Oregon Lawmakers Consider Banning Hate Crime Perpetrators From State Parks

[TexasTowelie]

Pamela Slaughter is a Black woman who grew up in Oregon. She has a deep appreciation for nature. But she said that’s been challenged by a series of hateful, harassing comments she and her children have received while hiking.

“That really shook me up," Slaughter testified during a March hearing in the Oregon Senate's Energy and Environment Committee.

"I decided to stop going out as far and stop going to my favorite places, and stick very close to heavily trafficked places," she said.

And Slaughter said even though she still lives in Portland, a relatively short drive from the Pacific Northwest's many natural wonders, her children don't share her enthusiasm for the great outdoors.

Read more: https://www.klcc.org/post/oregon-lawmakers-consider-banning-hate-crime-perpetrators-state-parks

[ret5hd]

1. I am So terribly sorry for this...

I am...i don't know...I get outdoors a lot. I have yet to run across a hateful hiker, even in the reddest parts of Arkansas.

I think there are several main groups of "outdoors" people...the ones out in the boonies, not just doing exercise/walks on a city path. I'm not really grouping the family campers/RV'ers in here, they are just "regular people with all the flaws" enjoying the outdoors for a few days.

From nicest to "least nice" (my opinion only, and of course there is some overlap)

1) Hikers: Quiet, like to be by themselves, self sufficient, reverent of nature, and enjoy meeting others (even if only for a short while). Can easily be out for long periods with only what's on their back, and love every minute.

2) Boondock campers: Much like hikers, but more stationary...and more gear.

3) Subsistence hunters: Doing what they need to do to keep going. Not going after bragging rights, going after food.

4) "Macho" hunters: Trophy hunters, wolf/coyote shooters-for-fun, rattlesnake wranglers, etc etc.

5) Survivalists: Hyper macho, 5 or 6 or more at a time on 4-wheelers, loud, and VERY few could be out by themselves for a week straight and make it out.