So it has come down to it at last. The final nail in the coffin. The ending waltz on the dance floor. The last Pringle in the can. Or something. Either way, we have sworn in another president, we have upheld our particularly American brand of Democracy, and we are all certainly awaiting every politician to be taken into custody, executed, and then for Trump to rule forever. Q just has to be correct right? The track record is.... stunning? Pictured: Q at his computer, or something. Creator: Rembrandt | Credit: Hermitage Either way, our country has reached the dawning of a new administration. An event that has happened 45 previous times, and will undoubtedly happen many many more. But along the way, there was a bit of... discourse, if you could call it that. Most of it was spurned on by the greatest of all threats in this day and age, the Keyboard Warriors. Yes, this multi-class, 12th level, 5h Edition DnD champion has, for the last 5-6 years at least, had an alarmingly large a
It was a sunny morning in the summertime of 1903. Then President Theodore Roosevelt awoke inside his modest tent and noted the sunshine peering in. As he stepped out, he was greeted by majesty. The trees, taller than one could ever imagine, stretched towards the sky. The mountains, grand and noble, jutted forth at every angle, reminding of the immense power of the earth. The air was fresh and fragrant, birds sounded in the distance punctuated by the creaking of pines and flowing of rivers. A scraggly and bearded man walked up beside him. The man, skinny as he was, had a sinewy strength about him, and his face, lined and hard, spoke tomes about his wisdom and thoughtfulness. The man's name is John Muir. He puts an arm around the President, sticks his hand out in a sweeping motion over their surroundings. "This, Mr. President, is what we must preserve. This, is America." That day, our National Parks were born in earnest.
Now, while that story is no doubt mythologized to play up the majesty and importance of this undertaking, the truth of the matter is not far off. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt (ed note: DO NOT CALL HIM TEDDY TO HIS FACE!) toured Yosemite National Park with a cadre of secret service, waiters and porters and possibly even a senator or two. Along the way, they met up with noted conservationist John Muir, who, unbeknownst to the secret service, had asked Theodore if he was up for a bit of unscheduled camping and hiking. Never one to turn down an offer to give his guards a heart attack, the President proceeded to slip away from his entourage for a grand total of three days! I can only imagine how many wild animals the secret service interrogated for his location in that time frame.
What followed was a three day trek through the back country of Yosemite, with John Muir as his personal guide. Muir was a man who legends are written about. A staunch naturalist and conservationist, he believed that to preserve the natural beauty of the United States was of utmost importance, and that it needed to be achieved through any means necessary. At this time, the average American citizen regarded the various forests and wild areas of the US with fear and apprehension. They believed that they were untamed lands that could kill you in an instant and that danger was around every turn. They felt comfort in cities and industry, not in the natural world around them. This is what Muir sought to change. He felt that the loss of the wilderness that he held so dear, would be one of the greatest tragedies in American history. Thankfully, President Roosevelt felt the same way. For as bad-ass as he was, there was nothing that the President loved more than to sit in the peacefulness of nature and soak in the natural beauty of the world. And then he'd probably wrestle a moose or something.
These days proved to be instrumental in the creation of our National Parks and Monuments, and later on down the line, the establishment of the National Parks Service. President Roosevelt sadly did not live to see the day that the service would reach it's true glory, but it runs til this day in his name and honor. The preservation of our natural parks is one of the most important causes in our history. Long have dissenting minds looked at their beauty, and only saw opportunity. Whether its oil drilling, natural gas fracking, excessive lumber yards, or just paving the way for homes and businesses, our countries natural wonders are in a constant state of danger. This is why it is satisfying to know that the parks receive millions of visitors a year that are more than happy to donate and protect our countries best asset. But there are always those who wish to go against the grain.
Even now, politicians, corporations and landowners of all sort wish to further the exploitation of our parks system. Although many, including several notable outdoor companies, push back every day, the pressure remains. This is why, more than ever, our National Parks need you. Whether its by donations, by visiting and enjoying them, or by simply spreading the word, they need your support however you can. The protection of these wild places are of the utmost importance. We cannot allow our children to grow up in a world were they are not able to experience the natural wonders this land has to offer.
"All that the sun shines on is beautiful, so long as it is wild."
- John Muir
Now, while that story is no doubt mythologized to play up the majesty and importance of this undertaking, the truth of the matter is not far off. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt (ed note: DO NOT CALL HIM TEDDY TO HIS FACE!) toured Yosemite National Park with a cadre of secret service, waiters and porters and possibly even a senator or two. Along the way, they met up with noted conservationist John Muir, who, unbeknownst to the secret service, had asked Theodore if he was up for a bit of unscheduled camping and hiking. Never one to turn down an offer to give his guards a heart attack, the President proceeded to slip away from his entourage for a grand total of three days! I can only imagine how many wild animals the secret service interrogated for his location in that time frame.
What followed was a three day trek through the back country of Yosemite, with John Muir as his personal guide. Muir was a man who legends are written about. A staunch naturalist and conservationist, he believed that to preserve the natural beauty of the United States was of utmost importance, and that it needed to be achieved through any means necessary. At this time, the average American citizen regarded the various forests and wild areas of the US with fear and apprehension. They believed that they were untamed lands that could kill you in an instant and that danger was around every turn. They felt comfort in cities and industry, not in the natural world around them. This is what Muir sought to change. He felt that the loss of the wilderness that he held so dear, would be one of the greatest tragedies in American history. Thankfully, President Roosevelt felt the same way. For as bad-ass as he was, there was nothing that the President loved more than to sit in the peacefulness of nature and soak in the natural beauty of the world. And then he'd probably wrestle a moose or something.
These days proved to be instrumental in the creation of our National Parks and Monuments, and later on down the line, the establishment of the National Parks Service. President Roosevelt sadly did not live to see the day that the service would reach it's true glory, but it runs til this day in his name and honor. The preservation of our natural parks is one of the most important causes in our history. Long have dissenting minds looked at their beauty, and only saw opportunity. Whether its oil drilling, natural gas fracking, excessive lumber yards, or just paving the way for homes and businesses, our countries natural wonders are in a constant state of danger. This is why it is satisfying to know that the parks receive millions of visitors a year that are more than happy to donate and protect our countries best asset. But there are always those who wish to go against the grain.
Even now, politicians, corporations and landowners of all sort wish to further the exploitation of our parks system. Although many, including several notable outdoor companies, push back every day, the pressure remains. This is why, more than ever, our National Parks need you. Whether its by donations, by visiting and enjoying them, or by simply spreading the word, they need your support however you can. The protection of these wild places are of the utmost importance. We cannot allow our children to grow up in a world were they are not able to experience the natural wonders this land has to offer.
"All that the sun shines on is beautiful, so long as it is wild."
- John Muir
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