It has come to my attention that a TLCA club called the Gotham City Landcruisers is putting an REI link on their website. I contacted them about this and they have refused to pull the REI link. GCLC earns money everytime someone uses that link to buy something on the REI site.
http://www.gothamcitycruisers.org/

REI sponsers many environment groups. Some are worthwhile of support but two come to mind that are not.

Here is a press release from REI:
http://www.rei.com/reihtml/about_rei/2000/reiwild.html

The California Wilderness Coalition actively pursues the closing of public lands in California and converting them to Wildness areas off limits to multiple-use.

The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance also does the same thing but works in Utah. It is best known for its effort for more wilderness area in Moab.

Here are two important club members of GCLC that you can email to voice your opinion in support of GCLC or against...Please let them know how you think about the REI issue...

jon.held@mindspring.com
mark@gclc.com

[ 10-15-2001: Message edited by: E-Locker ]

anyone from gotham on here. it would be good to get their side before blasting them. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

I have been asked by GCLC to clarify their "refusal"...

They say they don't actually refuse to remove it but want to bring it to discussion with their own club members. This does make sense but it was easy enough to put the link up, they could atleast pull the link until their club votes on it.

Just to set the record straight...

Ken Flesher just informed me that he called REI and they no longer sponsor SUWA. They did in 2000 but that program ended...

I shop at REI. Don't know about their politics and really don't care. They have great stuff and I do like to do a few other things than 4 wheel.

I say relax. If you are not a member of Gotham City Cruisers then i don't see that it is any of your business whether or not they have a link on their site.

I just don't get it I guess.

personally I care, I wouldnt want to give any of my hard earned money to someone who is trying to close trails. however, Its easy to jump to conclusions, and the facts need to be brought out before fingers are pointed. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by 69cruzer:
<STRONG>personally I care, I wouldnt want to give any of my hard earned money to someone who is trying to close trails. however, Its easy to jump to conclusions, and the facts need to be brought out before fingers are pointed. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

Is REI trying to close trails?

I don't know, seems like if I start not using all the businesses that disagree with what my hobbies are, I will be in a bind to find anyone who does not have some sort of beef with a guy who likes to:

Trail ride with Land Cruisers, Mountain Bikes and Horses

Shoot LEAD shot at sporting clays

Shoot "Bambi" with a compound bow

Shoot 200 ducks in Mexico in a morning

Shit, I'm a scoundrel......
<IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

damn nolan! you're an enviro nazi's dream come true. the perfect scapegoat to cruzify. better watch it brother!
hahaha.....
<IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

OHH MY GOD, YOU DARE TO DISAGREE. I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU
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j/k dude, Its all good. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by 69cruzer:
<STRONG>OHH MY GOD, YOU DARE TO DISAGREE. I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU
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j/k dude, Its all good. </STRONG>

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<IMG SRC="smilies/laughing.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/laughing.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/laughing.gif" border="0">

That is funny as shit!

REI supports a lot of efforts to close trails. I went in to look at a pair of boots they had on sale about 3 years ago. The salesperson tried to convince me about all the evil things in the world that needed protection. He started telling me about how part of my purchase would go to protect this and that. So I asked if any of it would go to protect trail closures. Needless to say I don't shop there anymore. They have cool stuff, but they have had a direct impact on trail closures in Idaho.

Later!

Eric V.