Using the analogy of a racially segregated bus during the civil rights movement to argue that there should be no limitations on use of public lands here is based on the fallacy known as “false equivalency.” The question is not whether or not any particular individual is allowed on the bus. More pertinent questions are: Should the person next to you on the public bus be allowed to play their “boom box” at full volume? Should someone sitting next to you on the public bus be allowed to smoke? Should a public bus with a capacity of 40 passengers be allowed to load 90 or more passengers? Some uses are not compatible, and conflicts will arise. The more important question is: How can the rights of the various user groups be respected so that all of us can enjoy the ride?
Joe Ordonez