Yes, it's the classic Rodney King line.

But with regard to the unexpectedly heated battle over the Katahdin Lake parcel, it's a question worth asking.

Baxter acquisition supporters feel "bullied" by the hunting lobby.

Millinocket area locals feel demeaned and put-upon by "outside" interests.

So we're fighting a fight to save a beautiful chunk of the Maine woods. An unnecessary fight in my view. Against each other.

Both sides want the same outcome: the preservation of the 6,000 acre Katahdin Lake property.

With all due respect to the sports who enjoy motorized recreation like snowmobiling and ATVs, they're going to be left out of the deal. I can understand that part. Motorized recreation has its place, but I don't think it's here.

The sticking point comes down to this:

One side wants wilderness only. The other wants hunting to remain.

How close can you get?

We hikers enjoy the White Mountain National Forest, and hunting is allowed there. We enjoy the diverse lands of the Maine Public Reserve Land system, and hunting is allowed there. We enjoy ten of thousands of acres of private property where hunting is allowed.

Why is it that suddenly (or maybe not so suddenly) hikers and hunters can't co-exist?

Why the animosity?

I don't get it.

Where did we get off onto this unproductive track? A track that's leading nowhere. And one that may ultimately cost us a fine parcel of woods and waters.

We're all outdoorspeople and sportspeople (that sounds a bit odd but it's my rare shot at PC here). Aren't we a stronger force against the tide of development when we work together?

Toss that one around and let me know what you think.