ROBUST discussion

On my blog there's an article about a minor court case in Oakland, CA. It's about journalistic and legal ethics failing.
http://coolmainpress.com/ajwriting/ar...

Never mind the article itself. Scroll right through it to the comments. These are presumably from mountain bikers and students. You should know that everyone knows and accepts that the mountain bikers who accused and condemn Vandeman are scofflaws forbidden to ride the walking trails he wants to protect. The overwhelming sense of selfish entitlement is absolutely obscene.

It's upsetting that someone trying to protect trails has been railroaded that way. Around here it's the ATV riders who have the obscene sense of entitlement - riding them on private property (not theirs, mind you) to the point that it takes years for the "wounds" to the earth to heal. The noise is unbelievable. I've taken them on (verbally, legally) when they've come onto my property and it is not for the faint of heart to stand up to someone who thinks they have the right to ride wherever they want, whenever they want. There were a few moments when I felt like I was channeling Edward Abbey. Thankfully the sheriff's office here is on the side of landowners when it comes to this kind of thing.

I'm a cyclist and hillwalker too but landowners smile at me and stop to chat and hold gates for me. They know I will do no damage. Of course, while the rest of the year I expect them to stay behind me on the narrow public lanes, in the planting and harvest seasons I stand knee deep in water in the ditch holding up my bike to let the wide farm machinery pass. One hand washes the other. There is no need for assertive behavior and lawyers.

You might want to correct that typo, Andre.

Doing no damage is the key to one hand washing the other. When damage has already been done, and efforts to work things out amicably fail, unfortunately sometimes there IS need for assertive behavior and legal recourse.

Thankfully in my case the offenders left (due to foreclosure) and after several years with an empty house/property across the lane, we have new, respectful neighbors who are interested in sharing riding trails (for horses) and my dressage arena and jump field.

Patricia Sierra wrote: "You might want to correct that typo, Andre."

Tsch. Now I've woken up the house. Soon you'll have me banned to the stables.

Embarrassing typo corrected. You hyenas will search in vain, and my friend Sierra won't tell you.

Andre is partially-correct. I won't tell -- unless you deposit sufficient funds in my Paypal account.