Don’t hike national park fees
Don’t hike national park fees
Our national parks face two persistent problems: Chronic underfunding that led to a nearly $12 billion backlog in maintenance, and massive crowds during peak seasons at the most popular destinations. …
The Trump administration wants to address both problems by raising the entry fee during the peak season at 17 top parks to $70 per vehicle, more than doubling the current fee (the rate would double for motorcycles and walk-ins as well). But such “surge pricing” effectively closes the door to certain lower-income families, to the advantage of wealthier ones.
There are better ways of addressing overcrowding.
To alleviate the press of cars, the government could bar private vehicles during peak seasons and ferry people around on shuttles. It could limit the number of vehicles allowed and award entry passes by lottery to reduce the volume of visitors. Rangers recommended last summer that Zion National Park adopt a reservation system for entry, much as it and other parks already use for controlling access to campsites.
The priorities here should be maintaining the parks (which Congress must fund), minimizing damage from overuse and ensuring the parks are as accessible as possible to all without placing too high a financial burden on those who choose to visit them. …
— Los Angeles Times
Trump Jr. right about free speech on campus
Speaking to a crowd of about 800 at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium during a recent visit to North Texas, Donald Trump Jr. described in no uncertain terms the current environment on many college campuses throughout the U.S. They “don’t teach civility or intellectual openness anymore,” he explained, before railing against university administrations for failing to foster independent thought and turning “traditional” values into “hate speech.”
Trump Jr. was referring to the disturbing trend at institutions of higher learning to shut down, drown out or altogether drive away speakers who have viewpoints that are controversial, unpopular and in some cases just different from the prevailing perspectives of students on campus. …
Attempts — which are in many cases successful — to prevent open and civil discourse from occurring are increasingly common. Trump Jr. is right to express dismay about their frequency and, in some cases, the complicity of university administrations.
Of course, the irony is not lost on us that Trump Jr. chose to make his pointed critique of universities during an event sponsored by the University of North Texas.
And he acknowledged that UNT is one of “the exceptions” to university’s bent on reining in free speech.
Despite UNT President Neal Smatresk’s lack of enthusiasm for Trump Jr.’s appearance and a sizable number of faculty who formally voiced their opposition, the president’s son was still welcomed to come speak.
That might seem like a victory for Trump Jr., but it’s truly a victory for free speech.
Universities fail students if all they are is echo chambers.
Good for UNT for refusing to be one.
— Fort Worth Star-Telegram