I can't recall any threads like that, but I'll take your word for it. I will say that I engaged a hysterical woman from the Gettysburg area in a debate about the Battlefield restoration there. She was a borderline "greenie" that was AGAINST the restoration of the Battlefield because it involved logging certain tracts to restore the tree line to its "1863 look". I'm generally in favor of the Park Service's efforts in this regard, though I must say that I miss the observation tower.
I don't. The only purpose that thing served was that it was an excellent reference point when orienting the map.
"See that line of trees just below the ugly grey tower?"
Oh my word, EVERY thread about development and sprawl end up the same way. I say I am opposed to strip-malls being built on historic areas and I'm torn to pieces, with the pro-development wolves here falling on me as on a sick deer.
The greenie in Gettysburg was an ignorant fool, as most of them are. We do need to take down some trees to restore the battlefield to its original condition. Pennsylvania will still have plenty of trees. But if we're going for real authenticity there we need to take down the Wax Museum, the McDonald's, and the KFC--and that's not going to happen. This is my point exactly: once those things go in, they're there for good; you can't get the historic site back.