Yeah, But What About Those Campers Who Brought The Dos Equis?

Paranoia in the woods is understandable these days, but the growers generally try NOT to call attention to themselves, and certainly not by playing music of any sort. It's the mystery folks in the woods whom one must look out for.

I like the quote "Federal employees don't often have the opportunity to be engaged in activities outside the home":

DENVER — The U.S. Forest Service has apologized for suggesting that campers who eat tortillas, drink Tecate beer and play Spanish music may be armed marijuana growers, calling it "regrettable" and "insensitive."

...The Forest Service issued a warning about armed drug growers last month amid an investigation into how much marijuana is being cultivated in national forests in Colorado. Officials retracted it two days later amid heavy criticism.

..."We sincerely apologize to the Hispanic community and anyone else we may have offended. That was not our intent. Our goal was to inform the public of these activities and create safety awareness among the hunters and hikers who travel to our remote backcountry areas and who may come upon these illegal operations," he said in a statement.

Polly Baca, co-chair of the Colorado Latino Forum, said meeting was productive and a good start on mending relations after the Forest Service has promised to conduct sensitivity training for its agents.

"It was obvious the staff did not have the cultural awareness they need. Federal employees don't often have the opportunity to be engaged in activities outside the home," she said.

...The warnings were issued following the recent discovery of more than 14,000 plants in Pike National Forest. Forest Service officials said they believe illegal immigrants are being brought to Colorado by Latin American drug cartels for mass cultivation of marijuana.