Some Fan Mail (minus identifying information and some spelling errors)
Mon, 09 Dec 2002:
Subject: Nature's Way?
Hi Mike...
I've been having a lot of fun reading your informative missives. I enclose this morning's news for you. Could it be an example of Nature's Way of Balance. Like some kind of Gaia Principle of self-correction?
Anyway, keep up the valuable good work.
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/living/health/4699913.htm
Mon, 25 Nov 2002:
Subject: Re: Handling Hate Mail
Wow, Mike. Your technical expertise is AWESOME!!!!
Sun, 24 Nov 2002:
Subject: Re: "Wilderness and Mountain Bicycling"
Terrific.
Sat, 9 Nov 2002:
Subject: Re: "Equal Access" to Trails
Dr. Mike,
This response is especially on point and well written. Thanks for all of
your indefatigable efforts for rational use of our public nature lands.
Wed, 06 Nov 2002:
I would like to receive your information and updates on:
general environmental issues (incl. transportation)
wildlife/human-free habitat
anti-mountain biking
and I look forward to educating everyone I know about the problems I hear. I am going to talk to my cousin who writes for my local home newspaper about setting up an "Environmental Awareness" section. Keep up the good work!!
In Friendship,
…
Thanks.
Tue, 29 Oct 2002:
Subject: Re: Channel Islands Victory: New Protections for "The American Galapagos"
Mike, thanks so much for this news! It is indeed good. I am going to put it in the December issue of the … newsletter (10,000 circulation).
Again, I always appreciate your emails -- even if I don't respond a lot. I keep them. I even called someone about the buffalo email you sent (they were being shot). I think I shocked her.
Keep up the good work.
Thu, 26 Sep 2002:
Subject: Re: Bush Administration Water Cuts Result In Massive Fish Kill On Klamath River
I LOVE your listserv. We live in a tragically dark age, true. Get involved with the Green Party if you are serious about getting these bastards where they belong - in prison! And also one of our key values is ecology, species preservation, concern for the seventh generation. I can help find anyone who wants to help things to do, especially now - gotta register new voters by October 5th.
Love and peace...try to be strong!
Thu, 26 Sep 2002:
Subject: Re: Have you seen my web site?
I do like your site - even though I drive a car - have to as am
handicapped, but have driven as little as possible since before I was handicapped when I realized the problem in the 70s gas 'crisis.'
Mon, 23 Sep 2002:
Your web site is very cool.
I really like it.
I am also an environmentalist and humanist and always
appreciate to learn about others.…
Wed, 18 Sep 2002:
Right on Mike [re: mountain biking]! Keep up the good arguments... that'll keep 'em thinkin' and perhaps, that will stop some of them because their conscience and mind will finally meet at the same intersection.
Thu, 12 Sep 2002:
Subject: Re: Review of Park City Agreement regarding bicycles
Yeeaah Hah Mike. You go for it!!
Thu, 5 Sep 2002:
Subject: Regarding: Handbook On Environment Education For Teachers
Hi Dr. Mike Vandeman,
Let me introduce myself to you. I am …, an
ex-student of Bharathi Vidyapeeth, Pune, India.
This mail is in reference to your comment quoted at
the link
http://csf.colorado.edu/forums/deep-ecology/dec98/0010.html
I would take the opportunity to tell you that I had the
honor to study at the university, as well as to be a student
of the person (Dr. E. K. Bharucha) you mentioned in the comment.
I myself reside in …, California presently,
and would love to know more about your involvement in
environmental education and/or related topics.
I have gone through your website, and I loved reading it,
and there is so much of information, that I find
scarcity of time. Thank you for developing the site.
Kindly let me know, and it would be a pleasure to talk
to you especially being in the same field of interest.
Thu, 22 Aug 2002:
Subject: daintree rainforest
My name is … and we share a similar view to environmental protection.
No Humans in park!
I am with a group called the daintree rainforest foundation which raises funds for purchasing land for a wildlife refuge.
I have just developed a site at www.daintreerainforestfoundation.com and if you need any more info check it out. Also if you wish to link, please do cheers and keep up the good work
Mon, 19 Aug 2002:
Subject: Re: Mountain Biking in the East Bay Regional Parks
Keep it up Mike. Your arguments are fabulous! The fact is, the mountain bike "lobby" will always find a counter "fact" to dispute what you write. Hopefully the BOD of the EB Regional Park District will heed what you say. There are so many good arguments for not allowing mountain biking on public lands. My brother, who is a more avid bicyclist than I, has NEVER desired to do mountain biking. He and a couple of friends biked across Canada from the East to West. Every time I visit my brother we do a bike run that is always on roads and paved paths. He has always owned a road bike and I have a hybrid because the roads in Oakland are bad...
I don't know of any concientious bicyclist that would advocate mountain biking.
Thu, 15 Aug 2002:
Subject: Your advocacy for the planet and all its creatures
Dear Michael Vandeman,
I just received my National Geo and looked at its prediction for the earth. My son was here last night and he had the anger I once had about the deterioration of the environment. I have been a dormant activist, but hearing him put in me the urge to do something. And today, typing in a search on "those who hurt the earth" I came up with your website and numerous articles, which had I your wit I would have been pleased to have written. I hope you are well and continuing in this work. If you have other writings I should know about I'd appreciate a word or two in their direction.
Thu, 25 Jul 2002:
I love your website. I feel a little guilty because I have a mountain bike, but I only ride it (very slowly) on fire roads (never on trails) and I really only got it because I had a herniated disk and could not hike at that time. But I didn't write to you to confess my sins. I wrote because I think there is a book you would really appreciate, and you might want to add to your online list.
The book is "The Culture of Make Believe," by Derrick Jensen, author of "Listening to the Land," and "A Language Older than Words." There are some good reviews on Amazon.com.
Thanks for caring about wildlife so passionately--wildlife needs you now so much!
Thu, 25 Jul 2002:
Subject: Re: "Wildlife Need Habitat Off-Limits to Humans!"
Yep, great stuff Mike.
Mon, 08 Jul 2002:
Subject: Re: What Is Homo Sapiens' Place in Nature, from an Objective (Biocentric) Point of View?
Thanks for forwarding this. Keep up the great work!
Fri, 05 Jul 2002:
Subject: Re: Habitat Off-Limits to Humans -- Background Information
Your viewpoints are very interesting. Have you considered writing a book on human-free habitat?
Mon, 24 Jun 2002:
Subject: Re: Habitat Off-Limits to Humans
I believe that some areas should be inviolate and off limits to humans, so I agree with the concept of this resolution. I would have written some parts up differently, adding more information about the effects of disturbance, and a few revisions to the whereas's. I would be glad to work on more detailed comments after you get your initial responses back.
Thanks for including me in your mailing.
Sun, 23 Jun 2002:
Subject: Re: "Wildlife Need Habitat Off-Limits to Humans!"
I never thought of it that way, but I just love that sentence "Humans are the ants at every other species' picnic."
I'll have to try and use it when apropriate.
Wed, 12 Jun 2002:
Thanks for the link -- really interesting and informative site. I'll check back often during my lunch breaks!
Keep up the great work. I really like your mission.
Tue, 11 Jun 2002:
Subject: RE: "Wildlife Need Habitat Off-Limits to Humans!"
Hello, Mike. The US Forest Service was taking comments on the development of the Mokelumne Wilderness, ranging from off-limits to everything goes (I think they had 4 options). One was total non-intrusion by humans. That option was not chosen. Keep up the concept.
Mon, 10 Jun 2002:
Subject: Re: "Wildlife Need Habitat Off-Limits to Humans!"
Michael
Nice essay and right on the money.
Mon, 10 Jun 2002:
Subject: Re: "Wildlife Need Habitat Off-Limits to Humans!"
Hi Mike,
A very thoughtful piece. Thank you.
Fri, 07 Jun 2002:
Subject: Re: Are Mountain Bikers "Allies" of the Sierra Club?
Thanks for the info. Good arguments.
Fri, 07 Jun 2002:
Subject: Re: Are Mountain Bikers "Allies" of the Sierra Club?
Thank you, Mike. I am with you all the way. We have lost most of our local
hiking trails to mountain bikes....A terrible loss to the community.
Wed, 05 Jun 2002:
Subject: Re: Mountain Bikes: YIKES
[me:]Then you will like http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande/mtb9.htm.
Brilliant!
Tue, 04 Jun 2002:
Subject: Re: Mountain Biking Fails to Protect Land from Development
Mike, I like your theory. It makes perfect sense.
[a friend:]The truth remains, mountain bikers will never be satisfied with fire roads and demand exclusive singletrack.
[me:]Yes. They are INSATIABLE. I have a theory: activities that are inherently non-satisfying require you to do a lot more of them. E.g. a hiker has full access to all sights, sounds, smells, & touch. For a biker to get the same amount of sensations as a hiker gets in a 1-mile walk, he has to travel maybe 10 miles. Similarly, a motorcyclist has to go 100 miles, and a car driver 1000 miles. Approximately. :)
Sun, 02 Jun 2002:
Subject: Re: Mountain Bikes: YIKES
Thank you Mike--1000 times!
I will be reviewing all your info tomorrow. I just wanted to tell you I (and mother-nature) appreciate all your efforts and hope to build on your well crafted foundation! All I can say is these MB people are strange -- blank stares and cold eyes. That person posted your info thinking she was blasting away at you -- stupid move -- I grabbed the info and ran!
Sat, 01 Jun 2002:
Subject: RE: San Francisco Bay Chapter Resolutions on Mountain Biking
I really appreciate your taking such a well-informed stand on radical preservation of wilderness.
Fri, 31 May 2002:
Subject: Re: San Francisco Bay Chapter Resolutions on Mountain Biking I applaud your excellent call-to-arms on mountain biking. We now live here in … and my husband, …, has been trying to get agreement on wilderness boundaries for …. We have negotiated in seemingly good faith with the local mountain bikers (the most tenacious of whom are bike shop and tour owners) and have been met with nothing but lies and more lies. The local group also has several Forest Service personnel members who undoubtedly provide great political advice. FS participation while they may be biking enthusiasts give the bicycle group great cover since they can claim to help maintain and build trails - trails which would not be necessary were it not for their voracious use and need to go farther, faster - as you point out.
I will begin the process with my … Group, a geographic division of the … Chapter and see where I get with it. Meanwhile I will write a personal letter to the SC Board describing our problems and our experience with the Bicyclists of … County.
We have literally lost a lot of ground in these wilderness proposals to the mountain biking community and it needs to stop.
Fri, 31 May 2002:
Subject: RE: San Francisco Bay Chapter Resolutions on Mountain Biking
Bravo!
I would add that the reason we've sunk so deep into this hole is because bike manufacturers (and ORV manufacturers) created a magnificent ad campaign, complete with propaganda and "infiltration" of environmental ranks. In all these issues, if we just follow the money, we uncover the cause for the stench.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and comprehensive assessment. I'm sorry to hear that you personally have been threatened in any manner. Keep us posted, and tell us more of what we can do to help. I will forward your letter to all our activists. Thanks again.
Thu, 23 May 2002:
Subject: Re: Rescinding the Park City Accord
Just a note to say that I've been reading and filing (for future use) your
many emails on the subject of mountain biking and the needs of the natural
world. I want to thank you for all your eloquent and tenacious work on
behalf of wildlife and the need for truly responsible "management" of
wildlands and open spaces.
Wed, 17 Apr 2002:
I agree with many of your viewpoints AND I wonder if you are a
Vegan ... seems like you refer to eating chicken. I don't know.
Anyway...if you do....let me send you some opinions, intelligent quotes
and info. Basically...you can't be an environmentalist and eat animals
these days.
Thanks for a great site!
Sun, 14 Apr 2002:
Subject: Re: Plastic Trails in Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park!
Excellent point, Mike.
Fri, 12 Apr 2002:
Subject: Re: Plastic Trails in Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park!
Excellent letter.
Fri, 15 Mar 2002:
Subject: Re: Junk Science Rationalizing Mountain Biking, by Tom Geraghty
In a message dated 3/14/02 6:11:01 PM, mjvande@pacbell.net writes:
<< Here is a better research question: WHY DO MOUNTAIN BIKERS ALWAYS
LIE???????? You can use yourself as your first subject. >>
Dear Mike,
I'm proud to know you.
Wed, 06 Feb 2002:
Subject: A message of support
Dear Dr Vandeman.
I have been following some of your posts, and the
responses to them recently, concerning the effects and
dangers to others of mountain biking in ANY AREAS.
I have had numerous run-ins with these brightly
coloured thugs on trails and paths in my local
countryside and woods.
I have noticed that you are one of the few who will
openly stand against this destructive and pointless
activity.
I have on numerous occasion been passed by, very
closely at speed by groups of these people. They even
have the nerve to smile and offer trite greetings to
you as if you somehow condone their activities. Or is
it because they feel some need to justify themselves
due to guilt?
Anyway, I digress. I wanted to thank you for taking
the time and effort to continue your crusade against
these louts and hope you have the courage to persevere
in the face of such obvious hostility.
Kind regards.
Tue, 05 Feb 2002:
Hi Mike,
Still doing great work on your site!
Fri, 01 Feb 2002:
Subject: Re: "Wildlife Need Habitat Off-Limits to Humans!"
How may I help with the wildlife issue? I do agree with the work you are trying to do about this issue.
Thu, 31 Jan 2002:
Subject: Re: "Wildlife Need Habitat Off-Limits to Humans!"
Your home page, reading list, etc. are making me think. Thanks for the webpage address.)
Wed, 30 Jan 2002:
Subject: Re: "Wildlife Need Habitat Off-Limits to Humans!"
Mike,
Bravo!
Wed, 30 Jan 2002:
Subject: Re: "Wildlife Need Habitat Off-Limits to Humans!"
HI MIKE,
GOOD ARTICLE.