East Coast ski areas see decline in skier visits (NSR - political)

[shmerham]

East Coast ski areas see decline in skier visits


By Erica Jong

THE WASHINGTON TIMES


A 10-15% decline in skier visits has been estimated for the 2003-2004 season at eastern ski resorts. The decline, experts say, can be attributed to a lack of natural snow and cold January weather. As soon as these numbers hit the press, theories were made that the Bush administration is to blame. Bush supporters cry follow, citing natural occurences that Bush has no control over. The White House was quick to discredit this theory; "President Bush, a native of Texas does enjoy the warm weather, but I assure you he has no part in the lack of snow." William Douglas, a republican from Arlington doesn't believe the hype either, "It just doesn't make sense to me, why Bush would invoke a cold January."

Opponents of Bush aren't backing down so easy though. "Bush is so arrogant, he'd do this just because Kerry is a skier" says Amy Watson, a democrat and Kerry supporter. Kerry, is a native of Massachussetts, home to Wachussetts Mountain, a 7 acre resort, which typically sees 25 million skier visits in January and February. This year they only saw 17 million. "Usually our lift lines are 45 minutes long, but this year they were typically a half hour or less" says John Wilmington, owner of Wachussetts. Other opponents claim that arguments against the theory are made by people staunch supporters of Bush who would "probably defend anything this guy did." A recent poll suggests that 47% of Americans feel that Bush is responsible for the drop in skier visits. 9% of those polled, who originally planned to vote for Bush, say they will not vote for Bush any more because they think Bush is responsible for the weather and drop in skier visits.

Presidential candidate, Sen. Kerry (D - MA), was unable to be reached for comment. Sources say he promises to bring back the snow and work with Mother Nature rather than against her. Opponents of Kerry question how he plans to accomplish this.

[DaveTV]

note the author:...JONG.........
Earth to MS. Jong - it was 90 below fucking zero in January. who's going skiing in weather where you are afraid to let the dog out to pee??

[The AD]

In other news, Ralph Nader has been quoted as saying "skiing is unsafe at any speed."

[DaveTV]

I just realized I've been had..
Post first - then hit off crack pipe..