Re: Emmett Berg comments

I had no idea that the LA Times readership is primarily low-income children from Los Angeles! Emmett, are you trying to claim that your piece was aimed at informing poor people of our natural wonders in the area? Maybe you should check the stats on who reads the LA Times, because that paper does not make it's money in Compton. I personally could think of nothing better than exposing low-income children to the natural world around them. But don't delude yourself into thinking that your piece will educate poor people about Deep Creek. The reasons low income people do not travel to our natural sites has more to do with education levels and financial resources rather than knowledge of the places to begin with. And have you ever been to the beaches in LA? I go regularly, and the crowds always seem mixed to me. Don't tell me Venice Beach is underserved racially! I am not claiming that your piece will lead to the destruction of Deep Creek by LA Times readers, but it is likely that it will lead to increased visitation. The place is already overcrowded as is, and any more publicity for the place does not help anyone. As I wrote before, let people seek the place for themselves, as I did, rather than advertise it for millions of readers. If you really want to help inner city children, I can give you some information on non-profits that take disadvanted kids on backpacking trips.