The single argument being presented by the "its OK to hunt in the park" side (although they'd never do it....) is this: Nobody has told them its against the law.
That's funny to me.
Its a lot like not walking across the school mascot on the sidewalk at your alma mater. You just don't do it.
Oh sure, nobody has designated that patch of ground as off limits to walking. Nobody has made it illegal to walk on the mascot. But thousands of students every year walk around it.
Why?
Because that piece of ground holds some significance the ground around it doesn't hold. Its respectful (the request of the OP, BTW) not to walk on it. Its tradition. Its honorable. And if some ignorant student stumbles over the mascot, or somebody who has determined its not against the law walks on it (the "I'm going to walk on it because there is no 'law'" types) - nearly any student in the vicinity will call out this mascot-walker out. There will be shouting. There will be cussing, and from the more vociferous there will be threats. There will be very many come against the one.
Some will explain it with patience and tolerance. Others will shame the mascot-walker into never forgetting that spot again. Some will feign violence. Some will side with the mascot walker. "He broke no laws" they will say - adding, "of course, I'd never walk on the mascot, but its within his rights to walk on it if he chooses..." These contrarians remain in the minority, clinging to their minority view, thanking goodness its not against the law - because here's the deal: They esteem order over tradition - determined to fight to the bitter end for equality at any cost.
The original poster asked for respect.
But the mascot stompers and those standing with the mascot stompers can't offer respect. They have chosen a flat earth view - where equality reigns and rule of order must be rigidly adhered to over honor, tradition, respect and a host of other timeless virtues. The will of the many are rendered meaningless to the those who support the mascot-treaders if they offer favor or preference outside of or apart from written law.
And that's fine. Its just funny.
My point hasn't changed: Some places are more special than others. Be it a few square yards of school mascot hewn in the sidewalk or a few hundred yards of manicured shore line. You don't need a law to know slogging across a school mascot is just bad form, and supporting someone's right to slog (although you'd never slog) is precisely the same as if you slogged yourself when you abandon tradition, honor and class - and simply cling to "the law" - waiting for someone to influence your decisions - in this case, "the law".
The dive park is a special place. There is no reason to hunt there. I just think its funny that the hunter's pep squad (made up of non-park hunters) are looking over their shoulder for someone else to say it's OK or not OK to hunt there.
So what now?
What happens if by some miracle the park becomes reserve? Well of course at that moment the hunter's pep squad's allegiance instantly changes. "Its now against the law - I can no longer support hunting here in this place...."
It must be rough on the nuggets, sitting on that fence all day, waiting to see which way the wind blows before you choose and defend a side or issue - only pointing to "the law."
Supporting the law is simple. Its without risk. You're never wrong, you're never forced to choose a side that is contrary to "the law". Its not against the law to hunt there (although you'd never hunt there) so let the lobster evisceration continue unabated.
When its not against the law to hunt, you support the hunter's right to take game from a dive park (although you'd never do it...) When it becomes against the law, you will now be against taking game from the park (although you would never do it...)
One day you're going to need to come off the fence, put down the wet finger, not care which direction the wind is blowing and choose a side on an issue - not simply side with whatever keeps you out trouble in the eyes of the law - qualifying your statements with "I'd never hunt there" is tipping your hand. You couldn't care less about the dive park. So long as you're on the side of the law (whatever side it falls on) you sleep fine.
Its the thing I find most amusing of all with the crowd supporting hunters in the park - there is no conviction in your position. Your only care is in supporting whatever "the law" says.
-K
