🚀 go-pugleaf

a8304@mindlink.bc.ca (Curtis A. Scott) writes:
              [ after about 150 lines of comments...]
>As a challenge to you, . . ., I propose that you
>think long and hard about a system of Crown land management which will
>encourage sustainable forest practices, provide a good net income for the
>people of the province (in the form of rent on the land, proceeds from
>rights sales which can be invested or used to pay off the government's
>massive debts, or stumpage as now), stabilize employment in the industry,
>and provide flexibility for changes in use when this would be in the public
>interest. Be sure it can be implemented without excessive damage to
>existing interests, heavy hidden subsidies in the form of government
>salaries (which ultimately have to come out of the pocket of workers in
>other industries), or unrealistic assumptions about product prices. Then
>tell us all, and notify the ministries involved, because I'm sure they'd
>like to know the answer!

This may, in fact be the approach that is missing.

My original response to the challenge was to dismiss it, but I was talking
with some friends tonight about "The Hunger Project", which is about
ending persistent hunger by the year 2000. One of the aspects of the
project was the removal of despair as a barrier to action by the people
most capable of solving the problem -- the hungry themselves.

Somewhere in there, I recognized a parallel to our own situation.
 
Part of the problem with the logging discussion,  (both here and
elsewhere) has been a resignation to the feeling that there is no
workable solution.  We have, therefore, been putting up with an
unproductive status quo because, "there isn't anything better". I
propose, however, that there IS a solution, and that such a solution IS
achievable, implementable, and that implementation of the solution
would result in the creation of a much brighter future for the people
of BC than the ones which we have been grappling with, so far.

Of course, I don't believe that I have the knowledge and resources
available to create such a solution single-handedly.  Thankfully, there
are resources available here, on the net, far beyond what ANY other
forum I've seen on this subject has had to offer -- A pool of
knowledgeable and imaginative people who, while you don't necessarily
have an intense interest in the subject, will have access to the
ongoing discussions, and the freedom to add your own thoughts and
special knowledge whenever they feel that it is appropriate.

It's always been my contention that, given enough knowledge of an
issue, the people in general are at least as capable as any small
cabinet-style group at creating a powerful solution.  The extra power
that comes from a large group is the breadth of knowledge that is not
reproducible in ANY small group. -- that and a certain detachment (for
most participants) which often allows for a clearer mind on a problem.

In other words, I accept the challenge, and invit you -- in fact
I invite EVERYBODY who reads this, to join in the discussion.  perhaps
we can create a precedent for other community-based solutions.
-- 
-- 
Stephen Samuel 		(604)822-9248		samuel@cs.ubc.ca
In Biblical times, Lebanon was known for its great cedars.
What Rome did to Lebanon, we are now doing to BC.