So you think running and hiding is going to protect metal detecting?What other problems has running and and hiding solved.To late to do that anyway,its already in their minds so theres no point to it.
James, good post, and valid questions. The "mental image" that runs through your mind when you read what Fletch wrote conjurs up "sneak around" and "break laws", right ? Or put another way: "
Why go at more discreet inconspicuous times, if we're not doing anything wrong?". Have I got the gist of what you're thinking ? My thoughts:
a) It depends on what you mean by: "already in their minds" . If we construe an individual isolated "scram" (from someone who perhaps was just in a bad mood, or a cop who was only responding to a busy-body call), then I do not construe many such episodes as necessarily constituting "new law" or "new rule" that needs to be fought or clarified. On the contrary: quite often these are just isolated incidents that never amount to anything.
I can give you example after example of that, where someone heard a griper (even someone in authority). So md'rs "shook in their boots" when word circulated amongst md'rs in that locale. But then 2, 5, and 10 yrs. later, you never heard of it ever again. Oh sure, the original person had to "give lip service" and sure, he wasn't defiant, etc... But beyond that, it turned out to be flukes. Assuming you or subsequent persons don't similarly stick out like a sore thumb again.
b) You ask if "running and hiding" is going to protect metal detecting. Well, YES! You gotta realize James, md'ing (in turf anyhow) has admitted connotations. You are NOT going to get "every last person" on earth to "sign off on it + love & hug you. Yes we ALL wish that red carpets were rolled out for us.
Believe me: I too wish I could waltz right over beach blankets at archie conventions, walk through ball games in progress, etc.... But it aint gonna happen. Why swat hornet's nests? Rather than trying to get "all the hornets to love you", why can't it be the "right thing to do" is to avoid certain individuals that might not like it? Yes I wish it wasn't like this. BUT IT IS.
If someone is very skittish about the fact that not every one will like it (and that they might have to pick opportune times), then their best bet is to pick another form of detecting rather than turf. Eg.: stick to beach, forest, demolition sites, etc....
A way to think of it is this: Like nose picking: NOT illegal, right ? But sheesk , don't even you use a little uh .... "inconspicuous timing" so as not to offend those who might not like it ? Rather than calling that "sneaking around" ? Same thing for detecting. It's not appealing to every last person. As much as I'd like to "convert" them, I'm resigned to reality.