[Az-Geocaching] Destruction of geological site(s?)

[Brent Milner]

I wrote my response to the paper. I hope I wasn't too wordy, but once I get
on a roll, it's tough to stop. I also tried not to be too bitter, but
sometimes I can't help it. :)

-FroBro Q-Tip

Hi Ms. Leonard,

I read your article titled "High-tech scavenger hunt threatens
archaeological sites" this morning. I am shocked by the story. I am an
Arizona native, and a brand new "Geocacher" as of last month. Most of my
experiences have been in urban areas, not out on state parkland.

I imagine you will probably get a lot of alarmed responses regarding your
story (as is the nature of your business), because there are a few things
written as fact.

For example, you wrote that although geocaching is fun and enjoyable,
"...it's also having disturbing effects: People are creating new trails,
leaving trash behind and vandalizing some of the state's most valuable
archaeological assets, places that had remained hidden for centuries."

I think without solid proof, you cannot blame geocachers for this
destruction. How do you know that geocaching is causing this? You simply
don't know, unless someone confesses to it, or you catch it on camera or
something. To be honest, I wish you did have some concrete evidence. This
way, the guilty people can be dealt with, and geocaching can avoid the black
eye you've given it with irresponsible presumptions.

I do not claim that all geocachers are clean and respectful of the land. I
cannot state that, because it would be impossible to know the thousands of
people worldwide who enjoy this hobby. However, I also cannot say that there
are no reporters who embellish truths in their stories so that they might
create emotional responses within their readership. I don't know all
reporters, either.

But you've certainly selected your words with thought, saying that
geocachers "stumble upon Indian ruins, artifacts and petroglyphs..." as if
we're a clumsy crew of pirates looking to loot the treasures of undiscovered
lands. It's simply unfair that you let one or two people completely slant
your story against the geocaching community. Who's to say they didn't take
the artifacts for themselves, and point the blame on the geocachers? I know
that sounds ridiculous, but then again, isn't it ridiculous that a park
ranger would start a forest fire (referring to the Colorado fire earlier
this summer).

This email is already too long. I'm sure you have plenty of other things to
do. All I ask is that you get both sides of the story in future articles,
before you let one group's opinions materialize themselves as fact within
the pages of your publication.

Thank You,
Brent Milner
milner@unicon.net