I`m going to do something illegal this weekend, and I`m going to do it with gusto!  I`m going to walk into the forest with my family and chop down a small Christmas tree and bring it home.  And all with out a permit (gasp)!

I fully believe in my right to do this.  First of all, I believe that all plants are put on this earth for my use.  I believe I have every right to take a tree from crown land once a year, and would be willing to defend my choice in a court of law should anyone have a problem with it.  I also believe in my right to celebrate the ancient pagan tradition of decorating a tree for the solstice, which makes this a religious right as well. 

As far as paying the government for a permit, I don`t believe I should have to.  The government refused to send me my child tax money until I jump through their hoops, and delayed me getting this money before Christmas when everybody else`s money came in on the 13th.  There really was no reason for the delay, and all it accomplished was to add more stress to a family that is already struggling financially.  These are the kind of decisions our government makes.

The government may not trust its citizens, but I trust my ability to use the earth`s resources wisely, without having the government police my use of plants (trees or any other type of plants).  A corporation or oil company is somehow allowed to rip up hundreds of acres of boreal forest and desecrate the land, but the citizens are not allowed to go out into nature and pick a tree for their holiday celebrations?  I can`t agree with this.

So, as an act of civil disobedience, I`m going to pick a Christmas tree from the forest.  And I`m going to have a good time doing it.  I`m going to teach my children how to pick a Christmas tree.  I`ll probably even post pictures.