I've gotten several e-mail messages from people criticizing my decision to put information about Moon House up on the Internet. They suggest doing so is irresponsible, since it will lead to vandalism and looting of the site.

Here is my response:

  1. The site is public property and should be available for the public to look at. Public information should not be restricted by the government.

  2. Determined looters will find places to loot, with or without the Internet.

  3. My page will only be found by someone who already knows the name "Moon House", not by random surfers.

  4. Archaeologists will tell you privately that sites like Moon House are no longer likely to provide useful info, because the access cannot be controlled.

  5. Based on my experience there, there's little to fear from people who travel hundreds of miles to see the ruin. The real danger is from the ignorant locals, who persist in driving on closed BLM roads to "defy" the government, and who discard their cigarette butts and other trash on the ruin. Think I'm exaggerating? Here is an actual e-mail message I recently received. Of particular interest are the charming misspellings, the spittle-laced invective, and the contradictory rhetoric --- he thinks he "takes care" of the land, but at the same time is happy to leave "tracks" by illegally driving in wilderness study areas.

    I read, will [sic] a little interest, your account of Moon House Ruin. I was, indeed, offended by your uninformed portrayal of US, "ignorant locals".....Let me tell you a few things about us. My ancestors settled this area in the late 1800's. I have a great amount of respect for the local environment and beauty of this land. I do drive on those so called "closed" roads. I explore and record my explorations with my camera, my mind and my words. The locals destroy very little. We have managed to take care of this area for over 100 years...thank you very much. We DON'T need some asshole from wherever you are from to come in here to tell us what we can and can't do. I firmly uphold San Juan County's right to control and maintain all of the roads in our beautiful county. I think the best way to preserve what we have is to keep visitors such as yourself out of the county. I spend a great deal of time cleaning up after people exactly like you. Stay home...I will send you pictures of all of the places I know about. Your efftorts [sic] to find Moon House are laughable at best. Do you want to know about LOTS of other ruins that you will never be able to find? I have framed pictures I would be happy to sell to you. Stay the hell home and enjoy the city. Leave the wilderness to US Ignorant Locals. Meanwhile.....I'll continue to drive the roads and explore my homeland....look for my tracks.

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