http://www.newwest.net/topic/main/C85/L/ New West Network: The Voice of the Rocky Mountains en info@newwest.net Copyright 2008 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:21:35 MDT Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:21:35 MDT http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/dont_waste_energy_on_rule_allowing/C85/C85/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/dont_waste_energy_on_rule_allowing/C85/C85/ Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:40:06 MDT A lot of people are hot and bothered about the Bush administration's proposed rule to allow concealed weapons in national parks, but practically, is this really worth our time and effort? Yes, it's maddening to tolerate such low-end, election-year politics spurred by the National Rifle Association (NRA), but I say give the gun lobby this hollow victory, so we can spend our time and energy on issues that could really help our national parks instead of worrying about something that's already happening and hasn't caused any problems. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/the_share_the_road_chronology/C85/C85/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/the_share_the_road_chronology/C85/C85/ Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:02:35 MDT Nowadays, with high gas prices and renewed interest in good health fitness driving more and more people out of our SUVs and onto their bicycles, we also have a constant string of news articles about conflicts between motorists and cyclists. At the same time, government officials struggle to find a balance where all legitimate users of our roadways can peacefully coexist. Being an active cyclist, I've frequently written about this subject over the past three years. Here is a chronology of those articles. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/the_anti_conservation_mission_of_the_nra/C85/C85/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/the_anti_conservation_mission_of_the_nra/C85/C85/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:29:19 MDT It's hardly a news flash that the National Rifle Association (NRA) supports anti-conservation, if not anti-hunting, politicians. Even though I've written about it several times, I never realized how bad it was. A just-released report by the NRA's nemesis, the American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA), deals out all the dreadful details, and it should be a major eye-opener for any hunter who still supports the NRA. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/roadless_rule_takes_another_u_turn/C85/C85/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/roadless_rule_takes_another_u_turn/C85/C85/ Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:54:59 MDT The rule protecting millions of roadless acres on public lands across the West and around the country has followed a long and winding road since the Clinton administration put it in place. Now it has taken another U-turn, and it leaves 58.5 million acres, mostly in the West, in limbo. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/most_motorists_courteous_cautious_helpful/C85/C85/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/most_motorists_courteous_cautious_helpful/C85/C85/ Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:24:51 MDT My cycling buddies wanted me to write about what happened on this year's GAG Ride, which stands for Geezers Around Glacier, but I had decided not to do it. Until I read all the recent negative news about the escalating conflict between cyclists and motorists on our roadways, that is. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/britta_climate_ride_touts_the_bicycle_as_agent_of_change/C85/C85/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/britta_climate_ride_touts_the_bicycle_as_agent_of_change/C85/C85/ Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:57:00 MDT We hear a lot about global climate change and its disastrous impact on our environment and economy, but apparently not nearly enough to make people pay any attention to the warnings, let alone do anything about it. Do you roll your eyes and move to the next page when you see it in the newspaper? Have you changed your lifestyle to help combat global warming? Do volunteered any time or money to reverse the trend? Are you part of the solution instead of part of the problem? Two Montana women are certainly not among the "eye rollers." They have a plan for convincing the apathetic masses and our elected officials to join efforts to do something about this colossal problem. It started out small, but before long, they had an international event touting the bicycle as an agent of global climate change--the type of change we need, not the type of change we keep ignoring. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/sierra_club_president_brings_energy_to_convention/C85/C85/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/sierra_club_president_brings_energy_to_convention/C85/C85/ Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:09:26 MDT Sierra Club President Carl Pope has one word for Democrats: Energy. The environmental organization endorsed Sen. Barack Obama early on for president, and Pope will be on hand at the Democratic National Convention in Denver rallying Democrats around key environmental issues. Chief among them will be energy issues. “If the slogan in 1992 was ‘it’s the economy, stupid,’ this election, the message is ‘energy is the economy, stupid,” Pope said in an interview with NewWest.Net. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/the_case_for_protecting_lolo_peak/C85/C85/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/the_case_for_protecting_lolo_peak/C85/C85/ Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:01:36 MDT What is it about Lolo Peak that stirs the emotions of so many people? Maybe it’s the beauty and comfort we find gazing from the vehicle or kitchen window, reminding us why we live and work here. Perhaps it is the memories of family hikes or winter excursions, or the fabulous close-to-home white-tail and elk hunting. One thing's for sure: thousands of western Montana citizens are concerned that this great place on our public lands might be sliced and diced so that a handful of people can make millions on real estate. Lolo Peak is already serving a useful economic, ecological and social purpose -- in its current condition. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/from_yukon_to_yellowstone_cyclists_ride_for_the_wild/C85/C85/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/from_yukon_to_yellowstone_cyclists_ride_for_the_wild/C85/C85/ Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:34:36 MDT A group of seven cyclists pushed off on a 2,000-mile trip from the Yukon Territory to Yellowstone National Park Saturday to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife corridors and in particular the Yellowstone to Yukon Initiative. The trip, called Ride for the Wild, began in Watson Lake in the Yukon Territory, just north of British Columbia border. The riders will average 50 miles per day until October 6, when they will end the ride at the Boiling River in Yellowstone Park. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/ride_your_bike_with_kristin_armstrong_on_saturday/C85/C85/ http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/ride_your_bike_with_kristin_armstrong_on_saturday/C85/C85/ Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:00:26 MDT Boise Mayor Dave Bieter is an avid bicycle rider, but he never thought he’d ride with an Olympic gold medalist through the streets of his hometown. Saturday it will be a party time as the mayor and citizens will honor Boise cyclist Kristin Armstrong, winner of the gold medal in the women’s time trial at the Beijing Olympics. Instead of riding in a traditional gas-powered parade vehicle, they will lead a bike caravan starting at 10:30 a.m. It will start at the Downtown YMCA, 1050 W. State Street, where Armstrong is a teacher, and end at City Hall Plaza….and Mayor Bieter is calling on the public to ride along. At City Hall, the public is invited to a ceremony honoring Armstrong and her achievement. The ceremony will start around 11:00 a.m. More details and road closures: