Letter from Thomas, to the Editor,
The Washington Post
Saturday, January 29, 1994

Rainbows in the Forest

The headline, "U.S. Exerts Control Over the Rainbows," on Guy Gugliotta's story in the Federal Page Dec. 28, is accurate - even though Lyle Laverty, Forest Service recreation director, denies it in the article.

Ever since this country began, every person has had the right to peaceably assemble in the National Forests. A right (like assembly) is distinguished from a privilege(like driving) by the fact that one doesn't need a permit to exercise a right.

According to Mr. Gugliotta, "'hippies,' as we used to call them," are the only people who would be affected by the Forest Service's plan to require permits for assemblies of more than 25 people.

In fact, this regulation would extinguish the rights of evry individual within the legal jurisdiction of the United States. This rule would give the Forest Service the "legal authority" to say, "Aha! Twenty six of you. Disperse, ye rebels! " It would also give the Forest Service authority to back up its order with the force of the National Guard.

The article quoted me when I spoke of the Rainbow Family, a diverse group of people who meet in the forest for one week every year. I said: "The Rainbow Family doesn't believe in leaders," and "The Family's purpose is to come together and pray for peace on Earth." But smack between these two quotes, Mr. Gugliotta adroitly substitutes his own idea - The Family "has trouble designating anybody to take resposiblity for anything" - in place of what I actually said: "The philosophy of the Family is to encourage individual responsibility. No one can take responsibility for someone else's actions." This responsibility is demonstrated by, in Mr. Gugliotta's words, the Family's "strong reputation for cleaning up after itself."

Finally, Mr. Gugliotta is incorrect: Using the Everglades without a permit for practicing invasions of Cuba would only be prohibited under the proposed rule if the private group practicing the invasion is not financed by the U.S. government.

WILLIAM THOMAS