’re grown, we all know the value of people is in their actions, and nowhere else.

Yeah totally. Me and my parents are also growin so i know all about the value of people being nowhere else and the pristine look and everything. 4 sure.

huggles,
s

Staff
Member
14 years ago

I just spoke to Jennifer Benito from the Save the Redwoods League. They did not for sure put up the sign this time. They don’t know who could have. They are working to make sure the sign doesn’t have to be replaced.

Thank you so much.

Staff
Member
14 years ago

I just spoke to Jennifer Benito from the Save the Redwoods League. They did not for sure put up the sign this time. They don’t know who could have. They are working to make sure the sign doesn’t have to be replaced.

Thank you so much.

Allegory
Guest
Allegory
14 years ago

Ignore the sign. Keep the beer.

Allegory
Guest
Allegory
14 years ago

Ignore the sign. Keep the beer.

Bunny
Guest
Bunny
14 years ago

Why would there ever even be a sign on a hill in Salmon Creek? Beautiful picture.

Bunny
Guest
Bunny
14 years ago

Why would there ever even be a sign on a hill in Salmon Creek? Beautiful picture.

Bob
Guest
Bob
14 years ago

The sign is down again today. Why do people go onto land that is not their own and cut things?

Staff
Member
14 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Bob,
There are strong feelings here against the sign.

The odd thing recently is someone apparently went onto land that wasn’t theirs and put up the sign.

Alabama
Guest
Alabama
14 years ago
Reply to  Staff

Why harbor such ‘strong feelings’ against an inanimate object? Words? Wildlife habitat? Some guy? Outsiders in general? STRL? Change? All of the above?

Affectations can be strong, and equally dangerous. What does the STRL sign signify by laying in the grass? By all appearances, it was put up legally, with respect. In our wider society, it is considered bad form to misconstrue a situation. Where is the wisdom, vision, common sense, or restraint? If some ‘homegrown’ boards fell over, would we feel like someone burned a cross on our lawn? Do we need sign sitters? How much attention would we like to draw?

Take a field trip, and the children will know what to do.

Lodgepole
Guest
Lodgepole
14 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Bob, because some people are just selfish assholes.

Did the trespasser leave any beers? I thought not. Right is right, wrong is wrong.

Bob
Guest
Bob
14 years ago

The sign is down again today. Why do people go onto land that is not their own and cut things?

Staff
Member
14 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Bob,
There are strong feelings here against the sign.

The odd thing recently is someone apparently went onto land that wasn’t theirs and put up the sign.

Alabama
Guest
Alabama
14 years ago
Reply to  Staff

Why harbor such ‘strong feelings’ against an inanimate object? Words? Wildlife habitat? Some guy? Outsiders in general? STRL? Change? All of the above?

Affectations can be strong, and equally dangerous. What does the STRL sign signify by laying in the grass? By all appearances, it was put up legally, with respect. In our wider society, it is considered bad form to misconstrue a situation. Where is the wisdom, vision, common sense, or restraint? If some ‘homegrown’ boards fell over, would we feel like someone burned a cross on our lawn? Do we need sign sitters? How much attention would we like to draw?

Take a field trip, and the children will know what to do.

Lodgepole
Guest
Lodgepole
14 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Bob, because some people are just selfish assholes.

Did the trespasser leave any beers? I thought not. Right is right, wrong is wrong.

Spencer
Guest
Spencer
14 years ago

Remember the Code of the West.

You have to know where to draw the line.

Property damage cannot be condoned.

The surrounding properties will probably not remain as they are indefinitely. You can check with the county planning department to find out how the properties are zoned and to see what future developments may be in the planning stages. The view from your property may change.

http://gis.co.humboldt.ca.us/Freeance/Client/PublicAccess1/index.html?appconfig=gpu

Parcels zoned CH shall have Design Review and Qualifying Combining zones attached, to insure that signage is appropriate in scale and character to the setting.

Spencer
Guest
Spencer
14 years ago

Remember the Code of the West.

You have to know where to draw the line.

Property damage cannot be condoned.

The surrounding properties will probably not remain as they are indefinitely. You can check with the county planning department to find out how the properties are zoned and to see what future developments may be in the planning stages. The view from your property may change.

http://gis.co.humboldt.ca.us/Freeance/Client/PublicAccess1/index.html?appconfig=gpu

Parcels zoned CH shall have Design Review and Qualifying Combining zones attached, to insure that signage is appropriate in scale and character to the setting.

Staff
Member
14 years ago

Spencer,

Thank you for the link. Everyone who lives in the hills should follow it to see where their parcel is located. Once you’ve found your piece, click legend (upper right) to see how it is zoned.

Staff
Member
14 years ago

Spencer,

Thank you for the link. Everyone who lives in the hills should follow it to see where their parcel is located. Once you’ve found your piece, click legend (upper right) to see how it is zoned.

Bunny
Guest
Bunny
14 years ago

Affectations can be strong, and equally dangerous. What does the STRL sign signify by laying in the grass? By all appearances, it was put up legally, with respect. In our wider society, it is considered bad form to misconstrue a situation. Where is the wisdom, vision, common sense, or restraint? If some ‘homegrown’ boards fell over, would we feel like someone burned a cross on our lawn? Do we need sign sitters?

SALMON CREEK DOESN’T NEED ANY SIGNS ON ANY HILLS. IF YOU HAVE 1 YOU’RE GONNA GET 100 MORE.

Bunny
Guest
Bunny
14 years ago

Affectations can be strong, and equally dangerous. What does the STRL sign signify by laying in the grass? By all appearances, it was put up legally, with respect. In our wider society, it is considered bad form to misconstrue a situation. Where is the wisdom, vision, common sense, or restraint? If some ‘homegrown’ boards fell over, would we feel like someone burned a cross on our lawn? Do we need sign sitters?

SALMON CREEK DOESN’T NEED ANY SIGNS ON ANY HILLS. IF YOU HAVE 1 YOU’RE GONNA GET 100 MORE.

anomolous
Guest
anomolous
14 years ago

I’d take a hundred quiet, non-polluting signs over one rumbling, toxic McBud factory. If an angry mob is forming, let’s get some priorities straight.

anomolous
Guest
anomolous
14 years ago

I’d take a hundred quiet, non-polluting signs over one rumbling, toxic McBud factory. If an angry mob is forming, let’s get some priorities straight.

Staff
Member
14 years ago

How about we stay away from angry mobs and just express ourselves peacefully. I’ve found that works pretty well.

It isn’t really an either or situation. One can talk to neighbors respectfully about your concerns about any situation.

Staff
Member
14 years ago

How about we stay away from angry mobs and just express ourselves peacefully. I’ve found that works pretty well.

It isn’t really an either or situation. One can talk to neighbors respectfully about your concerns about any situation.

Lodgepole
Guest
Lodgepole
14 years ago

“….and just express ourselves peacefully.”

I just wonder Kym: Was the trespasser who chainsawed the sign down expressing themselves peacefully?

Lodgepole
Guest
Lodgepole
14 years ago

“….and just express ourselves peacefully.”

I just wonder Kym: Was the trespasser who chainsawed the sign down expressing themselves peacefully?

Staff
Member
14 years ago

Lodgepole,

I have already said “I don’t think cutting down the sign is the best way of dealing.”

I think I must have mistaken you for somebody else. There is a Lodgepole who is an environmental activist engaged in tree sits (Yes, I have supported tree sits in the past). Some people think that tree sits are infringements of private property so I’m guessing with your strong pro private property stand that you aren’t the person I thought you were?

If you are that person, I would think that you would realize that monkey wrenching is a time honored way of accomplishing things in many circles. I don’t support it generally but sometimes I’m sympathetic to the frustration that leads to using that as a solution. Sometimes people who feel unable to accomplish something one way feel that moneywrenching is the only way to make a big corporation or a big entity hear them.. I would think an environmentalist while not actively supporting this action might at least feel some sympathy. I do.

Staff
Member
14 years ago

Lodgepole,

I have already said “I don’t think cutting down the sign is the best way of dealing.”

I think I must have mistaken you for somebody else. There is a Lodgepole who is an environmental activist engaged in tree sits (Yes, I have supported tree sits in the past). Some people think that tree sits are infringements of private property so I’m guessing with your strong pro private property stand that you aren’t the person I thought you were?

If you are that person, I would think that you would realize that monkey wrenching is a time honored way of accomplishing things in many circles. I don’t support it generally but sometimes I’m sympathetic to the frustration that leads to using that as a solution. Sometimes people who feel unable to accomplish something one way feel that moneywrenching is the only way to make a big corporation or a big entity hear them.. I would think an environmentalist while not actively supporting this action might at least feel some sympathy. I do.

DocSarvis
Guest
DocSarvis
14 years ago

Pulling up stakes and cutting down signs used to be somewhat effective for feel-good purposes, but now GPS can locate things and the Internet can share information just like signs. Even Geronimo gave up when he saw the heliotropes. In any case, one should know what laws apply, 43 CFR 9268.3: “(2) … no one shall: (i) Intentionally or wantonly destroy, deface, injure, sign, remove or disturb any public building, sign, equipment, marker, or other public property; (3) Penalties … fined…not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 12 months, or both.” So cutting it twice…well, there is little sympathy for breaking our few environmental laws. High risk for little gain. More: “Section 3 of the Act of February 25, 1885 (23 Stat. 322; 43 U.S.C. 1063), provides that no person by force, threats, intimidation, or by any fencing or enclosing or any other unlawful means shall prevent or obstruct or shall combine or confederate with others to prevent or obstruct any person from peaceably entering upon …any tract of public land …or shall prevent or obstruct free passage or transit over or through the public lands.” Civil and criminal penalties. Sorry to get legalistic ( I am no attorney) but where are your tactical strategies? The brief “Sagebrush Rebellion” actually affirmed government roles. There is only one possible sign area, not 100. Political and administrative processes can do more with less effort and risk. Sold my collection of saws and torches.