An end to Bar Cars?

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat May 08, 2004 11:44 am

In my experience, the "Rangers", "DPW" et al only have names and official sanction because of the brilliant notion that people find it easier to be joiners rather than just getting shit done. YMMV, of course.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon May 10, 2004 10:26 am

theCryptofishist wrote:
Ranger Genius wrote:Why is it that I almost never hear "DPW" without it being followed immediately by a perjorative?
There's some good answers above. I also wonder if there might be some class tensions involved.

My bad, this was carelessly written. There are some "bad actors' (out and out hams?) in the DPW, but I didn't mean to imply that they were the only department members. Not by a long shot. For instance, there are at least 2 DPW members I intend to ask to my playa wedding, one is my prospective "maid of honor."

KellY · Post by **KellY** » Mon May 10, 2004 11:43 am

Coming in late to this conversation, I'd like to say that the DPW parade is one of my favorite events of the Event (my little icon was taken from a parade photo in the image gallery, in fact). The parade is a way for everyone who worked to put the city up to take their bow - the backstage crew coming out and screaming "Fuck the divas and the prettyboy rockstars, WE made this possible!"

The unrepentant hostility and mayhem are wonderful reminders of Ye Olde Dayef, and the danger is part of the fun - a holdout of pure amoral Dionysian excess. That being said, I do think that there is no excuse for driving drunk ever, and that most of the problems in the parade over the years have been caused by intoxicated drivers.

Incidents like running over bikes have been exclusively the fault of the owners, in the events I've witnessed personally. My favorite incident involved a guy who rode into the middle of the parade (VERY bad idea) and stoped to take pictures in between a truck and the vehichle it was towing (with a long chain, not right behind); everybody screamed at the guy to get out of the way because the car behind him couldn't stop, but he didn't pay attention until he was about to get run over. He dived out of the way in time, but his bike was crushed, deservedly so.

Also, there probably is a certain amount of class hostility between the DPW and everyone else. Many (certainly not all) could never afford to come to the event if they weren't working their butts off weeks in advance to build it.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon May 10, 2004 12:02 pm

I actually have to say that I have a persistent interest in the stuff that DPW gets to do. My fiancee is a Medic (now Emergency Services Department, onetime Ranger) which basically means that I've never pursued it. Also, I don't really have impressive skills to offer, or lots of time to go up there and help out, but watching you guys "Fly the Man" last year is one of my better memories. I'm not particularly interested in the hard-drinking aspects of the culture, but DPW is not the only place that crops up on-playa.

I asked about the class thing because it seems to me that DPWers are doing classic blue collar things. Whereas the Rangers are doing white collar/police type things. (Very roughly, of course, I have a feeling I could be stepping on some toes here.) And those are the two departments that have the most volenteers and it seems the most rivalry. I'm guessing that some of it is "posturing to create identities" but I wonder where else it comes from. Because I have interests in some of the DPW type things, I think I know a little of the defensiveness that might develop in reaction to the larger culture, and I wonder if that carries over onto the playa. (BTW--photog sounds pretty darn dumb to me.)

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Mon May 10, 2004 12:38 pm

BRC couldn't happen without DPW

BRC, as you know it, could not happen w/o DPW is far more accurate. I suggest people read last years piss clear article about the DPW for further explanation.

Remember, the event existed long before DPW did.

I am glad for what they do. I am not glad for them screaming at me via megaphones to 'go home you fucking tourist' when I am on a 12 foot freestanding ladder in high winds on the friday before the event opens putting my shit together not only so that it is ready by Monday, but so that we might also give the other hard workers a little party that night.

DVD Burner · Post by **DVD Burner** » Mon May 10, 2004 12:44 pm

very cool stuart.

stuart always gets it.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Mon May 10, 2004 2:40 pm

"Unemployable Drugheads
Reluctantly Build City In Desert" ?

That was the Spock Science Monitor.

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Mon May 10, 2004 11:43 pm

Badger wrote:Quote:
I like to dream.
Yeah, but I don't see your name on any of the numerous volunteer lists where you could contribute.

"Well then you built this City"

Well OK I didn't buld the fucking city, But I have taken down and cleaned out the crap left for 3 out of the 4 years I've attended!

A II Z

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Tue May 11, 2004 7:53 am

I don't know about animosity between the DPW and the rangers... can't really say that I've noticed it on an organizational level, and there is some degree of cross-pollination. A few individuals, though, seem to have their beefs, as always.

screaming at me via megaphones to 'go home you fucking tourist'

This, I think, is the kind of behavior that has earned the DPW a reputation as "A bunch of Assholes," though every member of the DPW that I have met personally has been exactly what I think burners should be: accepting, helpful, and without that 'sense of entitlement' that I have witnessed in some of the other ones.

I realize that the conception of Rangers as being police-like, or even somewhat para-military is common among some people, but I don't really like to think of it that way. I consider one of my most important duties to be insulating participants from the ACTUAL police-types ("Black Rock Rangers: Making reasonable excuses for your behavior since 1991"). There are, admittedly, a few rangers (maybe more than a few) who think of themselves as authority figures (insert Cartman reference here), or who try to protect people from themselves. These Rangers are often referred to as Khaki Hall Monitors. If you ever encounter one, go to Gigsville and get your "Fuck Off Ranger" card, and play it. Captain Sodium gave me one last year. I also got a "Fuck off Gigsville" Card ("What the Fuck is a Gigsville? What the fuck does a gig have to do with Gigsville? Fuck off already! This card is with a jillion gazillion points when played. Gigsville loses and must fuck off immediately.")

Someone gave me a button that says "Question My Authority," and I wear it on my hat with pride. As I've heard it expressed: Our job isn't to keep you from dashing into the flames. Our job is to pull you back out after you've had a moment to reconsider that decision.

I love the line in that SSM article: "We built this city for you, and you should have to kiss our asses for it." I'm through rambling. Do you think sleep deprivation has a noticeable effect on the quality of my posts?

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Tue May 11, 2004 10:39 am

this is the article I was referring to

http://www.blue-period.com/pissclear/Re ... rant1.html

oddly enough, later in the evening of the bullhorn incident in question when we were htrowing said shindig, I was hanging out with some DPW folks and they seemed quite nifty. They were drinking my bear though. Perhaps that is the secret.

RG, I think I met you briefly during early morning rounds last year.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Tue May 11, 2004 10:44 am

I think you're right.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Tue May 11, 2004 10:53 am

I don't know about animosity between the DPW and the rangers... can't really say that I've noticed it on an organizational level, and there is some degree of cross-pollination. A few individuals, though, seem to have their beefs, as always.

My experience over the past several years has been that there is a residual animosity towards the Rangers by some DPW folks. Things is that the majority of it seems to come from the newer DPW denizens - usually first year types - who seem to get a little too caught up in the culture of the organization. It's almost as if they feel obligated to maintain the attitude without so much as ever having to engage a Ranger.

Reminds me very much of the the fraternity pledge who is told that in order to be a good Pi Delta Whatever that they have to hate the Gamma Pi nubs. Why? Well, because that's how it's always been.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Tue May 11, 2004 11:41 am

I guess it would be more accurate to say that I've never noticed any animosity in the Rangers towards the DPW in general, since I've never mingled with DPW within their element. There is, of course, a distaste for that sense of entitlement you see in certain members of the DPW, but that's present in people in any such situation...people pathetically desperate to be 'L337,' since they're completely unremarkable and mediocre in every way, without some sort of 'in' status to set them apart from the 'fucking tourists.'

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue May 11, 2004 12:43 pm

Having been "DPW" prior to it having been named for prestige purposes and given budgetary line items, I think I have few illusions about who's who out there.

cowboyangel · Post by **cowboyangel** » Thu May 20, 2004 9:30 pm

Dear Erika Schumaker, I hearby invite you out on a date of great fun and complexity the object of which is to enlighten you with the deeper mysticism of Burning Man....you must give up your religious beliefs (at least for a couple of days), your preconcieved notions of everything...except for the phrase..."unless you become like little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of Heaven" and meet me at BM2004

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:47 pm

FYI... Jafe

NEVADA STATE OFFICE NO. 2004-56
FOR RELEASE: July 8, 2004
BLM NEVADA EXTENDS COMMENT PERIOD FOR SUPPLEMENTAL RULES

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada State Director Bob Abbey announced today his decision to extend for 90 days the public comment period for the BLM Supplemental Rules on drug and alcohol violations on public lands.

"The extension of the public comment period will allow more thorough discussions to occur with county law enforcement and elected officials on how we can better work together to enforce state laws on public lands," said Abbey.

Abbey said that the intent of the proposed rules is to maximize the available public safety resources at all levels of government, local, state and federal, by providing BLM the necessary tools to enforce drug and alcohol violations on public lands consistent with how those rules are enforced throughout the state.

"Population increases in Nevada and adjacent states have resulted in greater numbers of people enjoying the recreation opportunities on the public lands," said Abbey. "The increase in recreational use, unfortunately, has brought increasing problems with drug and alcohol abuse."

Similar rules are in effect in other western states. Colorado and the BLM California Desert District, which covers the public lands in southern California, have rules similar to those being proposed for public lands in Nevada. In Utah, BLM has rules for minors in possession and open containers, and BLM in Arizona has a statewide open container supplemental rule in effect.

In some counties in California and Oregon, BLM officers have state peace officer authority and these crimes are handled by BLM officers using state courts. The proposed BLM Nevada rules are similar to those already in effect for the National Park Service at Lake Mead and for the Forest Service.

"We want people of all ages to enjoy their public lands, and have a safe experience while there," said Abbey.

The new ending date for submitting comments is dependant on the publication date of the extension in the Federal Register, which is expected to occur in a few days. No decision on the rules is expected before late fall. Comments on the rules may be sent to Erika Schumacher, BLM Nevada State Office, P.O. Box 12000, Reno, NV 89520-0006.

-BLM-

An end to Bar Cars?

An Apology

A Confession