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Bison Slaughter In Yellowstone National Park Draws Protest Against Park Service

Feb 26th - 19:50pm | jsmacdonald

If it is not easy for rangers to get out of their situation, then they do deserve our sympathy (which I have already said and which you seem to conveniently ignore), and everyone involved - rangers and non-rangers - need to work to make it possible for rangers stuck in this situation to be able to speak out or get out of their situation.

Feb 26th - 15:11pm | MPB

Jim wrote: "When workers do things simply because that's what they were told to do or because there is material pressure for them to do this, then our sympathy should be with them to the extent that they can't get out of the situation."

Feb 26th - 12:34pm | jsmacdonald

Another 180 bison have been captured and will be probably shipped to slaughter. That brings that total to 470 for the winter; 602 total dead. The slaughter total alone is 1/10 of the buffalo; the overall total is 1/8 of all buffalo counted in the fall.

Feb 25th - 23:10pm | MPB

Jim, bringing up the Nuremberg trials and the torture at Abu Ghraib is *not* analogous to criticizing Park Service personnel. Why? Because, besides the fact that you're attempting to compare the murder and torture of humans to the killing of bison, the Nazi committed crimes against humanity and the torture at Abu Ghraib was illegal.

Feb 25th - 01:05am | jsmacdonald

First of all, eric, you asked: In your opinion why did the park service begin killing bison?

Feb 24th - 10:52am | MPB

Jim MacDonald wrote: "At what point do we hold people culpable who do what they do even though they hate it? Isn't it a horribly cynical world where we will have to depend on lawyers to make things right? And, then, will it? What's really changed? I think all it does is change the playing field, but it's still the same game."

Feb 24th - 02:24am | fred

Sorry for the delay Jim in responding to your well versed response to my comments, my head was spinning for several days. I just have to revisit my original thoughts about the beef industry being responsible and the park service being caught in the middle of it all. I'd like to ask you a few questions. In your opinion why did the park service begin killing bison?

Park History: Grand Teton National Park

Feb 26th - 19:32pm | jsmacdonald

I don't believe that ends justify means.

Feb 26th - 15:27pm | MPB

Jim, no offense, but to me, you're coming off as quite the hypocrite. Comparing Rockefeller and his supposed "scamming" which eventually gave us Grand Teton National Park with your defense of hanging a black puppet of Yellowstone National Park in effigy, are you saying the ends justify the means or not?

Feb 26th - 12:18pm | Scot M.

One other interesting bit of trivia related to the creation of Grand Teton National Park & Jackson Hole National Monument is that because Jackson Hole residents were so upset with the land purchases by Rockefeller, his donation of the purchased land to the federal government, and President Franklin Roosevelt's use of the authority in the American Antiquities Act to create Jackson Hole Natio

Feb 26th - 12:14pm | jsmacdonald

I love Grand Teton and consider it Yellowstone itself, but how is it hat's off to Rockefeller? He scammed people using a front group (that hid his identity so that he could get the land for lower prices and who didn't want a national park in Jackson Hole) to collude with Albright to acquire land in Jackson Hole.

Feb 26th - 10:28am | Joesf

Hats off to Rockefeller and Albright for having the foresight to create this park! A great story and nicely written piece.

Critics: Changing Gun Laws in National Parks Would Open a "Pandora's Box" of Problems

Feb 26th - 18:13pm | Fred Miller

Scott - Thanks for the information. I do hope that you are right and I am wrong. I can't speak for every CCW holder, but in my case if I go to a National Park NO ONE will know I have a weapon except my wife, and anybody who tries to hurt her. Otherwise it will remain totally out of sight at all times.

Feb 26th - 15:36pm | Scot M.

Mr. Fred Miller,

Feb 26th - 14:56pm | Fred Miller

Jim - I'm told that there is no way that an active enforcement of any concealed weapon ban could take place. How would that be done? There would have to be "wands" and metal detectors EVERYWHERE you go in a National Park!

Feb 26th - 14:16pm | jsmacdonald

Just a question because I'm curious (and perhaps because I suspect this issue is a red herring), does anyone know what the Park Service does to enforce the current gun regulations? Is there actually active enforcement?

Feb 26th - 14:10pm | Cadwalleder5

As a National Park Ranger with over 30 year's experience, I can tell you conclusively that allowing the possession of readily-available firearms by all park visitors is a bad idea. While some people who have training in the use of firearms might be qualified to have them at hand, the reality is that most people don't.

Feb 26th - 05:38am | nobody

No one is asking for open hunting seasons in the parks just allow guns. I don't agree with carrying concealed weapons but I see no harm in allowing weapons in a persons vehicle for protection

Feb 26th - 03:15am | Joel

Boring!.....Yawn......This issue has been killed and rehashed to no conclusion. There are already guns in the parks. They belong to criminals who you are not aware currently carry them. Would you like to be aware of people carrying guns in the parks? If yes then you are for this legislation.

Park History: Grand Canyon National Park

Feb 26th - 15:44pm | Bob Janiskee

There might be some confusion about just when Grand Canyon National Park became a national park, but it seems perfectly clear why the National Park Service considers 1919 to be the magic year. It was in 1919 that managerial responsibility for the park ("ownership," if you prefer) was transferred from the U.S.

Olympic National Park Entrance Fees to Stay Unchanged Through 2009

Feb 26th - 13:47pm | We pay to much

If you are a citizen of the US, one should not pay a penny for parks. Do like other countries do...charge the tourist and forgieners an arm and a let and let the citizens in almost free. I was just in East Africa...my fee $50.00 per day for the parks..the locals fee 50 cents. I was in Russia and I paid $20.00 for the ballet..the locals paid 20 cents.

Feb 26th - 13:32pm | repanshek

Hey Lee, I hear you. The Park Service's proposed 08 budget is over $2 billion. If you search through the "Plight of the Parks" subcategory you'll find lots of posts concerning entrance fees and the battles over them.

Feb 26th - 11:48am | Lee Snider

Question #1: Do the national parks belong to the People? #2: How much taxpayer money goes to National Park Maintenance? Comment: I think entry should be FREE to all National Parks. And; at the very least there should be no fee's to Seniors, Military and retired Military!

NPS Retirees Oppose Carrying Guns in National Parks

Feb 26th - 13:01pm | Mark A. Weinberger

Dear Anti-gun activist....If you chose to be a potential victim, that is your privilige. I would much rather have the ability & means of protecting my loved ones & myself via my 2nd amendment rights. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. There are many other countries in the world where this is a fact of life.

National Park Visitation Debate -- Here We Go Again

Feb 26th - 00:54am | ReBecca

Glacier uses explosives to clear trails (at least they did in 2005 when I worked there, on the highline trail for sure). It was employed to clear large rocks that would come down from the avalanches that might be blocking a trail or causing a hazard.

Feb 25th - 23:10pm | JTR

I wonder if the visitor statistics for the competing recreation activities fluctuate in the same patterns as the NPS visitation,but at different times. People's recreation interests follow trends like everything else in our culture. Maybe low visitation years shouldn't be a worry, its a time to recoup for the next upswing.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Growing by 42 Acres

Feb 25th - 23:30pm | JTR

Maybe 42 acres doesn't seem like much land in the overall scheme of the NPS, but that land was paid for long ago in blood and tears. It is better that this hallowed land is set aside now. Otherwise in 50 years it will have a strip mall built on it.

Does the National Park Service Need a Quota System for Peak Seasons?

Feb 25th - 23:19pm | JTR

Quotas and lotteries are too cumbersome. Presumably all the people crowing the parks have already found a campsite or accommodations somewhere. The number of visitors is already "set" by the number of accommodations available.

A Winter Visit to Grand Canyon National Park's Phantom Ranch

Feb 25th - 21:07pm | pkrnger

Ken,

Feb 25th - 11:28am | pkrnger

Diane, Are you spending the night at Phantom Ranch? If so, will you be eating meals there as well? I found that the Phantom Ranch breakfast of hotcakes, eggs, and bacon was quite good, especially the bacon. If you have them prepare a sack lunch for the hike out, it will include the electolyte mix that Kurt recommends above.

Feb 24th - 17:53pm | repanshek

Diane, Sounds like you've got a great trip lined up! While I've hiked down into and back out of the canyon, with a stop at Phantom, I have yet to run the river.

Feb 24th - 15:32pm | Diane

Was glad to see some "been around the block once or twice" ages posted here as I am a 58 year old woman :)

Dinosaur National Monument: Paleo's Not The Only Responsibility

Feb 25th - 17:20pm | Anonymous3

A re-post for the convenience of the readers: Monument or Park, the key word here is "Dinosaur".

Feb 25th - 17:11pm | Tom

Additional important factual information: *NPS-77 explicitly states that fossils found in parks are to be prepared by or under the supervision of professionals.

Feb 25th - 14:44pm | Dale

Mr. Chure and the management of Dinosaur NM continue to misrepresent the current paleontology program to the public. Here are some points that should be made clear. Paleontology is identified as a core issue of the Monument. The program has included volunteers as significant partners since 1985. Assistance from researchers, museums, and universities has always been a part of the operation.

Feb 25th - 12:38pm | Anonymous2

Sounds like the writing of JTR (yea the one who is obviously a park employee @ DNM & very close to the situation), sticking to only the upper management side of the story, completely fact-less postings and very willing to bash any other point of view or credible information that contradicts the party line.

Feb 25th - 12:37pm | JTR

Read the story again. The NPCA got letters from those opposing the NPS, including some calling for the Superintendent’s resignation. The NPCA heard from both sides and made a decision about who to support.

Feb 24th - 21:48pm | Anonymous1

Or the NPCA is only going on the limited information they have been provided with from the parks point of view.

Rangers Association Points Out Flaws In Secretary Kempthorne's Weapons Logic

Feb 25th - 14:41pm | Lee

There seems to be a lot of great opinions in this discussion (so I'll add mine)

Feb 25th - 14:13pm | Scot McElveen

Mr. Fletcher James, I feel I must personally respond to your post because you have been disrespectful to me personally, and some of your sweeping assumptions are not accurate which is what frequently happens when one makes assumptions.

Feb 25th - 11:11am | Frank N

I've beaten this to death on other pages (see, didn't even need a gun!!), and won't continue to do so here. Just a couple of quick things. First, as implied by Mr. McElveen, this IS NOT a second amendment issue. It has nothing to do with the second amendment. In fact, this does NOT insure the right of "law abiding citizens" to bear arms.....not even in National Parks.

Feb 25th - 08:52am | Jim M

Fletcher:

Feb 24th - 20:52pm | CF

perhaps a real poll could take place w/in the various national parks..be in campgrounds, tents only areas and back country. I believe most folks who have spent many a vacation in the parks would say they feel safe as law is now. Really, just how many of the few tragic events that have made the news in recents years could have been avoided.

Feb 23rd - 23:48pm | allan samuels

As a retired peace officer I don't feel that my right to carry a concealed weapon should not appply to national parks

Feb 23rd - 22:34pm | Fletcher James

This is a classic case of the leaders (or head idiots) just not getting it. I believe if you polled all employees and visitors (aka Citizens) as to wether they would feel safer knowing that an armed law abiding persons were allowed in the parks that a large portion would agree that is a wise idea.

Interior Secretary Opens Door for New Gun Regulations in National Parks

Feb 25th - 11:54am | el conquistador

I completely agree with "Barky". I have been in some very remote areas of our federal lands and on occasion I have wished I had brought a rifle, just in case. I do believe this is a state's rights issue, but I am very sympathetic to the park rangers who might stumble upon more gunplay than they have heretofor been subjected to.

Feb 24th - 17:22pm | T. Page

I just have a few questions: 1. Is it just a security issue that makes you want to carry a weapon into a National Park? 2. If it is just a security issue then what do you now? Do you visit the parks or take the family somewhere else? If you visit the parks do you carry anyway?

Controlled Flood Proposed for the Colorado River Through Grand Canyon National Park

Feb 25th - 11:00am | Nick Hower

I have scheduled a fly-fishing trip with many out-of-state friends for March 27-30, 2008 (Lees Ferry). Should I cancel this trip?!?!?

4-Year-old Dies in Fall off South Rim of Grand Canyon

Feb 24th - 19:45pm | Another Mom

Steve's opening comments certainly inspire anyone with a clue about what life is like parenting children to respond. This little 4-year old yanked away from her parent in an act of willfulness, and it had the most tragic of consequences. Every one of us - especially anyone who is a parent - can look at this and grieve, knowing that it could have been any one of us.

National Parks Conservation Association: Interior Buckled to NRA Over Park Gun Laws

Feb 24th - 09:37am | Dan Miller

Our national parks have many visitors, some of them families, some of them illegals (armed) and growing their drug crops, some of them human predators looking for weak victims.

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