"Even though Maine proclaims itself "Vacationland"...

[twochordcool]

on its license plates, the tourism business is suspect in towns such as Millinocket"

This statement could not be more true.

OK, you got the coast.

Hooray.

But the area within 50 miles of Moosehead Lake is only a horrific tree farm with potential - being threatened by large scale development.

Millinocket - the closest town to the most protected land in Maine (Baxter State Park) is filled with people with that are clinging reminiscently to the past - they'd rather have a devastated forest with high paying logging jobs than save the forest and consider other income possibilities.

I just can't understand these bitter, spiteful, insistent, redneck, backwards, archaic, dinosaur-minded people.

What I have to say to them:

LET IT GO.

SURRENDER.

And in 20 years, watch how many people love and enjoy true wilderness in Maine.

And feel good about it.

[Rik]

I just can't understand these bitter, spiteful, insistent, redneck, backwards, archaic, dinosaur-minded people.

What I have to say to them:

LET IT GO.

SURRENDER.

While I believe you are well intended and I admire your passion about the environment and wilderness you once again come off as rude and intolerant. Many of these "rednecks" have been making a living off the land for generations and may lack the skills or resources to just "surrender". And what makes you think they will even hear some rude city boy who just wants to "play" in the woods.
The above quote could very easily have been said by a developer. Or anyone that wants the land for their own purposes.
Sincerely,
One who plans to vacation in Maine this summer.

[kwc]

on its license plates, the tourism business is suspect in towns such as Millinocket"

This statement could not be more true.

OK, you got the coast.

Hooray.

But the area within 50 miles of Moosehead Lake is only a horrific tree farm with potential - being threatened by large scale development.

Millinocket - the closest town to the most protected land in Maine (Baxter State Park) is filled with people with that are clinging reminiscently to the past - they'd rather have a devastated forest with high paying logging jobs than save the forest and consider other income possibilities.

I just can't understand these bitter, spiteful, insistent, redneck, backwards, archaic, dinosaur-minded people.

What I have to say to them:

LET IT GO.

SURRENDER.

And in 20 years, watch how many people love and enjoy true wilderness in Maine.

And feel good about it.

I am curious to know if you've ever visited the area yourself ...

and curious to know what your response might be if someone from another part of the country decided that YOU were "bitter, spiteful, insistent, redneck, backwards, archaic, (and) dinosaur-minded" because you wouldn't move from YOUR home because they wanted the land for their purposes (regardless of what those purposes might be). where do you expect the people from Millinocket to go?

just curious ...

[redhawk]

As much as I want to protect as much of the wilderness as we have, I do understand the feelings of the people who's livlihood have depended on the forest and related industries for years. While I also believe that there are alternative economic means that can be developed, and that in some cases people have to accept that time has caused their source of income to become either obsolete through technology or unaceptable in order to ensure that the wilderness is not completely destroyed, I inderstand that those people who are directly affected have fears and resentments and a tendency to be resentful of all those who suggest that they need to change their ways. (tree-huggers, outsiders, government, etc.)

Whether you are aware of it or not, you are resortuing to the same namecalling, labeling, that they are. And it's counter productive.
That type of behavior only inreases the resentment and the stubborness to fight the change.

If you called me any of those names, you'd be going home stuffed upside down in a five gallon pail, regardless of how noble your intentions were.

We happened to be up in Millincocket last year and spent the night prior to our expedition on the Allagash. The only people who remotely resembled the descriptions you made were "outsiders" staying in the campground prior to white water rafting the next day. there are several people on this forum who can verify what i've said.

Our trip on the Allagash was very pleasant. They at least have a corridor- buffer area that is not cut in order for the river to remain somewhat wild. the only place there was any evidence of anything was logging trucks on a dirt road on the last five miles of the trip.

So, I would really watch how I describe people, especially if you ever want to accomplish any change. I am one of the more adversarial, confrontive people you will meet, but understanding and respectful discourse should always be the first option.

And...... it's always easy to "fix" things when you are not the one who has to change your way of life. Remenber that.

[Grandpa Paddler]

QUOTE=redhawk]

...I inderstand that those people who are directly affected have fears and resentments and a tendency to be resentful of all those who suggest that they need to change their ways

How true.

Whether you are aware of it or not, you are resortuing to the same namecalling, labeling, that they are. And it's counter productive.
That type of behavior only inreases the resentment and the stubborness to fight the change.

How true.

I am one of the more adversarial, confrontive people you will meet...

How true.

And...... it's always easy to "fix" things when you are not the one who has to change your way of life. Remenber that.

How true.

This is getting scary. I am in total agreement with Redhawk but at the same time, I understand the expressed sentiment of TWO....

[poconoron]

I, too, would like to see a significant area in Maine (in addition to Baxter State Park) permanently protected, but I see these "tree farms" as the next best thing. After all, wildlife species such as moose, lynx, coyotes, eagles and many, many others are thriving in Maine, so it can't be all bad.

I can understand your frustrations but would suggest you join the conservation organizations that are out there trying to prevent these tree farms from being sold off to private developers- that's the real danger. Ranting and raving on here accomplishes little........except venting.......

[twochordcool]

These people are in the minority as far as thinking goes, even if they are in the closest in proximity to the land, when including southern Maine, even if those same people want to refer to southern Mainers as "Northern Massachusetts".

Yes, I have been there - I was stationed at Brunswick NAS for 4 years.

Where would I expect them to go? Where there is constructive work that won't destroy the forest or develop the land. How's downstate?

I don't like insulting people.

But what I like even less is a few people standing in the way of something positive happening - for the environment AND for hundreds of thousands of people in the northeast.

I mean, they don't own the land - they just insist that they have jobs with companies that destroy the forest and grow one type of tree there...and spray herbicides to ensure that......oh, and are permitted to continue hunting and trapping there.

I'm sure some kind of deal could be worked out to allow some of the latter to continue.

I'm sorry, I just don't have much sympathy for them - a lot of them are just shooting themselves in the foot as they hold out hope that the past will come alive again.

And it would not be so terrible to move 3 hours from where you consider home, get a job with a future, and adjust -

and at the same time let their beloved forest heal and spend plenty of time there.

[redhawk]

These people are in the minority as far as thinking goes, even if they are in the closest in proximity to the land, when including southern Maine, even if those same people want to refer to southern Mainers as "Northern Massachusetts".

Yes, I have been there - I was stationed at Brunswick NAS for 4 years.

Where would I expect them to go? Where there is constructive work that won't destroy the forest or develop the land. How's downstate?

I don't like insulting people.

But what I like even less is a few people standing in the way of something positive happening - for the environment AND for hundreds of thousands of people in the northeast.

I mean, they don't own the land - they just insist that they have jobs with companies that destroy the forest and grow one type of tree there...and spray herbicides to ensure that......oh, and are permitted to continue hunting and trapping there.

I'm sure some kind of deal could be worked out to allow some of the latter to continue.

I'm sorry, I just don't have much sympathy for them - a lot of them are just shooting themselves in the foot as they hold out hope that the past will come alive again.

And it would not be so terrible to move 3 hours from where you consider home, get a job with a future, and adjust -

and at the same time let their beloved forest heal and spend plenty of time there.

[redhawk]

Justr a thought Two,

The People on the Cheyenne River Reservation that I come from, as well as many of the other Native People have expresed the same thoughts you have about most White people and fweel that most should be deported so that the land can eventually restore itself to the pristine shape that it was before the White man came.

They have as good a point, better actually, the n yours, and it would solve the envirnomental problems as well as the current immigration problems.

So, based on that truth, don't you think that if you moved to another country it would help the situation?

[Mavs00]

** ding, ding, ding..... TROLL alert **

Twochord, I've watched you post over the last few months, particularly as it relates to wilderness and wildlife management issues and while you may not know it....

You are an internet -TROLL-

I have kinfolk in Maine (in the paper industry too) and I'll go one farther than Rik did, and say it plain, you disgust me with your narrow-mindedness that you transparently mask with environmental concern..

[fvrwld]

I think Tim hit the nail on the head.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=twochordcool ??

[Kevin]

I'm no judge and jury, but this suspiscion has been brought to my attention in the past. There's an old saying in 12 step fellowships: "If it walks, quacks, and looks like a duck - it aint a pig!"

It's actually my fault, I need to stop referring people here! lol

http://forums.backpacker.com/thread.jspa?threadID=71979&tstart=135