Quote:If the government feels that they have to govern to the lowest common denominator, we are all in trouble. I think, if you will research some of the various companies, agencies and departments, whether private or public have a huge book of 'Policies & Procedures' somewhere...For the most part, everyone of them was inspired by the 'lowest common denominator' screw up, or group of screw ups, so I guess we are all in trouble...
Take this website for example...We have a censor program to attempt to prevent curse words so that is can be 'family' oriented for young children, but we still have some that will substitute various symbols to get around the process...We have rules in the ToS that are necessary because various members come on thinking that they have the 'freedom' to say whatever they choose to other members...So let's not go there...
As to the National Parks and access, I'm a frequent visitor the the Canaveral National Sea Shore and Wildlife Area...An area approximately 10 miles by 40 miles along the Atlantic Ocean...There are some great trails and roads that are accessible by vehicle (only on road permitted) and areas that are foot traffic only...The area is staffed by a cadre of Conservation Officers and Rangers that maintain and monitor visitors to the point of running radar along the roadways that have somewhat restrictive speed limits...
I'm also disabled due to a couple of health issues that limit my ability to walk very far on level ground, much less going uphill, so there are areas that I cannot enjoy..No Handicap Permits for off roading of which I'm aware here...
In my home state of Missouri, there are many of the same restrictions, with the exception that I can obtain a special handicap permit for off road access by State Conservation District only...
We are always going to have those that fail to respect their environment, just as we have those that fail to respect local and state established laws and while I'm not in favor of a "Police State", we are seriously lacking in our education of our citizens at an early age for the last several decades for the need to follow established rules and exercising common courtesy in this country....The lack of community support for activities such as the Scouting program is part of it..While I was raised 'in family' to 'leave no sign' of my passing, the Boy Scouts further reinforced that concept...
Primarily, I'm in favor of opening, or keeping open as much public land as possible, but I also see the need to pay for monitoring in general the activities of those that visit it...Even then, there will be those that want to gripe about being monitored, or will work to find ways around established regulation...