This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Pat Bagley's cartoon on off-road vehicles was offensive (Tribune, Oct. 3). I am president of Wasatch Crusiers, one of Utah's larger four-wheel-drive clubs, and most of the off-road clubs I know of spend many hours of community service removing trash, repairing trails and building fences. This last month, to celebrated National Public Lands Day, the off-road community contributed more than 1,000 hours improving trails and canyons. On every trail run, Wasatch Crusiers stresses tread-lightly behavior and tries to leave the trails better than when we arrived. A family-oriented club, we teach our children to appreciate and respect their environment.
Bagley stereotypes off-roaders as beer-drinking, irresponsible rednecks who drive over-sized rigs over road-closed signs. Our club is comprised of doctors, engineers, businessmen and teachers - honest, hard-working family men who never dream of behaving like the people portrayed by Bagley. All our efforts to correct these stereotypes are quickly defeated by one totally ignorant portrayal.
We don't tolerate negative stereotyping of people for their race, gender or religion; I don't see why we need to endure this type of cartoon.
Troy DeMill
Salt Lake City
