The Real Folly of the 'Sconset Beach Preservation Fund Project.

You know, I'm pretty much against folly. As a rule. But, even after spending a whole lot of time reading about this project, I'm not fully convinced that it actually meets the definition of the word.

There are, obviously, a number of very big unanswered questions. Questions that have far-reaching ramifications. But I think a lot of the knee-jerk, "I'm against it," people are discounting one salient point:

It may work.

It may save the beach and the homes on the bluff. It may make it possible for the town to rebuild the 'Sconset footpath. It may not harm fishing. It may not cost the taxpayers a pile of money.

I'm not saying it will, I'm saying that it may. And I have to say, calling it folly, is rather premature.

Another thing the "I'm against it" crowd is missing is the fact that if you push someone, especially people with money, they push back. Money talks. So do votes. So do favors. So does political clout.

If the "I'm against it" people think that holding a few meetings and signing a petition or even having a ceremonial and rather non-binding vote at town meting is going to keep a bunch of billionaires who are used to having things their own way from having things their own way, they are just plain delusional.

These people have lawyers and pockets so deep they can reach into them and practically burn their hands on the Earth's molten core.

It might be smarter to actually talk to these people and find a way that everyone can win. It might be better to collaboratively problem solve. It might be better to be flexible in the face of possible inflexibility. Before one side pushes the other to the point of doing real harm to the island.

Think you can win against people with billions of dollars? Talk about folly.

Nantucket First.