The two comments reproduced here were letters-to-the-editor printed in the Reno Gazette-Journal. At this writing, both are online at http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=OPED02.

Burning Man event is classless, unworthy
Posted: 9/15/2006
Is it conceivable that the city of Reno/state of Nevada is so inebriated under the influence of tourist dollars that they (both) bow to such ridiculous, inane, and low-class events as the stupid Burning Man each year? Is there no other news of import for the RGJ's front page than photographs of unicyclysts flitting about before pyramids in the desert, as was evidenced on the Aug. 31 page one? As far as I can tell from having observed the annual conduct of this event over recent years, all it provides are costs to the community and nothing in the way of any useful contribution to the culture.It is nothing short of classless in my opinion and unworthy of any locality with any self-respect. - Jeffrey A. Quinn, Reno

Burning Man fest should be banned
Posted: 9/13/2006
Well, sometimes money buys morality. Burning Man organization, BLM, media, Washoe and Pershing counties are all in cahoots. Burning Man is presented as an art festival. Reality is, in addition to funny art, there is nudity, open and free sex, lewd acts, and free distribution of drugs and alcohol regardless of age. Some families bring their kids and they are committing flagrant child abuse. The most liberal town such as San Francisco banned Burning Man. There have been a few deaths in the past years attributed to natural causes. I doubt it. The Burning Man organization controls very strictly the angle of any journalist and won't allow them to write about open sex, drug use or any comparison to cult, Mardi Gras or Woodstock. I urge BLM, Washoe and Pershing county residents to ban such an immoral celebration. The slight boost to local economy should never be the reason to allow this festival in disguise. - Wanda Harvin, Reno

I was at Burning Man 2006, working as a volunteer for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). I helped distribute information and answer questions about the place where Burning Man is held, the BLM-administered Black Rock Desert High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area (NCA for short). It was a fun job and I really enjoyed helping people learn about why this is such a cool place and why it should be an NCA. Perhaps I have a little more knowledge than most into how the thing works, so here are some of my insights.

First, I think the whole thing is incredibly well run considering all the moving parts involved. Burning Man happens where it does because the organization has a permit from the BLM to hold the festival on this particular piece of public land. There are strict standards in the permit pertaining to what goes on and when, where the event is held, and clean-up afterward. Burning Man meets or exceeds every provision in the permit to the point of being issued a multi-year permit because of exceptional compliance. BLM does not operate in a vacuum; local agencies directly involved (Pershing and Washoe County sheriff's departments, Nevada Highway Patrol, Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation police, etc.) also work with the Burning Man organization to facilitate the festival. Burning Man pays for this, to the tune of around $750,000. Mr. Quinn is entitled to his opinion that Burning Man is stupid and has no cultural value, but he is wrong in saying it costs the community. He is also wrong in saying that Reno and the State of Nevada bow to the tourist dollars generated by the event; neither entity is directly involved with whether or not Burning Man happens on Black Rock playa, which happens to be federally administered public land.

Wanda Harvin has obviously never attended Burning Man or is intentionally distorting the facts to suit whatever agenda she is pushing. Everything illegal in the real world is illegal in Black Rock City, and there are plenty of real cops to enforce the real laws. People can and do get arrested. This year, in addition to numerous citations for minor violations, there were arrests for selling drugs and for domestic violence. The big difference is that in a real world city of 39,000, it's much worse.

Harvin should indulge her fantasies and come on out to see the open and free sex, lewd acts, and free distribution of drugs and alcohol, if she can find any. I'm afraid the experience will burst her bubble. Alas, there are naked people to be seen wandering about, blatantly flaunting the disgusting behavior of, well, not being completely clothed. Black Rock City is a parallel society where traditional clothing is optional, and the real world cops don't even bother with it. She is traveling deeper into fantasy land with her rant about Burning Man control of the media. If that were so, her letter never would have seen print in the Reno Gazette-Journal, and I couldn't publish my commentary.

When not on duty, I was just another resident of Black Rock City. It is mentally refreshing to be in a place where people help each other, no questions asked, and nothing is commercialized or for sale (as opposed to the real world, where everyone is suspicious and afraid, and everything is commercialized and for sale). Some people give Burning Man a spiritual aura, and I believe that is part of it. For many, though, it is a week to hang loose, party on the playa, and generally have a good time among people who are doing the same thing.