Paul "Barky" Dionne


Biography

I am, quite simply, a National Park System enthusiast and collector. I have visted over 100 of them so far. The parks dovetail quite nicely into two of my interests: American history and the natural world. Having no other qualifications than amateur studies and personal explorations of the NPS, I am posting essays of my observations, experiences, and insights in my own blog, americaincontext.com.

Homepage:
America In Context


Paul's Most Recent Comments (view all)
  • 8/25/2008 5:36 pm - The Economist Warns that America’s National Park System is in Deep, Deep Trouble : Just to respond to the somewhat vitriolic attitude of some that I, or other like-minded folks on this board, are "environmental whackos", I will only say this: Is it that horrible that we advocate preservation of a small percentage of this country in as pristine a condition as is possible ...
  • 8/24/2008 5:20 pm - The Economist Warns that America’s National Park System is in Deep, Deep Trouble : Um, good?? The NPS system's primary mission, IMO, is the preservation of undamaged natural ecosystems, unique natural features, and sites of national historic importance. What better way to preserve a site than have fewer visitors tromping around them? The thought that fewer people supporting the parks = less public funding ...
  • 8/17/2008 1:20 pm - Will Second Century Commission Succeed With Its National Parks Assessment and Recommendations? : Ted, where did you get the idea the NRA is backing the commission? I couldn't find that documented anywhere, do you have a link to any evidence? Also, what is wrong with the NPCA? Regarding the commission itself, I'm convinced that creating commissions is a cheap way to convince Americans ...
  • 8/16/2008 1:24 pm - Saguaro National Park Officials Considering Use of Microchips To Slow Theft of Namesake Cactus : Geez, thieves will steal anything ... ================================================= My travels through the National Park System: [url]americaincontext.com[/url]
  • 8/11/2008 4:34 pm - Why You Should Not Store Food in Your Car at Great Smoky Mountains National Park : So the first lesson, honestly, is not too obvious to visitors who haven't seen this video. Who'd think a black bear could do this to a car? I don't begrudge the owners of that car, they made an uninformed mistake, and that's that. Live and learn, and people who see ...
  • 8/06/2008 5:14 pm - National Park System Quiz 14: Historic Houses : Got 9, not too shabby :-) #12 is one of those questions where, once I read the answer, muttered "oh, of course, should've known". TR NP is my favorite NPS unit :-) =================================================== My travels through the National Park System: [url]americaincontext.com[/url]
  • 8/05/2008 3:00 pm - What Suggestions Do You Have For the National Park Service? : [quote]The best suggestion I have for the NPS is to free itself from the political toilet that is our "democracy" and create its own federal entity, unbeholden to the garbage that currently is responsible for allocating funding, and function as a self-sufficient "federal business".[/quote] I absolutely [i]love [/i]this idea! Although ...
  • 8/05/2008 2:55 pm - Oklahoma City National Memorial is a Fine Memorial, But It's Not a National Park : This is a case where I feel I am too close to make an objective call on this topic. I remember clearly that day when the Murrah Building was blown up, taking all those lives, including the kids in the day care center. I remember it so clearly because I ...
  • 8/05/2008 2:37 pm - How is Cape Hatteras National Seashore Faring Under Travel Restrictions? : Here we go with our beloved Congress again: they'll look at the economic downturn as an excuse to ramrod their own peeves through to legality. "Oh, the economy is bad, it must be because we aren't letting people tear up the beach with their ORVs." Forget that we have an ...
  • 8/05/2008 2:07 am - What Suggestions Do You Have For the National Park Service? : Yes, the problems [i]with[/i] the National Park Service are not problems [i]of[/i] the National Park Service, they are the problems of Congress and the Executive Branch. They simply do not care enough about the parks to adequately fund them. Without a Congress that cares enough to adequately fund the parks, ...