Something I have stuggled with for most of my life is the unacceptable situation created by the imposition of non-conformists in a majority conformist public environment, and the often ineffective and escalatory effort of law enforcement or security at dealing with the non-conformist.
Campgrounds and parks are perfect examples of this. Most of the people that frequent these places are respectable, considerate, and often family oriented. Sometimes the youngsters can be a little bit intrusive, but so long as it is not overtly so, other occupants will generally accept this.
Then you get the vagrants, the bums, the wierdos, the vandals, the theives, the punks, the gang bangers, and the psycho-nutsos, who intend to impose their bad behavior on the other occupants of such facilities. They ignore rules, laws, and are inconsiderate to say the least. When confronted by the other occupants, they either ignore the requests, or issue inappropriate and threatening challenges. In fact, oftentimes those who would confront them become the target of their aberrant behavior.
Then the authorities are contacted and all they do is come in, tell the pests to quit annoying the other occupants, and usually leave after a bit of blatant observation. So the pests will quiet down for a little while, then once the authorities have left start up their antics again, or even escalate it to the point of genuine harrassment. Seldom have I actually seen these pests get run off never to return. Then usually a conflict arises and someone's outing gets ruined. Then the cops show up after the fact and begin their process of effectively dealing with the pests, after the damage is done. I experienced this type of situation directly and indirectly repeatedly over my lifetime, and it is just as unacceptable now as it was when I was a kid, even moreso now since I am the silverback.
Life doesn't have to imitate Pleasantville, but it would be nice if the treasures which we are constantly being asked to preserve and perpetuate for our descendants were proactively managed so that we can also enjoy them in the present tense.
In every hunter ed class I taught, I got to present the part on hunter ethics, a role I inherited from the Chief Instructor. Usually that is one of the hardest talks to give and keep the students captivated about. You really have to teach it passionately and keep them involved. One point we drive home with large blunt force is the necessity of respecting others when sharing public areas. Being such a big, imposing presence, I learned to deliver that particular part of the lesson with such effect that there's no doubt a lasting impression was put on these minds. It is the only time when I actually raise my voice, gesticulate authoritatively, and add a hint of anger to my tone. It is not a very comfortable thing for me to do, but all of the instructors felt it a necessary and vital part of the delivery of the message. The way we see it, if the message gets pounded in far enough, it will seep over into influencing more of the behavior in public. The more positive influence we can have, the better.
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The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.
-- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)
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