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Survey Says National Park Service Is Far from the Best Government Agency to Work For

Nov 16th - 19:37pm | Anonymous

I am a park ranger and I agree entirely with the description of issues above.

Guest Column: The Keystone XL Pipelines And Coal Hollow Mines Of America

Nov 16th - 19:07pm | Kurt Repanshek

OK folks, we're going to cut things off with that last comment. Things are straying a wee bit too far from the parks. Also, that Fox story fails to mention, I believe, that the Solyndra loan actually started with the Bush administration, so there's likely enough blame to go around.

Nov 16th - 18:39pm | Anonymous

Keeper:  This is related because it's a part of the bigger picture about the decisions involving the Keystone effort. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/16/solyndra-case-reveals-gateway...

Nov 16th - 16:06pm | Keeper

There's a bigger picture here to be considered.  Seriously hope the environmental  community and their representatives can experience a breakthrough of reason.  

Nov 15th - 09:58am | justinh

ecbuck,  

Nov 15th - 09:56am | David Crowl

Keystone XL officials have now agreed to reroute the pipeline and avoid the sand hills of Nebraska. Again, this was accomplished by enviromental groups putting their message out there...and gaining public support, which in the end prompted a debate in the State Legislature.

Nov 15th - 09:40am | ecbuck

You can't say they have hidden evidence but you claim I can't see how they have.  It is perplexing how you can't see the difference.  Alarmists have clearly made attempts to suppress data and quiet the skeptics.  Alarmists are the ones trying to hide the real science.  The skeptic side hasn't done that.  You say I haven't seen it because of my ideology but by our own admissions, it (hiding evid

Nov 15th - 08:45am | justinh

"Please show me where skeptics have hidden evidence and banded together to suppress the voices of others." The sentence doesn't make any sense.  How would skeptics "hide evidence"?  Evidence of what?  Their skepticism?  Evidence of climate change?--I certainly can't say they've hidden evidence of this.

Nov 15th - 08:30am | Anonymous

Don't know about the skeptics banding together but those that are tempted by profit from Climate Change Politics one way or another, have and use the very typical personal slurs trying to discredit the opposition voice.  Science has been co-opted by many.  Where do the non-agenda based scientists hang out?  They probably lay low, afraid of losing their funding.  

Nov 15th - 08:17am | Anonymous

No, ecbuck, as anyone can see who reads the article you linked to, Professor Curry never uses the words "misuse" and disguise."  Those of the words of the article's author, not hers.  Which is why HER words are directly presented in The Boston Herald article I quoted above; it was her oppotunity to debunk the story you cite.

Nov 15th - 08:16am | ecbuck

Justin - Please show me where skeptics have hidden evidence and banded together to suppress the voices of others.

Nov 15th - 07:55am | justinh

I know you "don't see" it, ecbuck.  That's a mark of ideology.  Which means there's nowhere for this conversation to go.

Nov 14th - 20:45pm | ecbuck

Anon - Sorry, I stand correct "withheld" wasn't the right word.  "Misused" , "disguised" "does not end the debate" Those were the words of Curry.

Nov 14th - 19:17pm | Anonymous

"some important information was withheld causing other major participants in the study to protest"--Not true.  In the article you posted, ecbuck, this quote refers to Judith Curry.  But she herself debunks it in The Boston Herald:

Nov 14th - 18:40pm | A Phoenix Rising

Polarized indeed. Only a symptom. Will anyone stop for 5 seconds trying to come uppin' eachother. Leadership at so many levels is lacking. On this particular subject - having/needing fuel/energy - for what? When will we examine our needs from a thoughtful and responsible perspective. Smaller carbon footprint - What is it's value proposition to this dilemma.

Nov 14th - 18:37pm | justinh

ecbuck,   Ugh.  You're missing the point of my post.  Take another look at what I wrote.

License Tag Law Threatens Support for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Nov 16th - 16:26pm | smokey

The conspiracy theorists, like the poor, will always be with us. If you question the need for this law, just look t the photo of the bottom plate. Anything missing .... like the state name? Anyone think black numbers on a dark green background are easily seen? ... at night ? G et a grip.

Nov 16th - 16:17pm | Virtual Blue Ri...

Hey Ridinwind... just wanted to let you know that such a plate for motorcycles does exist for the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We were involved with helping the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation get enough initial plate signups so that it could be produced.  It's now been in production for a little over a year.

Nov 16th - 15:58pm | John

What does this have to do with it?????? .... Yes it's all about politics. The state rep who introduced this bill wants to get rid of plates such as Friends of the Smokies, Blue Ridge Parkway and the ATC. Yet he wants to keep his anti abortion plate.

Nov 16th - 15:43pm | Regina

Hello, I myself LOVE the  Friends of the Smokies Tags and will continue to Support the  Smokies.Besides the purchase of the tags I also a  member of the Friends of the Smokies.My Family  and I  do alot of  Camping at Cades Cove.So the money is  well spent on the camp grounds and bathrooms ect.The tags are really cool looking and I will continue to support the Smokies.Thank you

Nov 16th - 15:27pm | Danny Bernstein

Hi ecbuck:   Yes, I am referring to NC house bill 289. Thanks for clarifying this. The Friends groups most affected by this legislation has been meeting with various legislators to see if there's any kind of a compromise. Any North Carolinian can write to their legislators and voice their opinion. Danny Bernstein

Nov 16th - 14:29pm | Concerned Taxpayer

The author in support of their position wrote: "The legislature has added a "Respect Life" plate without adding a "Respect Choice" plate. Mitch Gillespie, the Republican who sponsored the legislation, really wanted an anti-choice plate and some say it's all a cover for getting an anti-choice plate approved. Of course, the

Nov 16th - 12:49pm | PRoyer

To find the reason for such legislation, one should always "follow the money." I suspect that campaign contributions by the companies that profit from traffic camera fines are the real motivation behind this legislation.

Nov 16th - 12:00pm | RidinWind

I would hate to see those plates go away. It would be cool to have one similar for a Motorcycle. Now that's the way to enjoy the Blue Ridge Pkwy!

Nov 16th - 08:31am | ecbuck

I assume you are referring to  SESSION LAW 2011-392  HOUSE BILL 289?  I must say it is very confusing.  At one point it says they (the existing specialty plates you refer to) are exempt and then it seems to say they need to be replaced but they are not listed on the acceptible replacements.  Are you sure the intent is to replace these plates?  Have you talked to the sponsoring legislators to ge

How Much Did Those New Units Of The National Park System Cost You?

Nov 16th - 12:34pm | d-2

-- a sustainable strategy SHOULD be a factor in considering new parks, especially in urban areas or in the midst of places people live. 

Nov 15th - 21:48pm | Lee Dalton

But on the other hand, if we don't preserve them now, when will we? And on the other hand, how do we determine which are really worthy of park status and which are political pork? Where is Solomon when you need him?

Nov 15th - 20:17pm | KayGeeJay

Back to the original question: it does seem unwise to be creating new financial liabilities when we are not sure how to support the existing parks.

Nov 15th - 18:21pm | Rick Smith

Gee, Anon 1, think about this.

Nov 15th - 16:12pm | Lee Dalton

d-2 -- an excellent and sensible reply.  But sensible answers and facts are no match for ideology.

Nov 15th - 15:26pm | d-2

Several needed clarifications:

National Park Quiz 100: Ringer VI

Nov 16th - 11:04am | Bob Janiskee

We've been over this ground before. Each of the 397 units of the National Park System is prperly termed a national park. There are consequently 397 national parks. Of these 397 national parks, only 58 are National Park-designated. The rest are designated something else. For example, 10 national parks are National Seashore-designated and 11 national parks are National Battlefield-designated.

Nov 16th - 10:11am | Kurt Repanshek

The professor's away today, Anonymous, so I'll have to stand in for him. In theory, you're correct...but it might have been more incorrect if the question had been written, "...in a unit of the National Park System designated as a 'national park.'"

Nov 16th - 09:32am | Anonymous

Your question # 3 is also false as it was written.  There are only 58 National Parks and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is not one of them.  If the question had asked "....which....ship...in the San Francisco waterfront is a national park service area or used the term National Historical Park"  then the answer would be true.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Underrated and Understated

Nov 16th - 10:59am | Anonymous

Cuyahoga Valley ISN'T worthing of being a National Park. In fact, designating it as a National Park denigrates the other parks which are worthy. CV is not a bad place, has some nice places, but overall doesn't meet the grandeur, majestic or uniqueness criteria for being a National Park (think Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Glacier, Arcadia, Crater Lake, Denali, etc).

BLM Considering Proposal To Expand Coal Mine Near Bryce Canyon National Park

Nov 16th - 09:34am | MarkM

Please don't let them "ignore it to death". Investigate it. Report it. We want to know the whole truth!

Four Men Given Jail Time For Digging Up Gingseng In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Nov 15th - 21:46pm | Lee Dalton

People need to remember that there are two kinds of "redistribution of wealth."  Upward and downward. In the past few years, we've seen a lot of both.  It all depends upon where you stand in the economic spectrum.

Nov 15th - 18:09pm | Anonymous

Correction:  If a family NEEDED meat or fish to feed their families....

Nov 15th - 17:52pm | Anonymous

Rick, not endorsing anything but taking steps to encourage, not discourage this economy. Look around the world at depressed or nearly nonexistent economies and what options people look to.  Congratulations on your proper use of Food Stamps.  That's what it was designed for.   I believe it's very serious out there and things just can't be explained away.

Nov 15th - 17:27pm | Anonymous

No Lee, again no.  Redistribution of wealth is definitely not a conservative tenet.   Exclusively a Democratic, class warfare exercise at buying votes, period!  I'm at least, respectful.  Can't believe you posted what you did.  Certainly not deserving of posting on this site, I would think.  

Nov 15th - 16:09pm | Lee Dalton

Poaching and stealing are conservative methods of exercising personal responbility.  As long as you don't take anything that might belong to one of them. 

Nov 15th - 14:51pm | Rick B.

Am I understanding your anonymous comment correctly? You defend poaching because of the economy? And you say that poaching is more dignified than using a social safety net that is legal and available?

Nov 15th - 11:53am | Anonymous

Always been some form and quantity of poaching but I don't think we've seen anything yet when you factor in the worsening economics and anti-reasonable job creation politics.   People's idea of reason changes when the obstacles to their survival are increasingly seen as discouraging if not impossible.  Food Stamps safety net?

Blue Ridge Parkway Management Alternatives Draw More Than A Little Debate

Nov 15th - 18:12pm | Zebulon

What a surprise.  The horseriders are getting preferential treatment (without any kind of rational argumentation) while cyclists get the shaft...

Celebrate Earth Day With A Trip To Florida Bay And Everglades National Park

Nov 15th - 17:20pm | Anonymous

I LOOOVVEE THE FLORIDA BAY

Call To Action: Building A $1 Billion Endowment For The National Parks

Nov 15th - 16:12pm | Kurt Repanshek

It's all in the chalkboard stage at this point to the best of my knowledge, Ted. Hopefully in the coming months some structure will start to materialize.

Nov 15th - 16:08pm | Ted

Kurt, with all the controversy swirling around about the integreity of the Park Service (Drakes Bay Oyster Company, corporate influence to keep plastic bottles in Grand Canyon, Billy Malone Indian Trader) it seems there should be transparency and oversight outside of Interior/NPS for a multi-billion dollar endowment. Any thoughts or insight as to the structure of such?

"Vital Signs" Report From Yellowstone National Park Points To Areas Of Concern In Park's Health

Nov 15th - 08:34am | Lee Dalton

Director George Hartzog in his 1988 book, Battling for the National Parks:

Birding in the National Parks: Northern Saw-Whet Owls At Assateague Island National Seashore

Nov 15th - 07:58am | Kirby Adams

I should add that setting up a mist net to catch migratory birds isn't something you can just go somewhere and do. It's not legal! There is a permitting process that reviews the research being done and the methods used. In this case there was also additional permission required from Assateague Island National Seashore, for which they should be applauded. 

Historians in Body Armor - NPS Staffers Document Ancient Towers in Afghanistan

Nov 14th - 22:20pm | Don Morris

Bravo!

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.