MRG: Have they lost it?

[Sledhaulingmedic]

From MRG's Facebook Page:

Operation Free Heel has succeeded! A dozen sets of backcountry ski gear donated by the MRG community has landed in Afghanistan. They will be used to train local ski guides so they can develop a nascent eco-tourism industry. We hope to send another shipment so please help by donating any used 3 pin tele boots, bindings, skis or and skins

Not that I ski there much, but I believe I'm now done. What's next? "Ski it if you can, and help support terrorism"?

[honus]

From MRG's Facebook Page:



Not that I ski there much, but I believe I'm now done. What's next? "Ski it if you can, and help support terrorism"?


You sir, are ignorant.

Luke

[Sledhaulingmedic]

OK, enlighten me! Why is supporting ecoterrorism a good idea?

[honus]

Dude, reread what you posted a couple times. There is a HUGE difference between ecotourism and ecoterrorism.

Luke

[Sledhaulingmedic]

OK I am. Actually, I just need my reading glasses!

I think I'll pass on eco touring in the 'stan, however.

[DMC]

I just pissed myself from laughing... It's like an Emily Litella skit from SNL haha... :)

A good friend of mine is an Army Ranger and snowboarder... He drooled over lines while stationed in the mountains of Afghanistan and hopes to return with a snowboard someday. I'd love to go with him.. Someday.

[Jay$]

thanks...

after a sh1tty monday of work... that was refreshing... laughed out loud!

[bvibert]

Sorry to laugh at your expense, but it is pretty funny!

If it makes you feel any better I read it that way at first too...

[twintipper]

great, al queda is going to break the lift when hundreds of americans flock to ski afgan....if only they had dawn patrolled.

[yuckster]

Although MRG's effort may seem futile to some, I tend to see it as something that, all things being equal, may reduce terrorism (if it has any affect at all, that is.)

[apingaut]

OK, enlighten me! Why is supporting ecoterrorism a good idea?

So having skis makes one an "Ecoterrorist"? Jeepers better stay home tiz the season

[surfsnowywaves]

Sorry SHM, but I'll agree with Luke on this one. To be realistic about the situation, if the US wants to have any hope of setting up a government in A'stan that isn't Taliban based, then the first thing that needs to happen is that an economy needs to exist which the rest of the world's governments see as legal. You know, consider the slogan to be something like "Powder not Poppies" or something. Yes, it's a tiny contribution, but I don't think it's stupid or outlandish. There's been a decent amount of western interest in skiing in Asia recently, in fact, a guy named Dave Watson, from VT, has spent some time in India helping to develop snow safety knowledge in Kashmir. There's even people skiing in places like Tajikistan. Heck, you want weird skiing? Ever considered skiing in Turkey, Iran, or Lebanon? 'Tis all possible.

If you have a problem with ecotourism, that's a different thing. You might get some sympathy from me there. But that helping folks out by maybe letting them create an income leads to terrorism? I don't know about that statement. <Insert ending statement about 50% of US budget going towards military.>

If more people in this world skied, it would be a happier place.

[Sledhaulingmedic]

I just pissed myself from laughing... It's like an Emily Litella skit from SNL haha... :)

A good friend of mine is an Army Ranger and snowboarder... He drooled over lines while stationed in the mountains of Afghanistan and hopes to return with a snowboard someday. I'd love to go with him.. Someday.

"Never Mind!" It's the best laugh I've had in weeks, actually. I will even admit that no tequila was consumed in the creation of that post. Glad someone else got a laugh out of it.

[davygoat2]

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203093&highlight=afghanistan
yep . posted the link
think it was on TGR showing "TR" pics of awesome unskied lines in Afghanistan.
Peace thru superior skipower.........
Poppies don't grow in the winter. Who knows maybe they will get the sickness we all have succumbed to and just rather ski all year.
I'll try to see if 10th mountain has any shredding pics.
hell of a job they have to do over there.. right or wrong wish they all come home safe.
A day off and turns in afghani pow I wish for them

[natron]

consider the slogan to be something like "Powder not Poppies"

by Bolivia:D

[Sledhaulingmedic]

Sorry SHM, but I'll agree with Luke on this one. To be realistic about the situation, if the US wants to have any hope of setting up a government in A'stan that isn't Taliban based, then the first thing that needs to happen is that an economy needs to exist which the rest of the world's governments see as legal. You know, consider the slogan to be something like "Powder not Poppies" or something. Yes, it's a tiny contribution, but I don't think it's stupid or outlandish. There's been a decent amount of western interest in skiing in Asia recently, in fact, a guy named Dave Watson, from VT, has spent some time in India helping to develop snow safety knowledge in Kashmir. There's even people skiing in places like Tajikistan. Heck, you want weird skiing? Ever considered skiing in Turkey, Iran, or Lebanon? 'Tis all possible.

If you have a problem with ecotourism, that's a different thing. You might get some sympathy from me there. But that helping folks out by maybe letting them create an income leads to terrorism? I don't know about that statement. <Insert ending statement about 50% of US budget going towards military.>

If more people in this world skied, it would be a happier place.

Might want want to re-read my (understated) response.

I read "eco-tourism" as "eco-terrorism". Do I think this effort of supporting "eco-tourism" is well intended, albeit a little idealist? Yes. I find it hysterical that I misread it and actually responded to it. I'll admit, I do stereotype the MRG skiers as being "a little left of center", but this was more than a little overboard:)

Have a chuckle, at the expense of my ignorance (and need of reading glasses). I know I am!

[P-HUG]

Just saw the folks at MGR picked up on this thread and posted a link on they're Facebook page. Guess they got a pretty good laugh out of it too.
Cheers

[Seeker]

Just saw the folks at MGR picked up on this thread and posted a link on they're Facebook page. Guess they got a pretty good laugh out of it too.
Cheers

I saw that too, although they thought it was on "Friends of Tuckerman." Apparently, they can't read either. ;):p

[surfsnowywaves]

Might want want to re-read my (understated) response.

I read "eco-tourism" as "eco-terrorism".


:doh:

I didn't pick up on that at all.

Still though, I hear there's some biiiiiig mountains over there.

http://www.molon.de/galleries/Thailand/Flight/images01/06%20Afghanistan%20mountains%20in%20winter.jpg

[PWDR8S]

Eco terrorism by flattening all the snow crystals as we ski on them? Hoooo haw haw haw! Good chuckle on this one.

Setting up the opportunity for people to ski in the 'stan is actually a great idea. I do get occasional calls for arranging ski trips to exotic locations and I actually had an inquiry back in March about Afghanistan. There is interest out there. Everything we can do to provide alternative income streams for the locals means less likely candidates for Taliban recruitment, etc.

Eco tourism is the new buzzword in my industry and it has taken hold. I'm pleased to see this trend.

[Luddite]

From the pics I've seen some terrain I'd like to tackle on the mtb...