WOAH!!!!!!!! (Whistle on the play!!)
Mr. Westriver...
you're new to these parts and (if you'd do a search), you'd find that this is a subject that has been on this forum MANY times in the past.
Sorry, Patrick but I am far from new here, having been on with a now "lost in space" ID, before the forum changeover, and having lurked for a while prior to that. I have little respect for those that value members based on how many posts they have generated, or how many years since they joined. Since, IIRC, we both frequent another forum that's famous for arrogant folks with 40K or more posts, I'm sure you see my point.
There ARE many places that setting up a psuedo-permanent camp, and spreading out your belongings is absolutley NOT ALLOWED. (which is the problem we're discussing here.) And when it happens at a Walmart, it jeopardises the future use of their lots for ALL of us (including you)...so YES, this is a big issue. Nothing 'odd' about it.
Sorry, but statistics and anecdotes are two very different things. I travel extensively, and often have the RV rolling for 15-20K miles a year. A dozen years ago, on the big RV forum, I commented on the homeless encampment look seen at the semi-permanent camp set up at the downtown Anchorage Wal-Mart, and how it would lead to the ending of the opportunity for those of us that did not abuse a privilege. I was thoroughly attacked for being clueless. A few years later overnight parking was made illegal. I don't need to be taught about something I have been regularly doing for well over a decade. There are thousands of clean, well run Wal-Marts that welcome decent folks that know how to leave no trace, and respect others. There are countless thousands of folks who sleep in their parking lots every night without incident.
so, YES, I am backing up Caseyc's retort, as he's been on here for awhole and knows how we feel about such abuses to our ever limited 'free' campspots, like at Walmarts.
This is totally unacceptable. You are "backing" a attack on others based on the fact that this guy has been here "awhole", whatever that means. He has described my behavior exactly, and finds it so unacceptable that he compares it to squatting on a city street with a tent camper. I park my vehicle per the company's invite and the store management's instructions. I leave without a trace as the sun come up, and often spend a few twenties on needed supplies inside before I go. Caseyc can attack this legitimate, and encouraged behavior, and it's OK because he is a regular? Apparently everybody is supposed to assume that even though he described perfectly legitimate behavior, he really meant something else. Sorry, but this "logic" is beyond comprehensible.
So you're onna those guys who has a big RVand uses your slide-outs at Wally's....that's fine.
No it's not fine, in some ways I sucks. I would love to have a nice van to tool around in, and get twice the mileage with half the hassles. However, my wife is extremely disabled and simply cannot use anything small to enjoy her time on the road. My RV is not only smaller and plainer than average, it cost me about what a decent pick-up runs at the moment, and it looks like a big white bread truck. I know that many of the RV forums suffer from elitism and snobbery, but I didn't expect to see that here. If I parked a schoolie at Wal-Mart would it be better?
But to stay there for weeks on end, and setting out all your lawn furniture, your BBQ, bicycles, an awning, and a big unfriendly dog on a long lead...these are the very kind of actions that will get ALL OF US a permanent vacation, or an eviction notice, from these free campspots...which is exactally what has happened to Van-Tramp.
Please locate the part of CaseyC's post where any of this is mentioned. It was a straight attack on big RVs at Wal-Mart, nothing more. You projected the remaining crap you added. BTW, In thousands of stops at Wal-Mart parking lots, when RVs were present, I have NEVER seen anything remotely similar to the pics. posted by the OP.
This IS a big issue...for ALL of us. Get over it???.....I don't think so!
Your right, there is a big issue here. You personally have totally missed the issue, but hopefully you will now reread the thread, and think before rushing to somebody's defense, since they have a high post count. The issue is that a member of this forum made a derogatory comment about my lifestyle, and compared me to a squatter. I do not pass judgment on others here, I admire quite a few of them, in fact. Snide comments about big RVs and slides are a cheap shot, and it's YOUR job to address this kind of thing, not lecture me on things that I guarantee I'm far more versed on than you are!
and as a MOD on this forum...please watch that MYOB business. This is a public forum...
Sorry, but if you find a need to attack my lifestyle with snarky comments you are indeed encouraged to MYOB!
and b'sides, you didn't start this thread.
Being the OP gives you special powers, and status? Or, is it just the OP, and the high post count types who are deemed worth of the right to respond?
That looks way worse than simply pitching a tent. 
