Dear Editor: Licenses - The Latest Overstep

Dear Editor,

Although one might note that this letter is somewhat in response to the FWP article in the most recent Whitehall Ledger (3/20/24), it is a long time coming and overdue!

The most accepted definition of "license" is "a permit from an authority to own or use something, do a particular thing, or carry on a trade (especially in alcoholic beverages)." However, the legal definition is a bit starker and more honest: "permission granted by a qualified authority permitting a licensee to do something that would otherwise be prohibited."

The decision by the FWP to require a special license for anyone to enjoy recreating on public land is simply the latest overstep in a long history of public servants (Federal or state government) overstepping their bounds. On the one hand, this is understandable, even almost forgivable, because the American people have become so irresponsible with seemingly no respect, or little anyway, for the bounties of Mother Nature that the government instituted "of, for, and by the people" has taken that responsibility upon their shoulders.

On the other hand, though, aside from the fact that they, too, as American citizens, are entitled to access to public lands as much as the next, this entitlement gives them NO right to make a law telling others they cannot access these same public lands without their express written consent, e.g., a license!

Again, it is understandable that the federal, state, and local government entities have felt the need to take it upon themselves to bear this burden, for it IS quite a burden, but that doesn't mean it's right. I talked about "entitlement" (yeah, I know, that's a bad word these days!), but every American IS entitled to the freedom to do what they wish, given they do no harm, treating others, including public lands, with the respect they deserve. Unfortunately, we have all witnessed the growing disrespect the public seems to have for these natural laws. I must also mention that as a veritable melting pot, the United States no longer plays host to just Americans but to a growing host of foreign agents who seem to have even LESS respect for these laws, again, speaking in generalities.

So, hopeless as it may seem, what are we to do? What CAN we do? We hear a lot about closing the borders, and that's not a bad idea, but wouldn't it be like closing the gate after the horses have escaped? Stricter law enforcement? Haven't we had enough?

The best we can do is govern ourselves! If this means giving up our natural rights for the time being and doing what we're told, so long as we're not breaking the natural laws, then so be it! We must bide our time! Better times are coming, but ONLY if we start accepting responsibility for our own actions and what we generally view as our property! It begins with us!

Charles Haddon Shank

Whitehall, Montana