Greenpeace denied entry into NM balloon fiesta

Oh no... Greenpeace didn't get its app in on time, but because they're so special they should still be allowed to fly.

Why is it every time a liberal group like this gets turned down for something the first thing they do is go to the press and the ACLU claiming their rights have been violated?

I hope the organizers stick to their guns and refuse to let them fly. Grow the hell up, Greenpeace. Follow the rules and you fly, otherwise you don't. Quit expecting to be treated special just because you figure your cause is important.

There are TONS of groups who feel their message is important and I bet all of them, should they feel participation in an event is a must, would bother to follow the freakin' rules to enter.

Of course our governor will step in as will every other liberal left wing crybaby in the area and insist Greenpeace be admitted so we might as well make way right now.

How about we boot another rule-abiding flyer and let Greenpeace take their place? That'd be more fair, right, Greenpeace?

Feh.

Rules are rules and everuone has to fowllow them. The media will have a field day with this.

Had they been allowed and it became common knowledge amoung the pilots and crews of the Quad A there would be much fewer participants. Already there is much discussion there with pilots and crew chiefs on pulling registrations because of fuel costs both burner and vehicle.

The Fiesta for years has provided the propane for the balloonists. I am sure the fuel prices have figured into the Fiesta's considerations on the number of balloons to allow on the field: more balloons = more expense to the Fiesta.

i think i can see booth sides of this issue. i also believe that everything happens for a reason. perhaps greenpeace can take this as a blessing in disguise. if the media has a field day with this issue, in the long run more people will be exposed to the global warming message they are trying to spread with the balloon. so even though they were late on the application deadline, there message gets heard by the masses. not quite as much of a "spectacle" but hey. everyhthing happens for a reason.

in this comments section someone mentioned the high fuel costs for burners and vehicles, thats a whole story all by itself. i would have never known about that angle on the "oil & gas issue" (in regards to ballooning) if greenpeace had submitted there aplication on time (because this blog/comments would not exist). so in conclusion, thanks to greenpeace i learned something new today- the oil and gas crisis is hitting our states balloon fiesta economy hard.

oh, and the registration deadline is in MAY not june...

:)

Greenpeace was denied because of who they are when in fact the Fiesta has let in cigarette, alcohol and religious balloons. Global warming is a known threat to our way of life and this would be a great way to
get that message across since it is the most photographed event in the
world.

Greenpeace has worked hard for years to protect our environment. There's nothing wrong with a balloon that says "save the climate." Just let Greenpeace in and end this silly controversy.

Greenpeace has proven to have radical elements in the organization and has done some radical things in the past. I wouldn't let them fly either, their reputation has caught up with them. Oh, and *#&! the ACLU.

I'm extremely disappointed that the ABQ Balloon Committee would deny Greenpeace's entry because of their message. I could understand if it was a politically charged and biased statement, but saving the planet from climate change is not only a bipartisan effort but a global one. I praise Greenpeace for what they do, and hope to see a much stronger presence in New Mexico in the future.

Save the the airspace!

We missed a well-publicized deadline that hundreds of other rule-following balloonists seemed to satisfy.
Wah! It MUST be nefarious! Wah! It's the man! Wah! It's a conspiracy! Wah! Repression is inherent in the system! Wah! We're being repressed! Wah! See? We're being repressed!!! Call the ACLU!!!!!!!
So much self-inflicted harm to a generally decent group with a somewhat cogent message. Rationality is so valuable when you desire change.

Balloons are dangerous.

Please help me understand. The article says, Greenpeace was denied because they couldn't be bothered to apply before the deadline like everybody else. They, and the tree huggers posting here immediately cry foul, rights denied, conspiricy, Bush's fault!
Why is it that these people have such a hard time with things like FACTS. Or is it they just don't apply when your GREEN ?
Just trying to understand.

biodegradable balloons don't work so well...