This is no new trend but similar to the history of California State Parks during the Reagan era and subsequently.  I come to a very different conclusion about who benefits from this than David Parkhill.
It has nothing to do with political correctness, but our subsidy of the greed of predatory capitalists in the name of trickle down economics.  What are the archeological implications?  It is a different kind of global colonialism than we have ever seen, so the archeological evidence should also be different from what we have seen in previous nationalistically subsidized colonialism. The rich get richer and the middle class is even deprived of the opportunity to "read Shakepeare" or visit a State Park.- Mark

Mark Henderson
Chupadero Archeological Resources, LLC
Henderson, Nevada

-- David Parkhill <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Isn't it interesting to note the trend in modern 
circles to destroy or discourage the preservation 
of all the historical ties to America and its 
basic foundations upon which this great country was formed.
BUT
It sure is rushing forward to promote social 
welfare of the masses, political correctness and 
the balancing of society at everyone's individual expense.


At 07:38 PM 9/19/2008, you wrote:
>The State of Illinois recently made a decision to cut the Illinois
>Department of Natural Resources funding.  This cut will be forcing 11 state
>parks and 13 state historical properties to close to the public.
>
>The following is a list of state park closing November 1:
>
>·        Castle Rock State Park, Oregon
>
>    - Lowden State Park, Oregon
>    - Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, Sheffield
>    - Illini State Park, Marseilles
>    - Channahon Parkway State Park, Channahon
>    - Gebhard Woods State Park, Morris
>    - Hidden Springs State Forrest, Strasburg
>    - Kickapoo State Park, Oakwood
>    - Moraine View State Park, Leroy
>    - Weldon Springs State Park, Clinton
>    - Wolf Creek State Park, Windsor
>
>The following is a list of Historic Sites to be closed:
>
>·        Apple River Fort, Elizabeth
>
>·        Bishop Hill, Henry County
>
>·        Bryant Cottage, Bement
>
>·        Fort Kaskaskia, Randolph County
>
>·        Hauberg Indian Museum, Rock Island
>
>·        Jubilee College, Peoria County
>
>·        Lincoln Log Cabin, Charleston
>
>·        Old Cahokia Courthouse, Cahokia
>
>·        Carl Sandburg State Historic Site, Galesburg
>
>·        Vandalia Statehouse, Vandalia
>
>  The following is a list of Historic Sites which are also National Historic
>Landmarks, all to be closed:
>
>    - Dana-Thomas House, Springfield
>    - David Davis Mansion, Bloomington
>    - Fort de Chartres, Randolph County
>    - Pierre Menard Home, Randolph County
>
>The Illinois DNR was refused $14 million in funding that would allow these
>properties to remain open.  This has sparked a huge debate throughout the
>state of Illinois.  Over the course of the last week, many communities have
>been staging meetings to decide what the effects of the park closings would
>do to their regions.
>
>The closing of these state parks and historic sites will mean a tremendous
>loss of people who travel to these destinations each year.  Economically,
>this means a significant loss of revenue to the surrounding area of these
>locations.  If these parks remain closed, these areas will be hit extremely
>hard and lose one of their big draws to tourists.  The total effect on the
>state could amount to significantly more than $1 billion in total.
>
>I just don't understand how a state could push through a measure to cut DNR
>funding of $14 million, resulting in a state economic loss of $1 billion,
>when that state is already deeply in debt.  You don't have to be a genius to
>see that this cut makes absolutely no sense.
>
>The Illinois' House of Representatives held an emergency meeting resulting
>in the restoration of DNR funding.  This sounds like good news, but the
>Illinois House is only half the battle.  The Senate must also pass this
>resolution.  Unfortunately, the Illinois Senate is currently "out to lunch"
>and not due back in session until after the park closure deadline of
>November 1st.  Unless an emergency session is called in to play, it still
>looks very likely that these parks will close on their given date of
>November 1st.
>
>Many feel that the current governor of Illinois is to blame for the budget
>problems.  They credit useless spending of taxpayer dollars on
>transportation, a governor who is 'out of touch' with his people, and one
>who might not have the whole state's best interest at heart.  For those that
>feel this way, there is little more that could be done than to vote him out
>of office in the next election.
>
>So what can you do NOW?
>
>    1. *Write your Governor, Congressmen, and state lawmakers* and tell them
>    of your disapproval of these measures.  In 
> order to be heard, be respectful,
>    but get your point across.  You can find their contact information at
>    www.illinois.gov, under the directory heading.
>    2. *Write your local, regional, and state newspapers* a "Letter To The
>    Editor" explaining your stance and why these 
> parks and historical landmarks
>    should not be closed.
>    3. *Spread the word *about what your state is doing.  Make people aware
>    of the issue, then tell them how to get involved.
>    4. *Sign the petitions*.  Petitions are a wonderful thing.  They let you
>    join other people with the same interest and allow you to fight the battle
>    with a larger group.  You can find a couple of the ones going around:
>    www.gopetition.com/online/21603.html.  You can also search for more
>    Illinois State Park Closing Petitions, and 
> sign them.  Get involved and sign
>    them all!!
>    5. *Know that there is still time to get the word out*, educate people on
>    the issue, and that things can change.  If a mass movement takes shape,
>    there is a greater likelihood that these 
> parks will stay open and that your
>    voices will be heard.
>    6. *Register to Vote, Then Vote!! *Not enough can be said about
>    participating in this easy process.  The lawmakers and decision makers are
>    chosen by the people.  You have the voice to put in office the people that
>    you think will best represent your ideas and 
> values.  By not doing anything,
>    you are showing that you may have a voice, but don't care enough in making
>    the final decision.  Get out there and vote come election time.
>
>I am sure you have visited at least one of these parks or historic sites,
>and probably have a special memory of each visit.  Make your voices heard
>and join in the fight…this is about your rights and the politicians we have
>put in place to defend those rights.  Don't let them away our historic sites
>and state parks, all of which are crucial to maintain our cultural identity.

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