It seems unending the constant attacks on all our national treasures. I will not mention the political attacks as that is an issue that has two confrontational sides. Joshua Tree NP is one of those parks saddled with that toxic encroachment from all sides as well. To date it has held off most of that.
This is more geared towards the lack of my understanding towards those that set out to just plain cause physical harm and damage to all of our parks & monuments.
There are many locales in the park with the sub title of: "tank". To name a few there is; White Tank, Stirrup Tank, Oak Tree Tank, Twin Tanks........etc. I had my own thought on the titles as an inclusion of the description. After seeing several sites first hand I realized my thoughts were right that they were either manmade or natural water catch basins. This was confirmed when I finally asked a long time park ranger at one of the visitor centers.
Anyway, it was only three weeks back I was out on one of my once a week visits to JTNP at a somewhat remote area of the park. Using Google Earth I'd found a place called Squaw Tank and it was easy enough to get to only yards off a dirt road in the park. After doing my sunrise photo takes near that location I decided to venture into the Squaw Tank manmade dam area to see how big the storage area was. It was fairly large and would hold a lot of water during any large down pours. Sadly, as I made my way into the back part of the tank area & the surrounding rock fortress I noticed the abuse. There were 3 locations of spray paint spots of red, blue, and yellow. No lettering, just abuse. I took some IPhone shots and forwarded them on to of all things the "JTNP Graffiti" email address. Who would have ever thought. Last week I stopped and talked with a ranger to see if they could verify my report. She did and indicated the cleanup crew was busy with other issues and would get to the Squaw Tank area soon.
Sadly, this morning in our local newspaper here in the Inland Empire area which JTNP falls into there was an article that the Oasis of Mara near the 29 Palms JTNP Visitor Center had been set a blaze and was now under investigation by various groups looking into arson........
There are just way too many idiots in the this world. They are a small minority, but their destruction and its impact far exceeds their numbers.
I totally agree, Harley. The lack of respect for almost anything these days is really lacking......
Posted by Bill Chambers on March 28, 2018 at 9:18 PM
There seems to be an ever increasing number of humans who seem bored with or perhaps disenchanted with life in general and they seem intent on sharing their discontent and dissatisfaction by destroying things which are valuable to others, whether those things are animal, mineral, or whatever. They have no respect for themselves or anything else on this planet. Honestly, I have more respect for thieves and murders than I do for these dregs of society.
There seems to be an ever increasing number of humans who seem bored with or perhaps disenchanted with life in general and they seem intent on sharing their discontent and dissatisfaction by destroying things which are valuable to others, whether those things are animal, mineral, or whatever.
Bill, your comment is a sad commentary on how the easier things become to the masses in life, it can also bring out the worst in some folks. And as you put it for just plain being "bored" with their personal situation in life. Too bad as it is lost potential if turned toward a positive goal. But that can require moral leadership which is really lacking in key positions world wide.
Posted by Ed Williams on March 29, 2018 at 12:02 AM
I personally believe this is a sad commentary on what people have been taught in schools and on TV over the past thirty or forty years, and failed to be taught by their families. Freedom to do as they wish and no one can tell them to stop. How about teaching a bit of respect for the law and for others' rights to enjoy the natural world. Unfortunately society seems to turn a blind eye to much of this destructive behavior because we fear repercussions. Kudos to you Paul for trying to make the authorities aware of the damage. This reminds me of the damage done by the bozo four wheeler clowns out at the Race Track area of Death Valley last year. I believe eventually this behavior will escalate to the point they are caught doing something much worse and then it will be too late to teach them common sense and common courtesy. Of course, I guess graffiti goes way back to cave man days too...
Freedom to do as they wish and no one can tell them to stop. How about teaching a bit of respect for the law and for others' rights to enjoy the natural world. Unfortunately society seems to turn a blind eye to much of this destructive behavior because we fear repercussions.
Ed, your points are well taken and surely are key mentions on where society has found itself overall. Having never had children of my own has never stopped me from respecting the fact that what we do to this planet now negatively and or positively might impact numerous generations to come.
This reminds me of the damage done by the bozo four wheeler clowns out at the Race Track area of Death Valley last year.
The Race Track has been hit a few times over the years through gross neglect by just a select few. btw: DVNP many years ago now was the first N.P. I ever saw a park ranger wearing a 9mm as a side arm. I was shocked to think how far we'd fallen as a society to need this take place in a location many of us sought out as a sanctuary from that required protection.
Unfortunately, there appears to be a rampant disregard for the rule of law, common decency, and respect, not only in parks but also across many facets of society. Obviously, there are many reasons for this state of affairs, but for all of who do obey the law, and are respectful, we have a duty to act if we see something.
Paul: Just to clarify your comment about armed park rangers. Some federal ranger/naturalists are not peace officers, so they are unarmed. Rangers who are peace officers are required to be armed while on duty. The same applies to CA state parks.
Hopefully, someone witnessed, or is aware of the perpetrators of vandalism, and the recent suspected arson at the Oasis and then reports what they saw or heard.
--P
Paul: Just to clarify your comment about armed park rangers. Some federal ranger/naturalists are not peace officers, so they are unarmed. Rangers who are peace officers are required to be armed while on duty. The same applies to CA state parks.
Hey Preston although I was aware of that item I appreciate you making it clear to others who might have read my previous comment.
After my normal sunrise take this morning I found a sign I'd not seen before outlining even more previous vandalism at JTNP. I've attached a iPhone take here. I knew about the event listed and the damage done, but was unaware of the fact the item is now under wraps so no one has access to it.........GROAN.....
UPDATE: For what it's worth there was an arrest with regard to my first comment about the arson incident at Oasis of Mara. Go figure, the person was a convicted arsonist.....
An arson suspect arrested at the scene of a fire that damaged a historical landmark at Joshua Tree National Park has appeared in a California court.
Federal prosecutors say George William Graham was observed watching flames rip through palm trees late Monday at the Oasis of Mara and told park rangers he had started the fire. Officials say the 26-year-old is a parolee with a prior arson arrest.
Graham was charged Wednesday with unlawfully setting fire to timber, a felony. It wasn't immediately known if he has an attorney.
He will remain in federal custody until his next court appearance April 11.
Flames damaged the Oasis of Mara, a site settled by Native Americans who planted the 29 palm trees that inspired the name of the nearby city Twentynine Palms.
Discussion
9 repliesThis is more geared towards the lack of my understanding towards those that set out to just plain cause physical harm and damage to all of our parks & monuments.
There are many locales in the park with the sub title of: "tank". To name a few there is; White Tank, Stirrup Tank, Oak Tree Tank, Twin Tanks........etc. I had my own thought on the titles as an inclusion of the description. After seeing several sites first hand I realized my thoughts were right that they were either manmade or natural water catch basins. This was confirmed when I finally asked a long time park ranger at one of the visitor centers.
Anyway, it was only three weeks back I was out on one of my once a week visits to JTNP at a somewhat remote area of the park. Using Google Earth I'd found a place called Squaw Tank and it was easy enough to get to only yards off a dirt road in the park. After doing my sunrise photo takes near that location I decided to venture into the Squaw Tank manmade dam area to see how big the storage area was. It was fairly large and would hold a lot of water during any large down pours. Sadly, as I made my way into the back part of the tank area & the surrounding rock fortress I noticed the abuse. There were 3 locations of spray paint spots of red, blue, and yellow. No lettering, just abuse. I took some IPhone shots and forwarded them on to of all things the "JTNP Graffiti" email address. Who would have ever thought. Last week I stopped and talked with a ranger to see if they could verify my report. She did and indicated the cleanup crew was busy with other issues and would get to the Squaw Tank area soon.
Sadly, this morning in our local newspaper here in the Inland Empire area which JTNP falls into there was an article that the Oasis of Mara near the 29 Palms JTNP Visitor Center had been set a blaze and was now under investigation by various groups looking into arson........
I totally agree, Harley. The lack of respect for almost anything these days is really lacking......
Bill, your comment is a sad commentary on how the easier things become to the masses in life, it can also bring out the worst in some folks. And as you put it for just plain being "bored" with their personal situation in life. Too bad as it is lost potential if turned toward a positive goal. But that can require moral leadership which is really lacking in key positions world wide.
Ed, your points are well taken and surely are key mentions on where society has found itself overall. Having never had children of my own has never stopped me from respecting the fact that what we do to this planet now negatively and or positively might impact numerous generations to come.
The Race Track has been hit a few times over the years through gross neglect by just a select few.
btw: DVNP many years ago now was the first N.P. I ever saw a park ranger wearing a 9mm as a side arm. I was shocked to think how far we'd fallen as a society to need this take place in a location many of us sought out as a sanctuary from that required protection.
Paul: Just to clarify your comment about armed park rangers. Some federal ranger/naturalists are not peace officers, so they are unarmed. Rangers who are peace officers are required to be armed while on duty. The same applies to CA state parks.
Hopefully, someone witnessed, or is aware of the perpetrators of vandalism, and the recent suspected arson at the Oasis and then reports what they saw or heard.
--P
Hey Preston although I was aware of that item I appreciate you making it clear to others who might have read my previous comment.
After my normal sunrise take this morning I found a sign I'd not seen before outlining even more previous vandalism at JTNP. I've attached a iPhone take here. I knew about the event listed and the damage done, but was unaware of the fact the item is now under wraps so no one has access to it.........GROAN.....
UPDATE: For what it's worth there was an arrest with regard to my first comment about the arson incident at Oasis of Mara. Go figure, the person was a convicted arsonist.....
An arson suspect arrested at the scene of a fire that damaged a historical landmark at Joshua Tree National Park has appeared in a California court.
Federal prosecutors say George William Graham was observed watching flames rip through palm trees late Monday at the Oasis of Mara and told park rangers he had started the fire. Officials say the 26-year-old is a parolee with a prior arson arrest.
Graham was charged Wednesday with unlawfully setting fire to timber, a felony. It wasn't immediately known if he has an attorney.
He will remain in federal custody until his next court appearance April 11.
Flames damaged the Oasis of Mara, a site settled by Native Americans who planted the 29 palm trees that inspired the name of the nearby city Twentynine Palms.
--P