My entire nervous system is reeling with shock. The skies over Olympic National Park --- where I take my family to vacation every year --- are about to be converted into a permanent “training range” for Electromagnetic Warfare practice. WHAT?!? In school, I learned that the National Parks belong to all of us, the American People. When did THAT change? Is this no longer true? If it IS still true, shouldn’t the decision on whether to turn our National Parks into "military training ranges” be a decision for all Americans to weigh in on? As Ms. Audrey Peterman has asked, shouldn't we be having “a national conversation” about something of this magnitude?
Some burning questions:
WHY is this decision in the hands of one government agency --- the US Forest Service?
WHY is the Forest Service --- whose tagline is “Caring for the Land, Serving the People” --- ignoring the public outcry? AND disregarding many eminent scientists who warn that inflicting such a violent assault on this fragile and pristine ecosystem could damage it irrevocably?
Olympic National Park’s beauty is so spectacular, its ancient rainforests so rare, and its lifeforms so diverse, it has been declared a “World Heritage Site” by the United Nations. Two great American Presidents --- Theodore Roosevelt and FDR --- recognized the uniqueness of this place, how precious and valuble it was. That is why they gave it the strongest protection possible, so that Americans would be able to enjoy it forever. As in forever.
WHY isn’t every possible alternative for training the Navy's pilots being considered --- such as the huge swaths of barren lands the Department of Defense already owns --- the millions of acres that have been set aside specifically for just this kind of dangerous activity?
If this activity is permitted in one of the most gorgeous and popular of our National Parks, what will happen to the rest of our National Parks? Isn't this setting a dangerous precedent? If this ill-conceived Navy plan gets the 'green light', won't all of our National Parks be vulnerable to being converted into "military training ranges"?
It appears that our great nation has arrived at a critical threshold, and the essential question before us is this: Does keeping our military forces “adequately trained” require that we sacrifice our National Parks?
Is the American public ready and willing to hand over its "Crown Jewels" to the Department of Defense?
Before we answer that, it would behoove us to pause. Let us take a breath. A deep one --- out in the fresh air. Perhaps underneath a tree, sitting on the ground, our haunches in direct contact with the Earth --- our shared "life-support system". We need to slow down here, and gain a broader perspective. Let us calm ourselves, and invite insight, that we may gain access to our inherent wisdom.
Why?
Because the outcome of this decision will have serious and longlasting impacts that will be experienced for generations to come. We might reflect upon the courage, the foresight, and the unselfishness of the heroes who created our National Parks. As Ken Burns’ PBS series on “America’s Best Idea” reveals, the battles these American heroes fought were long and arduous, for they were pitted against powerful foes whose vision was stunted by immediate concerns.
These great men and women fought bravely, with tireless persistance --- for us, the “unborn generations of Americans”. They did not know us, but they cared deeply about us. I believe they wanted us to experience not only the exquisite beauty of these spectacular landscapes, but the profound spiritual renewal that these wild places offer to our stressed-out civilization. For those of us who are open and receptive, the generative powers of the natural world are palpable. The silent hush of the woods, syncopated only with birdsong and the gentle babble of a rushing creek restores my sanity and nourishes my soul.
And I wonder: Don’t we owe it to to these great American heroes to uphold their legacy?
Is it not our moral and spiritual duty, as Americans, to fiercely protect these lands? Isn’t it our responsiblity to our grandchildren---and to the generations of Americans yet to be born, to safeguard America's "Crown Jewels"--- our National Parks?
Will future generations look back upon us and wonder how we stood by and snoozed as "America's Best Idea" was undermined and denigrated by "America's Worst Idea?"
Shouldn't all of these questions be answered before the Forest Service grants the Navy permission to use our public lands for an “Electronic Warfare Training Range”?
And shouldn’t the answers to these questions be rendered from the American public at large?
Thank you, Ms. Peterman, for alerting us to the crisis that is at hand. Your words are fiery... I can feel President Roosevelt’s spirit roaring through you. Burn hot and bright, Oh Fire of Awakening! Put a torch to the thick "cloud of apathy" that has engulfed America and made us all a bit stupid.
ALERT, ALERT! America's Crown Jewels are being stolen from beneath us... as we sleep!
YOUR voice is needed! To save Olympic National Park,
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