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[MeyerLouie]

Then what? We stick our heads in the sand and don't consider the cultural events of our day as having an impact on Norjak?

What do you suggest if I'm covering the Whatever at Ariel next year and a biker dude doesn't like my attitude or doesn't want me taking pix, pushes me to the ground and starts kicking. What do I do then? Call the cops? There's no cell phone reception in Ariel. It's total "Deliverance Country."

I suspect that a Trump presidency would encourage violent behavior all across the American spectrum.

Really Bruce?  What you describe has never even been remotely possible.  Like I said earlier, most Ariel folks are pretty nice, most have all their teeth, and not one local there has ever said, "Squeal like a pig."  Violence has never been in the cards at Ariel.  I don't think Dona ever tolerated it.  The locals around Ariel are not as hillbilly and crude as you make them out to be.

[Shutter]

Then what? We stick our heads in the sand and don't consider the cultural events of our day as having an impact on Norjak?

What do you suggest if I'm covering the Whatever at Ariel next year and a biker dude doesn't like my attitude or doesn't want me taking pix, pushes me to the ground and starts kicking. What do I do then? Call the cops? There's no cell phone reception in Ariel. It's total "Deliverance Country."

I suspect that a Trump presidency would encourage violent behavior all across the American spectrum.

Really Bruce?  What you describe has never even been remotely possible.  Like I said earlier, most Ariel folks are pretty nice, most have all their teeth, and not one local there has ever said, "Squeal like a pig."  Violence has never been in the cards at Ariel.  I don't think Dona ever tolerated it.  The locals around Ariel are not as hillbilly and crude as you make them out to be.

I agree Meyer, I have never read, or heard anything 'violence wise" about Ariel, not that fights don't happen, but I doubt anything to write about...

[Bruce A. Smith]

Maybe we should change the metaphor to Duck Dynasty.

But am I correct to say that there were firearms on display? I didn't see any myself, but I sure could feel them via the Concealed Carry Permit provisions of WA laws. But I did hear one report that someone else had seen one pistolaro.

Maybe I should ask RMB? Wassup, RMB, did you bring your guns to Ariel?

[Shutter]

who, and why would they display firearms? I don't see where this would fit into what they are trying to accomplish?

[georger]

who, and why would they display firearms? I don't see where this would fit into what they are trying to accomplish?

Fact: during his time at DZ Blevins constantly talked about shooting and weapons, his shooting prowess, posted numerous pics of himself shooting, etc. Blevins is the one who brought firearms to the table - nobody else did and few responded but it was definitely a card Blevins played often at DZ. Why is anyone's guess, because almost no one responded to his weapons tripe, in a DB Cooper forum no less! In fact, Blevins brought in 'weapons' almost as often as 377 brought in 'radios'. I guess Blevins wanted the world to know he is a Master arms-man and shooter?

And that just scratches the surface!       Here's vigilante RMB at work. (one of his posts at DZ)

[MeyerLouie]

Maybe we should change the metaphor to Duck Dynasty.

But am I correct to say that there were firearms on display? I didn't see any myself, but I sure could feel them via the Concealed Carry Permit provisions of WA laws. But I did hear one report that someone else had seen one pistolaro.

Maybe I should ask RMB? Wassup, RMB, did you bring your guns to Ariel?

It's not unusual for country folks to have firearms in Cooper country, or anywhere else in WA state.  I'm not sure what the concern is all about. 
Meyer

[MeyerLouie]

Then what? We stick our heads in the sand and don't consider the cultural events of our day as having an impact on Norjak?

What do you suggest if I'm covering the Whatever at Ariel next year and a biker dude doesn't like my attitude or doesn't want me taking pix, pushes me to the ground and starts kicking. What do I do then? Call the cops? There's no cell phone reception in Ariel. It's total "Deliverance Country."

I suspect that a Trump presidency would encourage violent behavior all across the American spectrum.

Trump, and Hilary have no impact on the Cooper story. these are current political events that don't belong. nothing but trouble follows with political comments.

I don't know what to tell you about the reception in Ariel, that's out of my hands. I guess Duane Weber didn't take this into consideration while building all the towers surround his jump zone.

I've never read anything bad, violence wise, about Ariel. most bars can get unstable at a moments notice. I lost count of the fights I had while working in a bar in the early 90's. I even witnessed a shooting with a loss of life right in front of me.

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One of the main problems at the Store/tavern is people interfering with traffic; its location right on a main street to, and a short distance from the turnoff to, the Merwin Dam. People sometimes spill out of the bar on to the street interfering with traffic and sometimes the bar people 'aint too friendly'.

The other obvious issue is the building itself. It does not meet code and in spite of what Blevins say it may not be easy to bring it up to building code.  Then there is the issue of its liquor license now suspended. One of the parties at the store is a chronic alcoholic now in recovery, some say. Who would a new liquor license be issued to? Then there is the mixed-use issue of running a socalled 'museum' (perhaps eligible for public funds) at the same location as a tavern. Then there is the issue of a Food License. In order to make and serve food the store must meet current sanitary and food service requirements in order to meet licensing requirements. Then there is the issue of an apartment license (living quarters for Woodruff) ................  and the list goes on. The store was grandfathered in during Dona's tenure. Now that Dona is gone all of that ended. Maybe Robert & Gayla Enterprises has a solution to all of these issues.  They have conquered every other obstacle - why not these!

It's a dog's life!    But some people think there is redemption in hardship.

Georger, you have done a good job of summarizing the many challenges facing Bryan and the Ariel restoration.  Just getting the building in better shape will go a long ways in the effort.  Just look at the place, take a look around, all 3 stories, and you realize just how formidable the challenges are.  The legacy, the tradition at Ariel, seem to be worth saving and preserving.  It's an integral part of the Cooper story.  It will leave a big hole in the story if it goes away, in my opinion.  That's why I have offered to help.  It won't be the old Ariel, it will be a new Ariel, a new look and format.  So be it.  Change is a part of life. 

[Shutter]

Change is a part of life.

These were some of the issue's brought up when this first came about. similar to a television show, will the show work with a new lead character? then it was the cost of bringing everything up to code. someone took those questions, and turned them into hate.

Does it really, absolutely have to be in that building? is it possible to sell the property, and go somewhere else and start over? is the property worth selling? we are discussing change, so it might be the answer to the whole problem by moving away from the money pit. I realize that would be extremely hard for Bryan, but the legacy is what he is trying to hold onto. the building is close to 90 years old. how is the electrical in the building, and the plumbing, the restrooms?

I love old buildings, I grew up in an old town that still has the original buildings to this day dating back the the late 1800's. this is right in town, so an even flow of customers keep the money flowing in. thousands of people are not going to flood Ariel....you must look at reality. Dona had no issues, nobody hitting here up for thousands of dollars to stay in business. 

[Bruce A. Smith]

It's not unusual for country folks to have firearms in Cooper country, or anywhere else in WA state.  I'm not sure what the concern is all about. 
Meyer

I'm not talking about quaint customs. I'm talking about the increase in the number of incidences of open carry encounters, generally perpetrated by aggressive looking folks, like bikers. Earlier this summer, I stopped at a red light in Puyallup on the way to Good Sam Hosp. for a therapy session, and next to us was a biker with a Glock-9 on his hip. I freaked out. I was very upset.

I consider open carry a veiled form of assault. People who chose to display lethal power in public when there is no obvious need are causing a provocation. They need to take responsibility for how their actions affect others, and the guys I see packin' heat don't seem to feel the need to do so. That in turn tells me that they may not have the emotional and internal restraints necessary to keep them from shooting me in the back if they feel they need to do so.

Remember, "Everyone hates you," as I am repeatedly told. I agree, I feel it and I see it. Lots of people don't like me, and some very strongly. Add into that the obvious jealousies from RMB and his years of campaigning to destroy my reputation and presence in Cooper World. So I do move in this world with an elevated degree of vigilance. Not to do so would be imprudent, in my view.

So, to blow off my concerns and say that bringing guns to a DB Cooper celebration is just a bunch of country boys being country boys is both naieve and offensive.

[Shutter]

So, you propose to get rid of bikers, or firearms? do you wish to see that horrible violent biker carrying a visible weapon, or would you prefer he conceals it illegally? he's going to do it either way since he's a bad biker, specially, since you have no background on the guy.

If Washington allows open arms, that's up to you guys to change the law. the biker is doing nothing wrong.

[Shutter]

Now, bringing firearms into a bar is a totally different story. NO, guns are not allowed in bars, nor should they be a part of the Cooper story. if they did have firearms on the property, they are headed in the wrong direction IMHO.

[Shutter]

Some of these guys are SCARY looking, and according to some, shouldn't be allowed in this building on the video?

[Robert99]

who, and why would they display firearms? I don't see where this would fit into what they are trying to accomplish?

Fact: during his time at DZ Blevins constantly talked about shooting and weapons, his shooting prowess, posted numerous pics of himself shooting, etc. Blevins is the one who brought firearms to the table - nobody else did and few responded but it was definitely a card Blevins played often at DZ. Why is anyone's guess, because almost no one responded to his weapons tripe, in a DB Cooper forum no less! In fact, Blevins brought in 'weapons' almost as often as 377 brought in 'radios'. I guess Blevins wanted the world to know he is a Master arms-man and shooter?

And that just scratches the surface!       Here's vigilante RMB at work. (one of his posts at DZ)

Note that Blevins also has a long barrel six-shooter at his waist.  And are those hand grenades just above the six-shooter?

When I was about 10 or 11 years old, my young friends and I spent a lot of time in the brush on the east side of the Cascades.  We were typically "armed" with hunting knives with six-inch blades.  We never had a problem with anything.

[Shutter]

I don't think Robert was doing anything wrong. he is out of the city limits, and shooting into a firm background, or hill. the fact of presenting this on Cooper forums is odd, but nothing to panic over. he tries what he can to gain attention.

[georger]

It's not unusual for country folks to have firearms in Cooper country, or anywhere else in WA state.  I'm not sure what the concern is all about. 
Meyer

I'm not talking about quaint customs. I'm talking about the increase in the number of incidences of open carry encounters, generally perpetrated by aggressive looking folks, like bikers. Earlier this summer, I stopped at a red light in Puyallup on the way to Good Sam Hosp. for a therapy session, and next to us was a biker with a Glock-9 on his hip. I freaked out. I was very upset.

I consider open carry a veiled form of assault. People who chose to display lethal power in public when there is no obvious need are causing a provocation. They need to take responsibility for how their actions affect others, and the guys I see packin' heat don't seem to feel the need to do so. That in turn tells me that they may not have the emotional and internal restraints necessary to keep them from shooting me in the back if they feel they need to do so.

Remember, "Everyone hates you," as I am repeatedly told. I agree, I feel it and I see it. Lots of people don't like me, and some very strongly. Add into that the obvious jealousies from RMB and his years of campaigning to destroy my reputation and presence in Cooper World. So I do move in this world with an elevated degree of vigilance. Not to do so would be imprudent, in my view.

So, to blow off my concerns and say that bringing guns to a DB Cooper celebration is just a bunch of country boys being country boys is both naieve and offensive.

Im not here to debate conceal & carry for self defense. What other purpose can carrying a gun in public have?

In examining another person's behavior however some key questions apply:

*Has the person ever been aggressive toward other people ?
*Made threats against others?
*Followed through in their threats against other people?
*Alleged a grievance, real or imagined, and threatened action against other people?
*Independently overtly stalked or harassed or intimidated others?
*Engaged in a long-term pattern of stalking, harassing, and intimidating others?
*Been judged by others as a threat with disciplinary actions taken?
*Ever been turned into law enforcement for threats and intimidation and overt acts against others?

Those are some of the key questions which apply in this matter.