[pct-l] Words about the HERD

[dsaufley at sprynet.com]

Brian,

I enjoyed your remarks.  Just one thing:  just how effective do you think it would be to walk around to a bunch of people who are having a party and tell them that their party is causing problems, not now, but later?  I'd get kicked out and laughed at.  They don't care -- they want to drink beer and visit with their friends! It wouldn't work at all.  And besides, I'd be too busy visiting with all of our trail friends, and would get completely distracted (been there, done that). 

I had also tried working through "channels" as they're called, when I was an ADZ organizing committee member. That went nowhere, and was extremely frustrating. Bottomline, I disagree with the fundamental purpose of their event, which is a starting event.  So, if I don't think it's right to stage a starting event, I cannot support it. 

I've given this a great deal of thought, and believe that not supporting the event, and letting people know why, is the most effective way I can use my name and position in the community to get the message out there.  And, it has been effective in that I started a dialogue two years ago that hasn't stopped, which was more than was being discussed before. 

To me, boycotting is a great pacifist tactic, that can yield great results.  

L-Rod




-----Original Message-----
>From: Brian Forestell <briandid at telusplanet.net>
>Sent: Mar 13, 2007 5:46 PM
>To: Pea Hicks <phix at optigan.com>, pct-l at mailman.backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] Words about the HERD
>
>Fellow hikers and lovers of the PCT!
>
>Permit me to make a couple of observations. I have been a small town lawyer 
>for 25 years and over that time I have watched and tried to help people 
>resolve conflict. What I have observed is that the classical way that we all 
>try to "resolve" conflict is to try to convince the other person that they 
>are wrong. Take a look yourselves. . Observe others and observe yourself and 
>see if this is true. We debate with the other person as to whether they are 
>right. Watch what you do yourself with your spouse, mother, brother, girl 
>friend, buddy. Watch what happens when there is a conflict. What generally 
>happens is debate:  .  "I'm upset.  You shouldn't be upset...you have no 
>right to be upset.  I do to, you jerk.  You're the one being the jerk, your 
>always being a jerk...."  . I am not sure why we have evolved to do things 
>this way, it is just the way we do it. What we need to all learn, me as 
>well, is that this approach NEVER WORKS. Marriages break down, business 
>partnerships break apart, families disintegrate, internet lists get 
>inflamed....all because no one has taught us how to resolve conflict. My 
>advice is to begin to see and appreciate how the other person feels and see 
>it from there point of view. People opposed to the Kick Off have some 
>legitimate concerns. People who want to party with the people they are 
>sharing the trail with before it starts have a good point to.
>
>We need to acknowledge that there are legitimate concerns regarding the 
>dispersal of the herd. Those concerns need to be addressed.. We should 
>engage in discussions about resolving those issues in a constructive and 
>compassionate way. What can we do as a hiking community to minimize the 
>effect of a bunch start? How can we have both a send off party and avoid 
>these problems? If we are constructive and compassionate we can figure out 
>solutions. If politicians would spend more time figuring things out and less 
>time trying to convince the other side that they are wrong we would have 
>peace in the world. If spouses were compassionate and resolved conflict 
>instead of debating endlessly over who is right marriages would survive. 
>Come on guys give it a try. Try saying, "Heh, you have a point. I can see 
>what your concerns are. Let's try to figure it out." Debating this conflict 
>isn't working? Let's be responsible before politicians and bureaucrats start 
>imposing decisions on us. Try organizing a backpacking trip in Glacier, 
>Montana and dealing with the quota/reservation system. Crazy. If we trample 
>Barrel Springs on Scissor Crossings campgrounds they will be closed. Then 
>what? What will happen if Warner Springs Post Office tells people, "Sorry it 
>is going to take a couple weeks to clear up backlog" What happens when the 
>water cache's are abandoned because it is too hard to keep up?
>
>People who are opposed to an Annual Kick Off should remember that is was and 
>is a natural evolution. In order to make it through to Canada before the 
>snow flies hikers are going to start towards the end of April. They are 
>going to want to visit with their fellow hikers. A celebration is going to 
>evolve. It is going to get bigger, It will then get organized. The 
>unofficial party becomes an official party.  That is what happens in 
>society.  Organizations evolve whether we want them to or not.
>
>Let's figure this out. Be nice.  Be respectful.   As for boycotting; that is 
>the, "If you are going to be that way, I am not going to talk to you" 
>approach to resolving conflict.  Another approach that doesn't work.  My 
>suggestion is that hikers discuss this at the Kick Off.  Just a suggestion
>
>respectfully,
>
>Brian
>
>_______________________________________________
>pct-l mailing list
>pct-l at backcountry.net
>unsubscribe or change options:
>http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l