The BackWoods Drifter

I was just channel surfing the TV when I ran across this Breaking News. It seems another nut with a gun went on a rampage. This time at a mall. Right at the moment 3 dead including the shooter and a police officer wounded. I can’t use words to describe how tragic an event like this is. That being said I wanted to talk about the media coverage a little.

One of the first questions I heard the reporter ask to no one in particular was, “What type of mall security do we have?” He immediately followed that up with, “How can we prevent this from happening again?” And the grand finale, “How can we go to the mall and feel safe?” We ask the experts…

Sensationalism + Media = Mass Stupidity

Lets get real about the whole security from gun toting maniacs thing for a minute. The first thing to remember is the operative word is maniac, the gun is just the tool. Take away the gun and the maniac will find a way to kill ten people at a time instead of one. Honestly, what are we going to do? I know, lets put and armed guard everywhere the public gathers and pray he’s not having a bad day.

I think the media is a big part of the problem. They are the ones that immortalize these otherwise nobodies. Do you not think nutcases watch TV?

Each time something tragic happens we get sensationalized fear embedded into us by the media. Everybody wondering what they can do to make their next trip for a gallon of milk a safe one. Our society is becoming a bunch of scared wimps that won’t go to the bathroom without a 9mm within easy reach.

Don’t show me 27 hours worth of 15 second video. If there is a nutcase on the lose at the time, then yes I would like to be updated about that. But if its something that has happened and its over then tell me about it on the 6 o’clock news. I’m using me here figuratively, but imagine its a nutcase watching the same news. The real tragic thing, it will only get worse and never get any better. And believe me it will get worse… Why? Because we all watch the news.

Today was another great day to be just out piddling in the yard. This is my backyard and the view from my study window. I don’t actually use the old clothesline there but I don’t have the heart to remove it either. I keep thinking one of these days I’ll wash the sheets and hang them out there. Then a solid dose of reality hits me in the side of the head and I think “Yeah right, I have a washer and dryer, stacked even and I’m a bachelor.” … enough said.

This next picture is also out the study window but to the right of the top photo. Thats Bolt West Virginia, or at least part of it.

I should get realistic about hiking the trail this year. No way it can happen with only about a month of planning. Thats not to mention the meager budget I would have available. I think a year would give me plenty of time to gather the finances and to get myself in shape for the hike. So I am going to start planning right now and be ready for the 2100+ mile hike next June 2008. Thats is, as my mom is fond of saying, “If the Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise.”

The following from http://www.appalachiantrail.com/

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the The A.T., is a 2,174 mile (3500 km) marked hiking and camping trail in the eastern United States, extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. Along the way, the trail also passes through the states of North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

This is something I have been contemplating for awhile now. To take the southbound hike-thru from Maine to Georgia. They say the best time to start the south-bound hike is from June to July. I think that would be a cool thing to do. I already have all the equipment necessary for a hike like that. I can just imagine the amazing photos that could be taken.

http://www.fred.net/kathy/at/atstate.html

Only about 2000 people have completed the trail in either direction since the 1930’s.

The trip takes an average 0f 5 to 6 months to complete.

I’m a hiker and I love being in the mountains. I’m also partial to solitude. I think this would be a very enjoyable adventure. Maybe not all the time but the biggest part of it. I also think it would be cool to post to the blog the entire trip. With maybe lat/lon from my GPS so the reader could keep track of my progress…. hmmmm.

Hello all…. After about four frustrating days of trying to post to an unresponsive blog I have decided to move it here. I had been having trouble with that provider for a few months now. Sometimes I could go for weeks and never actually be able to view the blog. That made me wonder how many other potential readers couldn’t access it either. It may take me a day or two to get a handle on this blog and its controls but at least I can post to it….