I want to talk to you about kites vs birds. Specifically about kiters vs bird enthusiasts and how the bird enthusiasts can get kiters banned from the beach.
As kiters, we’re general members of the public when it comes to beach access. We walk in, or pay for parking stickers, gain access just like everybody else and use the beach for recreational purposes. We might know the smiling girl, posted up in a lawn chair at the entrance, but we rarely interact with park authorities.
The times we do interact with an official is when he’s telling us that we’re bad for the beach and we need to go home. You’re doing your favorite thing in the world, wide smiled and ecstatic because you’re doing that which you love - FLYING A KITE UNTIL YOUR ARMS FALL OFF - then someone comes and tells you that you’re done! GO HOME!
So you think: “I’m done when the wind’s done ALSO I have every right to use these public lands to pursue that which brings me joy. Who do you think you are…you public servant! I pay my taxes!”
That's how tensions run high…whether I tell it to his face or think it in my head & the above example shows why we might not have the best relations with park authorities.
Who does have good relations with park authorities??
The bird enthusiasts...Some work for the parks directly or have friends who work for the parks and they know how to mind their P’s and Q’s and F*ck You’s.
The Audubon SocietY even does Lobbying with the government! They know how to keep the graces of people making the rules.
So when the question comes up: "Do we ban kitesurfing because birds are(allegedly) being distressed by the kites?” I think I know who the park supervisor will be backing.
This can be fixed so that we never get Banned and get a fair voice in the management of our parks & playgrounds!
Diplomacy from all of kitesurfers should be the first step.
BUT not all kitesurfers are diplomatic and, when tensions run high, this becomes even harder. Kitesurfers are passionate about our sport and we aren't the type that quit! SO forcing us to quit will evoke some passions and emotions for sure.
This is not the way to make friends...especially friends that make the rules & the laws.
We need to organize:
-We should have a representative group(a Kiters Alliance) to speak on the behalf of all kiters - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
-We need to hire Lobbyists at the state capitol to make our Legislators aware that we exist! That the majority of us are highly functioning members of society: Doctors, Lawyers, Business Executives, Entrepreneurs, etc…
-We need one voice that will not call the Park Supervisor a D*******D ... he’s just trying to keep his boss happy.
-Donations to pay the lobbyists fees will also help(those lawyers among us can also volunteer to help here)
-Signatures(ESP the Doctors, Lawyers & Business Executives), also Social Media Shares and General Support for this cause that affects us all.
Otherwise, one day, we might be looking at a sign telling us to Go Home!
Windiest Wishes
Rev. Vlad Alexandrescu
p.s. A note to Trols: Please know that your rants will not be read BUT filed directly into my FANBOX.
I will consider your 'running your mouth off' as a compliment.
Thank you for your emotions...misguided and lost as they may be.
