Readers of the geocaching persuasion responded swiftly to reporter Matt Smith’s article about the Johnson County Cemetery Association’s desire for the gamers to stay out of local cemeteries.
Almost unanimously the geocachers insisted they were not harming the cemeteries and that their participation in the pastime had been of value to them through expose to the history of the area.
A couple of readers took us to task for not providing the geocacher side of the story. As was explained in the article and today’s follow up, in which their views were made known, we did attempt to contact the largest organization involved in organizing the pastime and did not receive a response.
We did include information from the organization’s Web site, most of which was repeated by protesting geocachers. Unfortunately, the only person the reporter knew who has been involved in the pastime is a staff member, and we don’t use staffers as sources on stories such as this one.
One geocacher accused our reporter of drive-by journalism, but in doing so, the protestor, and many of the other commentators seemed to have missed a salient point: Neither the JCCA nor the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office want the caches in the cemeteries they care for.
This should be enough reason to put the caches somewhere else. It doesn’t matter if geocachers are learning history, or if they thought the cemeteries were public property, or if they carry trash out whenever they visit, or if some other cemetery association has no problem with the game.
We suspect generational differences as well as changing societal values are at work here. Many people, especially those of a certain age, consider cemeteries to be holy ground, to be treated in the highest regard and with the greatest respect.
They see geocaching as a high-tech game that does not meet these criteria. To show them respect and honor their wishes costs geocachers nothing.
Some geocachers have made the wise decision to contact the JCCA and JCSO and have made some suggestions about how they can all co-exist. We hope they can work it out.
Many of the geocachers’ goals are good — learning, respect for the environment, making exploring the outdoors fun — but instead of jumping to defend themselves or attack a reporter, they should consider carefully who they’re offending and whether giving that offense is worthwhile.
This editorial is the opinion of the Cleburne Times-Review
Opinion
6/21 Editorial: Respect, cooperation needed in geocaching flap
- Opinion
-
-
Don Newbury: Hail on Earth can be a real beatdown sometimes
Jesus assures in St. Matthew that the gates of hell will never prevail against the church, but the Good Book is silent on protection from hail damage.
-
Don Newbury: Finding the attitude of the ‘can ’til can’t’ people
Most communities — all of ’em, except a few so small that their coming in/going out city limit signs are nailed to the same post — are blessed by folks whose productive engines continue to chug.
-
Deeds of a ‘Best Samaritan’ remembered at funeral
His smile said much and his words said even more, but good deeds during his “three score and 10” life trumped them both.
-
Don Newbury: Varsity unlettered? Reflecting on the old theater
By any measure, it is a relic, and if walls could talk, moans and groans would dominate. If “kin” were called in to witness last rites, there’d be few. Most single-screen movie houses — with names like “Queen, Plaza, Bijou, Tivoli and Palace” — are long since gone.
-
Don Newbury: How much is the $26 hot dog really worth?
Statisticians whose business it is to know such things insist there are three parking spaces for every automobile in America. Willingness to “die in a minute” is assured if their calculations are wrong.
-
Don Newbury: Hitch in Uncle Mort’s git-along
Uncle Mort, my beloved kin, urges family and friends to avoid “putting big pots in little ones” as his 100th birthday on July 4 approaches. He’d rather do it himself. (Keep in mind his notice several months ago to “save the date.”)
-
Don Newbury: Uncle Mort ‘unsaintly, unbountiful’ in Naw’lins
Feel free to plant your tongue in “cheekish” concrete, remembering this account comes straight from the lips of my Uncle Mort down in the thicket. My 99-year-old kin heard it from the general store owner who was happy to pass it along from the bread delivery man who heard it on the CB radio.
-
Don Newbury: ‘Yellow dog’ tales from old band trip days
It was a dream-like state with tales retold around 10,000 campfires, all of them — save one — meeting Smokey the Bear’s rigid standards. It was “come and go” for the afterglow as long-ago stories unrolled — many stretched — on recollections of biggest fish, deepest snow and ages of first bike rides, except for that one fire. Its flames licked skyward, lighting a thousand acres.
-
Don Newbury: What do you do for the least of these?
I have a strong notion that most Americans have deep-down desires to fulfill the Biblical admonition to voluntarily take care of the poor. It’s a conviction painted with a broad brush, with no attempt to define “poor,” which requires an even broader brush.
-
Don Newbury: Unflagging patriotism
Old Glory has survived much. But, despite destruction, derision and distrust by those who would make it less, it waves on as a blessed symbol of who we are, what we stand for, and what we pray always to be.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
