OCR Text |
Show honor to able to live here in relative safety and comfort. The community represents something quite special and on the endangered list in this country--the American dream. A thriving, ifa little seasonal, rural tourist community loaded with culture and character. From the scrap yards to the gated community it has the feel of a community that Iam proud to call my home. It certainly keeps me occupied. The members of our community, especially the year round residents, are very involved with each other. That is why events such as the film festival and the writers conference happen and why community radio not only lives but thrives. All this from the energy of people who do it for the sheer enjoyment of donating time to the community and being able to talk freely. A first amendment right and certainly a privilege. A GUEST EDITORIAL BY HOWARD TRENHOLME The world is in a state of change, the human species in a continued state of evolution. This creates the opportunity to perhaps make better decisions, a strategic plan for not just the next few years but to a place for the next generation, the children who will inherit the consequences of the decisions that are made today. How long must we sing the same song? : Thoughts From No(w)here, Utah. . My first article to this fine publication was to be a discussion the role of the energy industry and its influence on global economics and politics. Unfortunately I have decided to shelve it for another four years (well, maybe) until a.new piece of legislation (hopefully) expires. This new fast track. piece of legislation, otherwise known as the Providing. Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act. The PATRIOT act expands the powers of government The song that is sung is often full of words and rhetoric of same old, same old, nothing new. No change, just stagnation. A shift in the paradigm is quite different. For example, a community that stops the slow erosion of independently owned and operated small business and the growth of generic, corporate imaging. Star Mart, KBucks, Lobster Garden, Red Olive. How? to look closer into the lives of its peoples. Be grateful, I think, if you are a citizen of this great nation because if you are not, your rights are further impinged upon. I, for example, must be wary of writing to you freely on the subject of American oil company interests in the Middle East. Over 7000 American troops are positioned in the holy land of the Muslim faith to protect "our interests." How would Americans feel about the presence of Iraqi troops in the US because they had "special interests" here? As a legal alien in this country, I am very thankful for Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin who was the only senator in this great nation to vote against the new bill he felt it impinged on basic constitutional freedoms. As cumbersome aS” bureaucracies can be, due process has value in that it allows us the time to make more - informed decisions in government. (Incidentally, Senator Feingold is also a strong supporter of campaign finance reform and protecting the environment.) As someone who cannot vote in this country I would strongly consider changing my status if there were more leaders like Feingold in government. My disillusionment on a national political level has helped me become more focused on local politics where I believe change can still happen. This goes back to words of wisdom I] remember from my mother. ; a "If people would take better care of their own back yards there would not be as many problems in the world". That thought was shared with me at a very young age and has stayed with me. It helps me understand the modern concept of "Think globally, act locally”. I firmly believe that in order to impact positive change within our society, leaders need to _ emerge that occasionally speak out against the so-called majority, as exemplified by Feingold. Speaking out requires courage as well as a modicum of good ethics. Ultimately we are each responsible for educating ourselves and acting accordingly in our actions with and towards each other. Perhaps it’s idealism in unreal times, but without a vision or goal little real change ever occurs. The emergency call to the world on 9/11 pulled a lot of heads out of the sand. This heinous crime against the wealthiest and most powerful nation on the planet, broadcast around the world almost as it happened, seemed like a plot from a book or movie. Where is James Bond? This was real. It was unthinkable. I witnessed the horror _ of it on Scottish television. My flight from the US arrived on September 11th the day of my mother’s eightieth birthday; it was a surprise visit to celebrate this day with her. While common pleasantries were exchanged, the air of disbelief hung in the air as the image of the jets smashing into and destroying one of the biggest symbols of capitalism in the world, ran again and again. Those images were burned into my memory banks as a shocking act, an act of sheer terror. Moab held strong within my thoughts at this time. I could not wait to get back “home”. The sheer isolation of the town appealed to me and in a way I was in a way glad that the town failed to appear in the atlases of my friends on the Scottish coffee tables. Splendid isolation is the tangible aspect of my existence in Moab. I consider it an Five Quail Books of the same old, same old, nothing new. No change, just stagnation. A shift in the paradigm is quite different. Through balanced growth plans and strict laws of development that stand up for the integrity of the independent business owner that still lives and works within his or her community. While I know that it is necessary to take care of everyone it would seem that government takes special care of Mr. Big--Mr. Big Interest group, Mr. Big Business, Mr. Big Developer all have big voices, big promises and most importantly big wallets. What about the small businesses, interest groups and even developers? . Is bigger better? National and local government must also have an interest for the little ones, the people of their nation, state and local communities, the popular vote. If these groups do not take a legitimate interest then I think the great system of democratic government will begin to falter. Welcome then a new world order. Moab has many unique characteristics. One of those is the fact that it is one of the last the independents. This creates a unique experience for those that visit. A strong tourist economy helps create other opportunities within the economy. This will benefit a community as long as the community does not sell out "the golden goose". There is an inherent danger of growing too quickly and in only one direction. Tourism is vital for the community but it is not so stable. The Anthrax scares in the current media will undoubtedly reduce the numbers of international tourists to the USA, not unlike the experience of the British tourist industry during Mad Cow disease and then foot and mouth. The Scottish tourist industry expected to lose over half a billion dollars because of foot.and mouth. That is a lot of money in a country of five and a half million. Lessons can be learned by our community in this regard, such as the importance of growing a balanced economy that does not put all of its economic eggs in one basket. As the Moab community grows it has the opportunity to improve itself. ‘Support of a year-round economy needs to be the focus of the elected officials of the community. I believe a shared vision of the future is imperative for any hope of a sustainable community. This will also entertain radical ideals and ideas. Moab as a college town, an arts center, an alternative energy town, a community that genuinely cares about its members, where there is a sense of reality amidst much of the chaos of life. g Howard Trenholme owns the Red Rock Bakery in Moab. He can be reached at: y2kcafe@lasal.net _ Out-of-print, rare and new books, documents, ephemera relating to Grand Canyon, Colorado River, & Colorado Plateau, including: * Grand Canyon National Park history, hiking, etc. * NHO05 NOTHING GOLD CAN STAY LX SKYE. river running, etc. * Mormon history, etc. * Fred Harvey Company, available at eens eee . Santa Fe Railroad P.O. Box 9870 Phoenix, AZ 85068-9870 | *Glen Canyon & Rainbow Bridge Squail@GrandCanyonBooks.com * USGS bulletins, 602.861.0548 www.GrandCanyonBooks.com BACK OF BEYOND BOOKS or by mail order: professional papers & water-supply papers ae =| Just Another Telluride Tailings Pond Boogie Jesus is Coming to Moab * Colorado River exploration, Stock shown by appointment only Call or write for hard copy of catalog On-line catalog at: THE WIZARD OF HOME STUDIO RECORDINGS RETURNS WITH Hig MOST POWERFUL SET: includes: NEW HORIZONS DIGITAL Moab UT| $12.98 check or m.o. NEW HORIZON MUSIC PO BOX II8 MOAB, UT 84532 Li: because The song that is sung is often full of words and rhetoric |