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Moton Field Ceremony Highlights Grand Opening of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site

Dec 8th - 04:33am | Bob Janiskee

There is a lot of very detailed information about Tuskegee Army Airfield at this site. The property is privately owned. I don’t know whether there are any plans to incorporate any element of the site into the park.

Dec 7th - 18:36pm | Cliff Moriarty

Congrat's on the Park-Site Grand Openning in October, it is truly a remarkable thing in today's environment. My question centers - on what will ever happen to restoring not only Moton Field back to its "primary days" but what about "the place where it really happen" in the restoration of Tuskegee Army Air Field (which I believe was about 10 miles North/Northwest of Moton Field).

Interior Officials Release Rule Change to Allow National Park Visitors to Arm Themselves

Dec 8th - 01:06am | Anonymous

I spent almost 20 years as a National Park Ranger in the Protection Division. I can not imagine going into a National Park Service Area and not having a firearm to protect myself and my family. I have seen too much to believe that the Rangers can always be there to protect me and mine from the predators that are in the parks, both two and four legged....

Dec 8th - 00:45am | Anonymous

How many people carry a concealed weapons permit? I can't quote that statistic but I am sure some better informed blogger than me can. That's who we are talking about. It is a very small percentage of the population. Those who illegally carry weapons into a national park will continue to do so, just as they have always done.

Dec 7th - 19:49pm | JimB

Toothdoctor makes an excellent point above on the risks of relying on a handgun for defense against a bear attack - although the risk of such attacks is extremely rare. I commend toothdoctor's excellent analysis of the "wildlife threat" and a proper response.

Dec 7th - 19:03pm | Capt

Warren Z Where in what I posted above did I even slightly refer to the Second Amendment ? Or to any Law written by the hand of Man ? I wrote only of inherent inalienable rights granted at birth by the Natural Laws of Life.

Dec 7th - 17:00pm | Fred Miller

Warren Z said, "Again I am asking: will someone that supports this new rule please tell me why they are not happy with the Bush administration for waiting until the final hour to publish this rule?"

Dec 7th - 16:15pm | toothdoctor

I do not know if this argument has already been brought up, either here or in another post, and I apologize if it has, but I fear that this policy change may result in an increased risk to the average person.

Dec 7th - 15:55pm | Warren Z

Capt: The Second Amendment states: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Dec 7th - 14:51pm | Warren Z

(Note to those readers who do not like big words: you will not like this post, there are some big words in here.) Frank,

Dec 7th - 13:59pm | Capt

The inalienable right to defend one's self is inherent to All Living Things humans included. Would you outlaw a kittens claws until it has demonstrated it's restraint in their use ? Would you outlaw the thorns on an Acacia tree until it reaches the age of maturity ? How far will you let your fear of " fill in the blank " run your life ?

Dec 7th - 03:18am | Bill R.

Slant numbers and use big words to confuse, but if your life comes down to being accousted on the trail or in your camp by a two or four footed animal(s), it doesn't make any difference, there is not ranger. Period! Bottom line!!! They are there to take a report and in my case the next day. I understand that. Incidentally, no need to shoot any wildlife unless they are rabid! It happens.

Dec 7th - 01:33am | Warren Z

Rick: This current administration is masterful at manipulating legalese to justify it's own agenda. What a shame that you can't see through the DOI's wordy smokescreen. Or perhaps you don't mind how manipulative the Bush administration has become in it's final days because you happen to agree with this particular decision.

Dec 7th - 00:35am | Kurt Repanshek

Rick, I've been wondering where you've been lurking! I'm kinda disappointed with your comment, as I thought I did a fairly good job of sticking to the middle of the road on reporting Interior's decision.

Dec 6th - 23:50pm | Bill R.

Good blog! Been following this subject and glad common sense prevailed. Concealed weapons pemit holders are trained and have undergone a thorough background check. Obviously some of the writers here are just plain ignorant. I didn't say stupid, just ignorant. Remember, when seconds count ........ the ranger is just a phone call away. Oh yeah, your cell phone may not work, huh?

Dec 6th - 20:49pm | Rick

Kurt said, "Despite the potential affect on national park wildlife and resources, the administration did not conduct an environmental review as required by law, and some believe that opens the door for a lawsuit to halt the rule change: Tell me how your claim is more legally relevant than what Interior (legal staff) has concluded:

Dec 6th - 17:42pm | Emily

Wow, this is really disappointing -- and unnecessary! I guess we'll have to see whether this changes the character of the parks in the coming months and years. Thanks for the update. Love your blog and the quizzes, too! http://traveltelegraph.blogspot.com/ Emily

Dec 6th - 15:10pm | Nathan

I find those quotes perfect, but for a different reason than the above. Those who fear people who have concealed carry permits fit the quotes to the T. In most states you have to go through a thorough background check and training to get a permit. The ones people should be afraid(maybe catious is a better word) of are the crimanls who don't have permits.

Dec 6th - 12:12pm | Anonymous

If you pay attention to the text, those allowed to carry a weapon into the park are only those who are already permitted to carry a Concealed Weapon. For whatever the reason they are permitted to carry, whether it be a threat to their themselves or their families or for professional responsibilities. The reason for those individuals carrying a concealed weapon don't end at the park gate.

Dec 6th - 11:59am | Barky

The dangerous, armed gun nuts we fear are already in the parks. Thinking otherwise is fooling yourself. This law doesn't change the inherit danger of guns in the park. People who follow the rules re: concealed weapons permits are not the folks we should be afraid of, it's the whack-nuts who already bring concealed weapons in the parks in some form or another.

Dec 6th - 10:16am | Anonymous

Anonymous: Excellent quotes selected! That's exactly what the NRA platform is built on--plain FEAR with a touch of PARANOIA to blend!

Dec 6th - 08:51am | Anonymous

I think the following quotations on fear are appropriate, because in strongly felt beliefs, such as those that this issue is based in, are often based in fear. "In politics, what begins in fear usually ends in folly." ---- Coleridge "The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear." --- H.P. Lovecraft

Dec 6th - 08:46am | rvchrissy

I am so sorry to see this ruling come about. I have hiked and backpacked in parks for years and felt safe. This is a most unfortunate turn of events and to be expected from an outgoing president. Carrying a firearme does not mean you won't be overpowered by two legged predators. It may mean the gain access and use it on you.

Dec 6th - 08:37am | steve

I live on the olympic penninsula in the state of Washington if you look at a map this is 80% national park, all mountains. We hike and camp this park all the time, over 1 million acres. I also have a carry permet for the state of Washington and I am very happy about the new ruleing to allow me to protect my family and myself.

Dec 6th - 08:34am | Warren Z

"Despite the potential affect on national park wildlife and resources, the administration did not conduct an environmental review as required by law..."

Dec 6th - 07:59am | Colorado Cowboy

Yeeeeee haw! Ride 'em, cowboy, ride 'em! Was there ever any doubt but that this rule would be made by Bush & Co.? We will all remember Bush for many years to come. At least, I hope we all remember what he has done to this country!

Dec 6th - 02:21am | Sasha

I will definitely feel much safer now in the backcountry from predators...the 2-legged kind!

Dec 6th - 02:11am | Gerald

YES!!! It's about time that our citizenry's right to protect themselves doesn't end at the park gate!

Dec 6th - 01:45am | Brandon P.

I have been a gun owner and licensed carrier since I was 18, when I turned 21 I became a police officer. I have visited many parks across our country over the years with my wife and kids. One comment I have shared with my wife was that I would like to have my gun with me when we are out on walks and just driving around the parks.

Dec 5th - 22:42pm | Lee R

Frustrating. But honestly, we saw it coming. The track record of this administration shows that it consistently pushes expert's views and the view of the public aside and yields to loud/powerful minorities.

Dec 5th - 21:55pm | Gene

The U.S. is distinguished from the rest of the world in that its citizens have a lawful right to be armed in most places. We should value this privalege and freedom which so many under communism or oppressive governments and dictators do not have.

Dec 5th - 21:27pm | Random Walker

Just so we are all on the same track, here are links to the relevant documents having to do with this decision. The Final Rule (PDF Format)

Dec 5th - 20:29pm | Anonymous

I have been a hunter and gun advocate all my life but could not disagree with this more. I see no need to carry a gun in a Nat Park. This can only lead to needless human and animal suffering. What can you expect from a lamme duck president like Bush.

The Green Blood of the Coalition of NPS Retirees

Dec 7th - 23:28pm | Jason James

"Once again, political leaders in the Bush administration have ignored the preferences of the American public by succumbing to political pressure, in this case generated by the National Rifle Association," said Bill Wade, president of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees.

Dec 5th - 23:33pm | Anonymous

I always hear the mantra:

Dec 5th - 23:20pm | Anonymous

I see the Coalition is against the Modificaton of the Firearms Ban in all National Parks. I am a ex Police Officer, and have EXTENSIVE experience working for the D.O.D. I have traveled the entire country and have spent many days in the National parks. What is so "Dangerous" about Law Abiding Permit holders posessing a weapon? The group claims some sort of confusion with the issue?

What are the Odds?!

Dec 7th - 20:05pm | Jim

Bob - Thanks for sharing a wonderful story!

NPS Retirees Oppose Carrying Guns in National Parks

Dec 7th - 14:08pm | hoochburn

WOW! I did not know the thousands of local,state and federal agent's and police officers,who usually have more than one firearm in the home,have such high rates of shooting accidents, suicides and homicides in thier homes. Being raised in the home of a peace officer,I am suprised that my family and I are still around in light of the Brady info.

Dec 6th - 13:53pm | JimB

I hope those like Kilroi1 who worry about the extremely small risk of a bear attack will gather a some information before planning to use their concealed handguns to defend themselves against a bear.

Dec 6th - 11:27am | Dennis

The media is typically liberal and there is a good reason for it. Has to do with learning styles and the type of person that gravitates towards a job in journalism. Plain and simple and I wont' take the time to explain it now.

Dec 6th - 10:30am | Dennis Carman

Hello all So very few people understand the issues guns and safety. We have those that are totally opposed and only have or use certain data to back up their beliefs and we have those for that do exactly the same. Well I look at it completely objectively.

Dec 6th - 00:17am | Kilroi1

Wow, the comments of many in here are downright scary at times and simply retarded at others. The simple fact is that someone who goes to the trouble, training and expense of obtaining a CCW is 99.99% of the time a person I, and my family, are not in any way shape or form concerned about having a firearm on their person.

Dec 5th - 23:01pm | Adam Resents

I'm very glad to see this passed. As a law enforcement officer, I recongnize, unlike many others, that there are hundreds of tousands of folks just like myself who carry a concealed firearm while off-duty, solely for the protection of myself and others.

Dec 5th - 20:54pm | Anonymous

T-Fly You pose a bigger problem to visitors to the parks pgrowing your illegal weed there and somking it !!

Hikers, Bikers and National Parks

Dec 7th - 12:06pm | HightechParks

The mountain biker in me want to respond one way, however the preservationist and organic act stickler in me is pulling in a very different direction.

Traveler's View: Concealed Weapons Have No Place In Our National Park System

Dec 6th - 20:05pm | Brad Neff

I have a concealed weapons permit and carry a 9mm semiauto in my vehicle. I occassionaly have to travel over roads that pass thru a National Recreation Area on the way to courts in other counties (I am an attorney). It is not my intention to "visit" the Recreational Area--I could not care less if it was there or not.

Another Look at Those GPS Rangers in the National Parks

Dec 6th - 13:23pm | Lee Rademaker

If anyone is interested in a independent analysis of the GPS Ranger visitor experience I can provide it. In 2008 I completed my thesis titled "Interpretive Technology in Parks: A study of visitor experiences with portable multimedia devices" and it focused on the GPS Ranger.

Interior Department To Be Sued Over Cape Hatteras National Seashore Plover Habitat Decisions

Dec 6th - 11:53am | d-2

We are talking about the same vehicles, as they are at Hatteras. Where I am from, we call them ATVs. Although it is true, if what you are saying is that all Off Road Vehicles are not All Terrain Vehicles, and vice versa. The point is no vehicles, 2 cycle or 4 cycle, should be allowed to impair the habitat and the resource.

Memorial Ceremony for Pearl Harbor Day

Dec 6th - 10:41am | TetVet68

America's oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, living his 100th year is former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Ordnanceman (ACOM), later wartime commissioned Lieutenant John W. Finn, USN (Ret.).

Dec 6th - 08:26am | 1st batt. 22nd ...

How ironic that on this date I should read this story. A story about a soldier asking for asylum in Germany because he didn’t want to fight, didn’t believe in the war in the middle east. Here is a volunteer who took an oath to serve and wouldn’t and the comments were mostly praising him for his decision. Thank God he and those who support him are the minority.

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