FORESTS: Fees in the trees

I have just learned that the Forest Service has been trying to pass a fee for taking a picture in the forest. The fee can be as much as $1,500. This applies to organizations and individuals alike. If this be true then we need to inform tourists that our politicians have finally gone round the frigging pipe.

It’s hard to believe any rational person wound entertain such a stupid idea but then again they are politicians. I wonder what penalties will be imposed for not purchasing a permit to take a snapshot. Will people now have to smuggle their photos out of the forest? Please, someone tell me this is some kind of a prank or that we are all being punked. Can you imagine charging people to take photos of the Statue of Liberty, or maybe even the moon? What other stupid ideas will our elected officials be coming up with? Here’s an idea, let’s tax politicians for being idiots! That should raise millions of dollars.

JOHN WILLARD

Post Falls

Editor’s note: The proposed directive would apply only to commercial photography and filming in congressionally designated wildnerness areas. Recreational, non-commercial photography would not be affected. Also, news organizations would not need permits.