When Horses in the Sun settled in the valley under the watchful eye of the mountain ridge that towers above them, I thought it was a magnificent spot for a showcase for horses. Now we read about HITS possibly moving, because the surroundings don’t fit a “lifestyle” visitors were used to.
Isn’t it odd that the beauty of our region is what draws people from areas where frantic congestion rules! Yet, these visitors feel that our farmland and woodlands, valleys and mountain vistas should also bear night clubs, ritzy restaurants, spas and other services. These people forget what they are…visitors. If someone came to your house, would you not be indignant if they treated your home with distain, or asked for more than you could provide? Natural beauty, our resources, and a gentler life-style are being eaten up by empty glitz and frenzy.
As meccas of natural beauty cater to people who demand more and more services, what happens? In the name of Progress, the most fertile farmland is covered with malls, “services”, and housing developments; our forests are decimated and soiled; and our mountains and valleys are filled with people seeking “thrills”. Can someone stand outside at night and be awed by neon lights? Or should they thrill at the sight of the glorious stars and the streak of the Milky Way against a velvety sky? Our young ones are under enough pressure. Do we need the disorder and lawlessness that is on the increase? Beware, lest forgotten become the simple joys in our own glorious backyard; the ideals of family and neighbors; and the thrill in the simple gifts of nature.
Should the “’customer’s needs…come first’” if it mars the seduction of an area? Should “foreigners” dictate to us? We possess natural treasures, worth more than all the currency they can bring. Can we appreciate our own wonders so we can help visitors see them? Yes, this area does need jobs. However, once money rules, greed can quickly slip her hand into the glove of discontent. But are there any easy answers? Sad to say, no.
Democratic Dilemmas and Divine Inspiration examines the significance or relevance of the idea that the U.S. Constitution was, as many believe, divinely inspired. How much did that belief matter to founders of the nation and how much does it matter no
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