Rainbow family (Casper, Pinedale: military, doctorate, plumbing)

[dictionary]

Wow, I think there is a lot of vitrol towards the rainbow organization. I think from what I've seen of them in other festivals in North Carolina that they are a pretty harmless bunch, of course there is a bad apple in every pile. But I really find it scary that someone suggested "the catch on the M-16" or whatever should be lifted.

I guess that gives me total right to say the same about hillbillies.. I'm sorry but I've lost a lot of respect and am frankly shocked by the postings.

Wow, incredible bullyism, arrogance.. absolutely amazing. I'm not condoning some of the rainbow activities, I'm just shocked at the postings. shocked and horrified.

I am now going to go be a nasty rude in their face person to my hillbilly neighbors that are ignoring covenants.. I mean it seems to be ok to be that way to so called hippies right?

I love, love the posts that came from this.. it so sums up the Wyoming attitude.

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by dictionary

Wow, I think there is a lot of vitrol towards the rainbow organization. I think from what I've seen of them in other festivals in North Carolina that they are a pretty harmless bunch, of course there is a bad apple in every pile. But I really find it scary that someone suggested "the catch on the M-16" or whatever should be lifted.

I guess that gives me total right to say the same about hillbillies.. I'm sorry but I've lost a lot of respect and am frankly shocked by the postings.

Wow, incredible bullyism, arrogance.. absolutely amazing. I'm not condoning some of the rainbow activities, I'm just shocked at the postings. shocked and horrified.

I am now going to go be a nasty rude in their face person to my hillbilly neighbors that are ignoring covenants.. I mean it seems to be ok to be that way to so called hippies right?

I love, love the posts that came from this.. it so sums up the Wyoming attitude.

I guess you only read what you want to and not all the posts.

I never mentioned hippies, did I? Nope. I simply said when 400 rowdy people attack 10 law enforcement officers with rocks, something should be done about it.

As to your posts about hillbillies? I would curb that. It's slanderouse.

[Kristynwy]

Originally Posted by dictionary

Wow, I think there is a lot of vitrol towards the rainbow organization. I think from what I've seen of them in other festivals in North Carolina that they are a pretty harmless bunch, of course there is a bad apple in every pile. But I really find it scary that someone suggested "the catch on the M-16" or whatever should be lifted.

I guess that gives me total right to say the same about hillbillies.. I'm sorry but I've lost a lot of respect and am frankly shocked by the postings.

Wow, incredible bullyism, arrogance.. absolutely amazing. I'm not condoning some of the rainbow activities, I'm just shocked at the postings. shocked and horrified.

I am now going to go be a nasty rude in their face person to my hillbilly neighbors that are ignoring covenants.. I mean it seems to be ok to be that way to so called hippies right?

I love, love the posts that came from this.. it so sums up the Wyoming attitude.

Your response is a total contradiction to yourself?
Boy don't you fit right in to your own sterio-type? You are accusing posters of discriminating against hippies, yet you are slandering anyone and everyone you can that lives in Wyoming???? Yet you use that as an excuse to lower yourself to the point you slander all of Wyoming and your neighbors????? Ever heard the saying Two Wrongs Don't make a right???

I personally don't think any post was slandering hippies. But that is besides the point, even if they were, what an example of a fair and just attitude, NOT! You are basically making fun of people that act like you do; you are shocked and up in arms about the poor hippies, but boy you just let it rip about how disgusted you are about Wyoming and your neighbors.
Another thing, you won't be nasty and rude to a person's face, but you can spew this garbage on a forum and behind people's backs???

Boy what an example of a so-called upstanding citizen!?! *Sarcasm*

[Cloudfish]

Irony abounds. Gotta love it.

Ms. dictionary, you mention vitriol towards the Rainbow's and yet in practically the same proverbial breath spew your own. In fact the vast majority of your posts that concern Wyoming display your obvious disdain towards the place and the good people in it.

To use the excuse of the previous postings to give you the "total right" to say the same about "hillbillies" never stopped you before. You live in the US--it was already your right--and you've had no qualms using it.

Perhaps your writings are meant to stir a bitter pot. You seem to live in a paradigm that awards you a heralded elitist position. The contempt drips from your words. Your derision of people in Wyoming very well could be the very source of your obvious misery. I've never known pecksniffish people to be very happy....

What I'm trying to say here is that maybe you could try to find some positive things about where you're living and the people around you. While they may not have the same interests as you do, and vice versa, obviously, often times a modicum of effort goes a long way.

[tekape]

I'm not offended by ignorance. I find it sad that "dictionary" feels the need to read only what she will from the posts. Kind of like my previous posts of taking something out of context.....I couldn't make an informed decision regarding the South Park posting until I saw the actual episode for myself.

Too bad not everyone does the same.....

[WyoMama]

Originally Posted by dictionary

Wow, I think there is a lot of vitrol towards the rainbow organization. I think from what I've seen of them in other festivals in North Carolina that they are a pretty harmless bunch, of course there is a bad apple in every pile. But I really find it scary that someone suggested "the catch on the M-16" or whatever should be lifted.

I guess that gives me total right to say the same about hillbillies.. I'm sorry but I've lost a lot of respect and am frankly shocked by the postings.

Wow, incredible bullyism, arrogance.. absolutely amazing. I'm not condoning some of the rainbow activities, I'm just shocked at the postings. shocked and horrified.

I am now going to go be a nasty rude in their face person to my hillbilly neighbors that are ignoring covenants.. I mean it seems to be ok to be that way to so called hippies right?

I love, love the posts that came from this.. it so sums up the Wyoming attitude.

Thanks for summing up my heritage in your comments about hillbillies - I am a "hillbilly" from Ohio Appalachia & my son lives in WV & is a "hillbilly" to the end. Yep - even spent time coal mining until he got on with Appalachian Electric & Power. And I came out west when I was a teenager & doggone if I didn't become a hippy - other than the drugs many used (not all - I knew plenty of 'em who didn't use illegal drugs but did generally at least drink). I rode with 'em, partied with 'em, moved with 'em & did my time until I "grew up". But one thing we were not (as a hippy) was violence. So, to generalize that ppl here are saying "hippies (or hillbillies - where did that come from - I need to go back & re-read again obviously) are being dissed here means you chose not to read the whole posts, which seems to be your tendency. And then as everybody has said before me, show the same attitude, generalization & prejudicial comments you accuse others of doing. I think you need to get yo'self a life - something to do other than be so NEGATIVE!!! What an existance...always looking for the bad. Doesn't sound like a very satisfying way to float thru life...

[BABsMom]

Originally Posted by dictionary

Wow, I think there is a lot of vitrol towards the rainbow organization. I think from what I've seen of them in other festivals in North Carolina that they are a pretty harmless bunch, of course there is a bad apple in every pile. But I really find it scary that someone suggested "the catch on the M-16" or whatever should be lifted.

I guess that gives me total right to say the same about hillbillies.. I'm sorry but I've lost a lot of respect and am frankly shocked by the postings.

Wow, incredible bullyism, arrogance.. absolutely amazing. I'm not condoning some of the rainbow activities, I'm just shocked at the postings. shocked and horrified.

I am now going to go be a nasty rude in their face person to my hillbilly neighbors that are ignoring covenants.. I mean it seems to be ok to be that way to so called hippies right?

I love, love the posts that came from this.. it so sums up the Wyoming attitude.

You guys are talking about the people from that King of the Hill episode where Bobby, Hank and the guys go camping, and there's this group of ppl who destroy the campground, walk around naked, etc., right?

Being as I have never had any experience w/ Rainbow ppl, I have to think that there wouldn't be so many shows depicting how these ppl are and them being equal in events if it wasn't so...have you ever cleaned up after them??

Not to mention that if you were "sorry" for your hillbilly comment, you would've not posted it...after all this is a computer and it's not permanent until you click "submit" ...and "hillbillies" don't go together in groups destroying park land and places where parents try to take there children on outings to experience nature. (Do you have kids???) I am from AR, grew up in MO...have lots of family in AR and TN...so explain to me what a "hillbilly" is classified as and how they are the same as a "hippie", b/c I'll guarantee you'll have a lot of ppl to argue with.

How is stating facts of what has happened w/ those ppl "bullying" and being "arrogant"??? Where's your newspaper links to read stories on how the Rainbow ppl are "a harmless bunch" and there's just "a bad apple in every pile"? Takes more than "a bad apple" and once you're in an organization where some destroy things, it automatically will give the whole group a bad name. I went back and read and didn't see anyone even mentioning the word "hippie" except you...

Also, why would the state's Congresswoman and the Governor spend time writing to the Fed Gov addressing the issue if it wasn't important?? They wouldn't waste their time if the Rainbows were as you said they were. So if not putting up with ppl trashing the beautiful land and towns in WY is the WY attitude, then I want to be a part of that. If you don't, then just go back where you came from.

[WyoMama]

Originally Posted by BABsMom

You guys are talking about the people from that King of the Hill episode where Bobby, Hank and the guys go camping, and there's this group of ppl who destroy the campground, walk around naked, etc., right?

Being as I have never had any experience w/ Rainbow ppl, I have to think that there wouldn't be so many shows depicting how these ppl are and them being equal in events if it wasn't so...have you ever cleaned up after them??

Not to mention that if you were "sorry" for your hillbilly comment, you would've not posted it...after all this is a computer and it's not permanent until you click "submit" ...and "hillbillies" don't go together in groups destroying park land and places where parents try to take there children on outings to experience nature. (Do you have kids???) I am from AR, grew up in MO...have lots of family in AR and TN...so explain to me what a "hillbilly" is classified as and how they are the same as a "hippie", b/c I'll guarantee you'll have a lot of ppl to argue with.

How is stating facts of what has happened w/ those ppl "bullying" and being "arrogant"??? Where's your newspaper links to read stories on how the Rainbow ppl are "a harmless bunch" and there's just "a bad apple in every pile"? Takes more than "a bad apple" and once you're in an organization where some destroy things, it automatically will give the whole group a bad name. I went back and read and didn't see anyone even mentioning the word "hippie" except you...

Also, why would the state's Congresswoman and the Governor spend time writing to the Fed Gov addressing the issue if it wasn't important?? They wouldn't waste their time if the Rainbows were as you said they were. So if not putting up with ppl trashing the beautiful land and towns in WY is the WY attitude, then I want to be a part of that. If you don't, then just go back where you came from.

Great post - she wouldn't know WHERE to go back to where she came from because she has jet-setted all over the world, from previous posts she made, and I feel sorry for wherever she lives that has to deal with her on a daily basis. Is really a negative way to see the world. And yeah - comparing "hillbillies" & "hippies" is comparing apples & oranges. Hillbillies have pride in their heritage. I'm an old hippie too, as well as Hillbilly raised, but I have more pride & CULTURE in my Hillbilly upbringing. A proud, stubborn to the end of what is right, and is amazing how much of our culture today started with the "hillbilly" culture - like NASCAR just as one boring example, but big bucks. And where DID hillbillies come up on here before Dictionary bring it up in the first place? I have re-read - still missed any comment about Hillbillies... The Rainbow bunch definitely don't have any respect for their surroundings, nature (for which the real hippies REALLY had a huge respect), so they are some sort of just a bunch of freaks that are in and of themselves & that is about as far as they care about from what I know about them - including dealing with them in years past in Wyo, the fires, the bouts of violence, etc. Isn't "one bad apple".

[AbeYonder]

Dear Friends;
I am a life long member of the Rainbow Family, and my children have all been raised within the Rainbow Family. I attended my first gathering when I was 21 and now I am 62. I have a doctorate level education and I own a 100 acre tree farm. Tree hugging is my cash crop, and I live year around in the woods and I don't have indoor plumbing. I have grey hair and a white beard and I don't stink, don't do drugs, and my children all have good professions. Two of my sons are helicopter pilots, two work on the pipeline, and one works for the BLM as a specialist, and they are all Rainbows.
I see a lot of bias and prejudice about Rainbows because people will identify Rainbows with all the freeloaders, bums and drifters that are attracted to these gatherings. The gatherings are entirely free to all and to anyone, lots of free food and free fun and free music attracts lots of freeloaders. That is just fine. If you thing these freeloaders give your town a bad name, just look at the bad name it gives to us; but that can't be helped.
Jesus experienced the same thing.
Free to all a healing stream, some will come and be healed, many will not, but will come for the loaves and the fishes.

Peace, love, and the practice of American freedom and complete democracy by consensus in tribal counsel is what Rainbow is all about. Anyone, even the least, man, woman, or child has an equal voice in the tribal counsel.
Once a year a gathering is held on public lands to meet on our day of independence and pray for world peace; after that a counsel is held to discuss any vision that anyone has. Sometimes it goes on for days, while others are busy cleaning up the camp; and in places where local harassment does not prevent it; every sign of habitation will disappear. The trails will disappear, and not even a gum wrapper nor a cigarette butt will be found anywhere the Rainbow encampment was.
There have been other times and places where the Rainbow Family were run off, fined, or jailed for staying too long to clean up the place. The current 2008 gathering near Pinedale is now experiencing and has been experiencing a lot of resistance to its attempts at clean-up; such as local refusal to provide a dumpster or allow dumping in local landfills, so all the trash and things left behind have to be taken to far off locations at great expense.
As of today, some generous individuals have provided rental trucks to haul away all the trash and things left behind.
In all free countries the world over the Rainbow family gathers on whatever that country calls its day of independence. In Mexico the gathering is held on May 5. In other countries at different times, and in some countries the gatherings are still illegal and unannounced.

I pray that this brief explaination will help you understand more about the Rainbow Family. If you have any questions or comments you may email me personally or reply in this forum.---Abe Yonder

[WyoMama]

As far as you having to haul your own garbage, we all have to haul our own out no matter how big our party is. Why should you be different?

2. Trails don't "disappear" in Wyoming. They are there for a VERY long time whether by foot, horses, bicycles or ATV. That is the nature of our terrain in Wyoming. Not like back east where you can drive & drive over an area & the grass grows so fast you can't even tell. 2-3 times over the same trail & you have a semi-permanent 2-track.

3. If you overstay your welcome - isn't that from your lack of planning? Anybody who has access to a computer - as you do, Abe, can find out how long you are allowed to stay on public land & any permits, etc. you may need.

In summary, don't blame the towns / counties for not providing dumpsters as a problem - that is you OWN problem to take care of, just as it is for the rest of us. Don't think trails don't stay - they do for a LONG time. And as far as being jailed for staying too long, sounds like lack of planning. And I have never known somebody in Wyo to be JAILED for overstaying their allotted time in an area. My son helped clean up after a Rainbow gathering in Pinedale a few years ago & has pics. Maybe you need to be more responsible for the "freeloaders" & "bums" you attract & apparently increase your mess & litter. Since you allow everybody you need to take on the responsibility of cleaning up all of them as well.

What is this - discussing "visions"? Are these Peyote visions? or what? You talk about praying for world peace & compare your plight to that of Jesus. If you know anything about what Jesus says to his apostles, he says he "is not part of this world and neither shall you be" in order to truly follow him. What he means is that until man understands that man cannot govern man (that is GOD'S job) then there will continue to be war & not peace. So you compare yourselves to Jesus' plight, yet you recognize & celebrate on the countrys' days of independence. Is hypocritical. Man will always want to be over other men & countries - I think world history has proven that as much as it can be proven.