Cherokee Sage Woman

Corporate Invasion
The American Prospect) This column was written by Denise Kersten.
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As corporate jingles, slogans, and logos creep into every corner of our lives, the national parks have become some of the last commercial-free oases. It’s nearly as hard to spot a corporate logo in a national park as it is to sight a rare bird. But this could soon change, as Republicans are seeking private-sector alternatives to fund the parks.

In late September, legislative language drafted by Representative Richard Pombo, chairman of the House Resources Committee, was leaked to the public. The language proposed closing the federal deficit by selling 15 sites to commercial developers and energy companies, slathering the parks in advertising, and peddling naming rights for visitor centers, trails, and other park features.