The thing is, with using probationary employees as a target, the administration is not only going after the easiest targets but essentially attempting to cut off the future of the agencies. These are the developing leaders, recent grads with all of the fresh science, the spark of enthusiasm, not yet disillusioned with decades of … red tape … that may have jaded them. It’s a knife to the throat ma dudette. Don’t worry, we are fighting back.
Hear Here. Well said. I think more and more people then ever of our generation are taking the current situation as a wake up call to get off our asses and get involved, and I think that's great. I wish I had done it before last November, that's for sure.
I agree with you 💯 percent, what you said was done in a polite but well worded manner. Being 63 I myself wouldn't have been so nice writing what you have. We've only been to one National Park which is the Sleeping Bear Sand dunes. But living in Michigan we have been to many of its State parks and recreation areas. Even though the state park system is state run, if the state stopped hiring the so called seasonal workers, then everything that had to be done in each park would have to be full filled by the small amount of full-time Rangers. Many parks here only one maybe two at the most. Of course the bigger parks have more, but to have to do their jobs that's required plus the so called menial jobs these parks would look not as kept up. I definitely enjoy reading what you have to say. Right now I'm in Kentucky visiting family. While looking out her sliding door I'm looking at the 3 to 4 inches of snow that fell last night. So enjoy the winter while you can.
You really bring it home. Reading news articles, a lot of what’s going on feels remote. People need to understand not what’s going on in Washington, but what is happening on the ground. This is the most valuable thing I’ve read since the madness began.
We're a civilization in its decline-and-fall now globally, succumbing to the inevitable laws of entropy. There isn't a scenario out there that won't be getting bleak. (Unless you're a vulture or a carrion-beetle.) Right now on this ball, a pettty and vindictive guy called Trump has maneuvered skillfully enough to have his moment to unleash his specific brand of virtue-sigalling to the equally vindictive base that elevated him. One way the larger picture is painting itself in this moment. Trump and his policies are a blip, one detail of a myriad, while where we're headed is permanent, at least relative to a human lifespan, or a score of such. I think it's important to recognize this, cos this is the script going forward. Contraction, mandated or not. The 20th Century was the party, the 21st is the hangover. There will be no shortage of ways to use your body and strength for good over the next few centuries. Increasingly little alternative to using your body and strength, perhaps.
Honestly I'd suggest starting to write letters to the editors of your local newspapers about the impacts your *your* community, particularly if you live close to federal public lands and have federal employees in your community (like a Forest Service station or a National Park nearby). We need to make this real for people in every single community across the West.
Amanda,please, they need to reach higher than local news papers. Congressmen, senators, local and regional USFS offices. Complain with purpose. End each communication with how can I help. Organize groups that can help as a team.
I appreciate this! I feel like I've been trying to find action items that people wouldn't already think of (like calling reps) but good to repeat those things, of course. Thanks for the reminder. But do you think calling local and regional offices is the most effective way to share concerns with the FS? (I'm asking genuinely and would love to hear your thoughts!)
The thing is, with using probationary employees as a target, the administration is not only going after the easiest targets but essentially attempting to cut off the future of the agencies. These are the developing leaders, recent grads with all of the fresh science, the spark of enthusiasm, not yet disillusioned with decades of … red tape … that may have jaded them. It’s a knife to the throat ma dudette. Don’t worry, we are fighting back.
I didn't even think about that—thanks for bringing it up. This is unfathomable.
Good point so true
Hear Here. Well said. I think more and more people then ever of our generation are taking the current situation as a wake up call to get off our asses and get involved, and I think that's great. I wish I had done it before last November, that's for sure.
Colorado's senator Michael Bennet had sharp words for the cuts today. https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=notif&v=1167195375011417¬if_id=1740001753467246¬if_t=live_video_explicit
I agree with you 💯 percent, what you said was done in a polite but well worded manner. Being 63 I myself wouldn't have been so nice writing what you have. We've only been to one National Park which is the Sleeping Bear Sand dunes. But living in Michigan we have been to many of its State parks and recreation areas. Even though the state park system is state run, if the state stopped hiring the so called seasonal workers, then everything that had to be done in each park would have to be full filled by the small amount of full-time Rangers. Many parks here only one maybe two at the most. Of course the bigger parks have more, but to have to do their jobs that's required plus the so called menial jobs these parks would look not as kept up. I definitely enjoy reading what you have to say. Right now I'm in Kentucky visiting family. While looking out her sliding door I'm looking at the 3 to 4 inches of snow that fell last night. So enjoy the winter while you can.
You really bring it home. Reading news articles, a lot of what’s going on feels remote. People need to understand not what’s going on in Washington, but what is happening on the ground. This is the most valuable thing I’ve read since the madness began.
💯 Amanda. Those boots in the ground are so critical to everything. Such a great piece thank you for adding your voice to this.
Thank you, hope to see you out on the li e again.
This is all so heartbreaking. Thanks for documenting and storytelling the reality.
We're a civilization in its decline-and-fall now globally, succumbing to the inevitable laws of entropy. There isn't a scenario out there that won't be getting bleak. (Unless you're a vulture or a carrion-beetle.) Right now on this ball, a pettty and vindictive guy called Trump has maneuvered skillfully enough to have his moment to unleash his specific brand of virtue-sigalling to the equally vindictive base that elevated him. One way the larger picture is painting itself in this moment. Trump and his policies are a blip, one detail of a myriad, while where we're headed is permanent, at least relative to a human lifespan, or a score of such. I think it's important to recognize this, cos this is the script going forward. Contraction, mandated or not. The 20th Century was the party, the 21st is the hangover. There will be no shortage of ways to use your body and strength for good over the next few centuries. Increasingly little alternative to using your body and strength, perhaps.
Serious question, how can we advocate?!
Honestly I'd suggest starting to write letters to the editors of your local newspapers about the impacts your *your* community, particularly if you live close to federal public lands and have federal employees in your community (like a Forest Service station or a National Park nearby). We need to make this real for people in every single community across the West.
Amanda,please, they need to reach higher than local news papers. Congressmen, senators, local and regional USFS offices. Complain with purpose. End each communication with how can I help. Organize groups that can help as a team.
I appreciate this! I feel like I've been trying to find action items that people wouldn't already think of (like calling reps) but good to repeat those things, of course. Thanks for the reminder. But do you think calling local and regional offices is the most effective way to share concerns with the FS? (I'm asking genuinely and would love to hear your thoughts!)