This is posted with his written permission.

Jack

Jack,



Mr. Burke is a bit formal. My name is Bill!



It is interesting that the letter/article has generated so much discussion. Off hand I would say: "If they are offended then they probably needed it!"



But not to be coy, I will respond to your query, but will not join the Pirate Board. I travel way too much to hang on the computer and read it day in and day out. I also am not impressed with the board "owner" and his vitriolic haranguing and foul language!



I was not pointing any fingers at "rock-crawlers" in any stretch. I was pointing a finger (whole hand if you will) at the "genre" that has been spawned by the technology and ease one can build a rig that is considered "buggie" style because they’re cool, then driven by those who really should not be operating a vehicle on- or off-highway. The un-caring individuals who think that: "now I got me a rig and I can crawl any tree and rock from Paragon to the Hammers!" Any kid can buy an XJ, Sawzall it, add 38s and think it’s a beast. That is who the finger is pointed at, not pro-rock crawlers unless they, too, trash the trails.



It is all well and good when a vehicle is purpose built and used to that end. But if and when any machine is driven in public access areas that are hotly contested and the travel routes managed and watched by those that would close it down rather than keep it open........ Aye that is the rub!!



It is also very interesting that those that do not know me have such strong opinions of just my words and don't realize that I have operated most every type of tracked/wheeled/customed rig in almost every part of the world. From rice paddies and swamps to Panamint and, yes, even the Hammers. I am not an elitist by any means.



I only point out that if we as a very large (and vociferous) group of organized recreational 'wheelers could put even half the amount of energy that the boards absorb.... well, what a lobbying effort that would be. I suggest that this energy can go to supporting groups such as USA-ALL and Blue Ribbon. I also suggest that this large group write to vehicle manufacturers and TREAD Lightly (who is sponsored with large sums of money by many of the vehicle manufacturers) and call them to task for their errant ways of advertising which seem to increase the population of idiot drivers.



I just wrote my observations that day about how the “rabble” have really started to make an impact that will have resounding repercussions from the land managing agencies and add fuel to the Sierra/SUWA agenda.



I don't mind being called an "enviro-nazi" except that the word nazi has a real downer meaning. If one were to say that I was pro-environment that is a good moniker.



I 'wheel because I love to. I make my living doing what I love. I train all sorts of drivers from moms and pops in Acuras to... why yes even rock-crawler teams. Don't pigeon-hole me by thinking I only want the roads open so I can make money. I want the roads open so you.. and you... can recreate in public access without recriminations and having to pay a fee or even having to stay on private land.



Is it so bad to stand up and state that I like primitive lands? While also stating that Rock-Crawlers deserve their arena?



I am just tired of having people trash up the place regardless of the type of sport or mode of recreation they seem to enjoy. One could point out all different abuses such as the climbers on Everest with the trash piles there. But, 4-wheeling is my avocation and vocation and I choose to make a difference starting here!



Kind regards and thank you for allowing me voice my opinion about managed public-access areas, not closed and private playgrounds.



Bill Burke

Thats a rebuttal ? sounds like more of the same.

The guy didn't need a rebuttal. I got his point the first time around, wtf was all the argument for anyway? You know what that arguing was? It was people being contrary and getting their panties all in a bunch because maybe, just maybe, the finger pointing was pointing in the right direction.

I am just tired of having people trash up the place regardless of the type of sport or mode of recreation they seem to enjoy.


If this was Bill's main stance then I would be behind him 100%....actually I would like to think that this is what pirate4x4 is all about and if it is not we need to make it so.

The guy didn't need a rebuttal. I got his point the first time around, wtf was all the argument for anyway? You know what that arguing was? It was people being contrary and getting their panties all in a bunch because maybe, just maybe, the finger pointing was pointing in the right direction.


I agree he didn't make a rebutal. and I too got his point and I agree with his "point" what my panties were bunched up about is how he went about making it.

I agree he didn't make a rebutal. and I too got his point and I agree with his "point" what my panties were bunched up about is how he went about making it.

Point taken.

If this was Bill's main stance then I would be behind him 100%....actually I would like to think that this is what pirate4x4 is all about and if it is not we need to make it so.

But this was the whole point to his original letter. How did so many people miss this??? :confused:

But this was the whole point to his original letter. How did so many people miss this??? :confused:

Ayup.

But this was the whole point to his original letter. How did so many people miss this??? :confused:

I doubt anybody missed it and I doubt than even one person here disagrees with it.

from the replys I read it seems many people, myself included feel it was how he went about making it does us more harm then good.

the fact is we need to drill that point into every single person that ever sets foot on public land. then we need to let the rest of the world see that is how we behave.

anybody have a link to BB website ? I seem to have misplaced it

I doubt anybody missed it and I doubt than even one person here disagrees with it.

from the replys I read it seems many people, myself included feel it was how he went about making it does us more harm then good.

the fact is we need to drill that point into every single person that ever sets foot on public land. then we need to let the rest of the world see that is how we behave.

Point taken.

What you recommend is exactly what needs to happen.

At least the BB letter *seems* to have gotten the ball rolling though. Let's try to keep it rolling.

anybody have a link to BB website ? I seem to have misplaced it

http://www.bb4wa.com/

Point taken.

What you recommend is exactly what needs to happen.

At least the BB letter *seems* to have gotten the ball rolling though. Let's try to keep it rolling.


well that sir is the $64,000 dollar question. how do we keep the ball rolling and get everybody on the same page so we can have the greatest effect ?

how he went about making it (his point, "I am just tired of having people trash up the place regardless of the type of sport or mode of recreation they seem to enjoy") does us more harm then good.

the fact is we need to drill that point (how he went about poorly making his point understood) into every single person that ever sets foot on public land. then we need to let the rest of the world see that is how we behave.


I added a little wording to help communicate my take on the rant (and methodology employed to gain attention to the cause of responsible recreation).

I have Del Albright's "A Call to Quills!" posted on my office wall. In Del's call, points one and two apply to how we publicize our distaste for the dipwads as much as much as how we earn the image as dipwads (using Del's words for the ignorant).

If we continue to carelessly generalize every dirt road participant into the ranks of land abusers, in rant after rant, we fail to paint a distinction between those who wheel responsibility and those who wheel outside the law. If we fail to discriminate (be careful with what we say and report,) in Del's words, "2. We deserve some of the bad press -- we are not policing our own."

Does Bill read like he believes he needs his generalizations and divisive accusations policed?

I read the threads and found examples of where a few were asking for some policing of the words we publish (calls for proof of unlawful activity, caution against generalizations and division between types of vehicles and owners, etc.) and the messengers were attacked. Attacks and division, and the report that started the discussion is defended, even as it appears to be partial fabrication -- just to impress a hard to comprehend point (a point lost in the divisive generalizations painting many segments of wheelers as evil to the environment)?

What did Dell say, "1. Our image is so tainted we're an easy target for bad press and closures due to the few yeh-hoos and dip-wads out there."

I hope Bill understands his intended point is lost in the divisive accusations and generalizations contained in his rant, and that when he choose to point the finger of blame at the few by generalizing the guilt on many, he should have realized he had a few other fingers of blame pointing back at himself (for not policing his comments to accurately apply blame where it's deserved). Writing in an overly general style of accusation makes us an easy target for bad press, because we fail to define the true target of our distaste (we become our own worst enemy).

What ball do you want to keep rolling, the divisive ball of unconsidered and generalized bad press (from our own ranks), or targeted consideration of identifying the true problems and solutions?

Happy Trails!

Ed

Thank you for your input and summary. I only wish I had the communication skills you possess.


The ball I would like to keep rolling is getting more people reading this Land Use forum and inspiring them to take action.