leroydb 0 #1 October 24, 2007 http://www.basejumper.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2879232#2879232Leroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tink1717 2 #2 October 24, 2007 WHAT?!?! Boycott bridge day and give the NPS an ironclad excuse to end it permanently? No one outside of the jumping community will stand up for BASE jumping. The arguments of local merchants will fall on deaf ears and the only thing that will result is a total ban on bridge day jumping. To boycott would be , at best, counterproductive. Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off. -The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!) AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #3 October 24, 2007 NickDGHow effective it would be in the end, in getting us access in other places, I'm not entirely sure... NickDG has posed the argument about playing "our trump card." That is we say, "No El Cap – No Bridge Day." He also says: QuoteAnother thing is the Rangers know they are in a tough spot as with every successful Bridge Day their argument that BASE jumping is too dangerous for other NPS sites gets lamer and lamer. And while I'm not suggesting we actually do this, I'm sure the Ranger's are wondering why we haven't yet played our trump card. And that would be No El Cap – No Bridge Day. If we just had the balls to not show up one year at Bridge Day over the issue the WV locals would side with us, and the townies would descend on the Rangers with torches and pitchforks. But it will never happen as it would mean "organizing" so we'll just continue to be jerked around by the government. NickDG But let's just dream for a moment. If we announced we weren't coming next year right now, a few days after this Bridge Day, it would give the community a whole year to work on the NPS, I'm sure even the Governor of WV would get involved. And you know what? Rather than be seen as the reason there were no BASE jumpers at Bridge Day 2008, there's a pretty good chance the NPS would cave and issue us permits for some early morning jumping in Yosemite. QuoteHow effective it would be in the end, in getting us access in other places, I'm not entirely sure, but I do know the free coffee and donuts for Rangers, the blind eye when a Ranger books a local hotel room with a hooker, and the general good will from locals who mistakenly believe the NPS consists of "Ricky, the friendly Park Rangers" would all disappear. That just in itself would be worth us skipping Bridge Day just once. And the locals who depend on the monies collected from Bridge Day would naturally ask, "Where are the BASE jumpers?" And the story in all the local papers, every single one of them, would be laying out our case for us. There is no good reason permits shouldn't be issued to us for jumps in Yosemite. And the answer the locals in WV would automatically come to is, "What’s the difference? If they can jump here, they can jump there." ============= *** What hasn't been mentioned is that many of the jumpers at Bridge Day are first timers or skydivers making Bridge Day jumps. They are not REAL BASE jumpers who jump more then 1 day a year. They could care less about getting any other sites legalized. They get one opportunity a year and they are going to jump when they get it. A "no show" will not happen for that simple fact. I agree in the sense that there will never be a total no show unless BD is canceled, but there can be a significant number of no shows... *** I think a smaller, but still moderately effective statement could be made if we all wore tee shirts with a "Let us jump in other National Parks Too" message - with a memorized speech every one of us would say to every press person and every spectator whenever they asked us any question. This is another great idea *** On boycotting bridge day, I think the better course of action would be to send reps in to talk to the local businesses about our agenda and possible effects. Hurting their business isn't the best way to get them on our side. An ultimatum to the NPS would be more effective if the jumpers and town were on the same page before any of the "boycott" threats began. The town and locals would be putting pressure on the NPS before the jumpers even opened their mouths. I think this more grassroots approach leaves better "outs" and has a better chance for success than one climactic stand. In addition, there's no need for this method to be limited to one year . . . it could be carried out over many years in succession. Just think, local businesses increasing their worry each addition year that NPS doesn't allow BASE in parks and increasing their pressure---all without base jumpers publicly saying a word. We stay the good guys and oppressed; not some group of crazed misguided freedom fighters. What I see ar a bunch of great ideas brewing, and know that not just one tactic will accomplish the tash at hand. It will take many people, and ideas, supporting one unified goal of leagalizing jumping in National Parks. I think Jason Bell posted a PDF file of NPS Discriminations against BASE jumpers... Maybe he could chime in? I believe that no one (including me) wants to hurt any one, be it Jason or the towns-people, so I'd like to get Jason's Perspective on how best to address this so as to not hurt him or the town at large... leroyDBLeroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #4 October 24, 2007 Its interesting to see that skydivers dont support this, while BASE jumpers do.... looking at current polls anyway..Leroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #5 October 25, 2007 on BASEjumper.com 36 BASE jumper say conduct BD 50 BASE jumper say do not conduct BDLeroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rudderow 2 #6 October 25, 2007 I'm a skydiver and a wannabe BASE jumper. I think the boycott is a good idea. there could still be BD 09 if we do it right. (buy a slot, but don't show) i also like the idea about memorizing the speech to tell the press if asked any question. making our own shirts. getting press behind us. PMS #165 Swooo #613 CSA #687 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broke 0 #7 October 25, 2007 Can't we just oncduct bridge day and use that to show how safe base is. Boycotting it sounds to me like cutting you nose to spite your face. Perhaps while the Bridgeday event is going off hand out leaflets and fliers to the locals urging them to write in to the NPSDivot your source for all things Hillbilly. Anvil Brother 84 SCR 14192 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #8 October 25, 2007 That may be a good ide, but it will will take more tha psychological leaflets to get the NPS to change it's archaic law designed to stop hunters from resupplying themselves...Leroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #9 October 25, 2007 Quote WHAT?!?! Boycott bridge day and give the NPS an ironclad excuse to end it permanently? No one outside of the jumping community will stand up for BASE jumping. The arguments of local merchants will fall on deaf ears and the only thing that will result is a total ban on bridge day jumping. To boycott would be , at best, counterproductive. And we have a winner. To see how this would work you need only look as far as Dublin, Ga. to see what kind of support you will get from the locals. People don't care enough about anything to get involved and/or spend their time fighting for it. I would venture to say the only effort you would see from the local level would be looking for someone else to do it if Jason said he was not going to. In fact in would not surprise me to find out that someone has contacted the folks in Dublin since I will not hold that event again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,131 #10 October 25, 2007 > WHAT?!?! Boycott bridge day and give the NPS an ironclad excuse to >end it permanently? It won't be an issue, because it will never happen. BASE jumpers are even more disorganized than skydivers, and less apt to listen to political arguments. "What? Boycott? Fuck that shit, I'm a BASE jumper, not a politician, and I'm gonna jump - because that's what real BASE jumpers do." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
