[Grovenet] The Iraqi View

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

You hit it 'dead on' I think, David.

People more often take care of the things they own than things they do not.


That was the understanding that led Oregon's head of Forestry to promote the
idea of the people of Oregon replanting the Tillamook after the horrendous
burns. Thousands of people stomped the hillsides planting seedlings. They
only planted a few of the total. Most were seeded by air. Many of the
seedlings the people planted had to be moved or destroyed because they
planted them incorrectly. But that wasn't the point. Those people and many
of those who didn't go but who saw the accounts in the newspapers developed
a sense of personal ownership of Oregon's forests that was invaluable in
shaping their attitude toward this land. 

I'd not be surprised if much of the success of the land use laws 20 years
later wasn't a direct result of people responding to the sense of
"ownership" the replanting the Tillamook created. I have read of families
who, to this day, still journey up into the Tillamook to visit the grove
that "Grandfather and Grandma planted."

That's something we're lacking as a nation. Many people have lost a sense of
"ownership" of our nation and our government. Instead of being a positive
force in many people's lives, they see it as their adversary and they
respond accordingly. 

Ron D'Eau Claire 


-----Original Message-----

On Sep 16, 2007, at 10:21 PM, Gregory Gritton wrote:

> On the other hand, the Swiss do run their trains on time.  ... 
> Switzerland also has one of the most democratic governments in the
> world.  ...
>
> I have no idea if the two are related but it is interesting to note
> anyway.
>
> Sincerely,
> Greg Gritton

Perhaps it represents a certain pride of ownership?

David

_