OK OK, first off, nice work EZ. I think that is awesome.
Second, and I hope I don't get lynched, I think this is a poorly targeted message. While I agree 2000% that we should fight for keeping land open, I think claiming that our "family tradition" is more important than "1000 year old graffiti" is a bit unfair. I'm not saying family tradition is not important, but in order to motivate the masses and bring our plight to the majority of decision makers (aka voters) we need to show that we understand and are sensitive to ALL environmental issues, and that our use of the land does not compromise them in any way. "1000 year old graffiti" is an important cultural symbol and historic icon in American history. Calling it 'graffiti' devalues it and I think many people would cringe at that (I did). Obviously a 4wd vehicle is not going to negatively effect petroglyphs/pictographs, but statements like that sound like we just don't care.
Also, stating that roads were built by pioneers in the 1800's is true and can be used to our advantage, but we have to be conscious of how the environmentalist position that fact and which position is more logical to the common person......Environmental organizations say that these roads were around a century ago, but have no destinations or need anylonger and haven't been used in some cases for years. That makes sense to a common voter that doesn't know the difference. "why would we need roads that the pioneers used to bring wagons on...we have highways now to get around" We can't promote the use of roads that have fallen out of use for decades (nor do I think that you are), but we have every damn right to use roads that have been used for decades. We need to make sure that it comes off that we are using roads that have always been around and have been used by people for yeras---a statment like "roads that have been used since the 1800's" sounds better than "old roads built by pioneers in the 1800's". That makes it sound like these roads are old--out of date--etc. These roads aren't old roads, they are just roads that exist and have existed for a long time.
Also, while I agree that the amount of unlicensed and unregistered rigs is a problem (I have one
), I think citing them as irresponsible is unfair as well. It's difficult to register these vehicles (which is no excuse) but some people don't do it. I would much rather have 5000 unregistered, uninsured buggies on the trail than 5 dirt jumpin redneck assholes in their 78 CJ7's or Ford Highboys out there tossing beercans and driving across the brush. I think the majority of the people that drive highly modified rigs are environmentally aware--or at least there is an equal proportion of jack-asses that screw it up that have keys to buggies as they do to properly licensed and registered rigs. The lack of licensing/insurance is a problem for sure, but I think it's a somewhat different problem than what is being addressed in the videos. I don't see the connection between that and the road being closes---nor do I see a connection between buggies and increased land destruction. It's like saying that guns kill people----thats BS. People kill people, assholes destroy land. You put the keys to a CJ5 or a buggy in the hands of a dipshit and the results will be the same. Thats a fact.
Anyways, I think that is awesome work, I just think that if our message is going to get accross to people who are less aware of these issues, we need to be sure and position our message accordingly.
Cody
