A benefit for Save Mt. Diablo offers one good reason to extend the 15 minutes of the guy who wants Mount Diablo to become Mt. Reagan

OK, so there are apparently a lot of people who are taking seriously a proposal by Art Mjares, a self-proclaimed devout Christian from Oakley, to rename Mount Diablo after the 40th president of the United States.

Or, these people are enjoying the sense of community in bonding over their objections to Mijaras' proposal.

More than 76,000 people have joined Facebook's account, People Against Re-Naming Mt. Diablo Mt. Reagan. Maybe it's fun to bash Mijares' contention that the name "Diablo" is “derogatory and profane," and that the late Ronald Reagan, also a California governor, was a great man--or something--and deserves this honor.

I suspect this grass-roots movement to keep Mount Diablo named Mount Diablo stems from the second motive--a shared sense of community--rather than a true fear that our 3,800-foot East Bay landmark is anywhere close to getting a new name.

As if anyone in authority is going to take Mijares' proposal seriously. His complaint about the supposedly blasphemous nature of the name Diablo has been trotted out every few years and generally dismissed.

OK, so people are having fun with this campaign. Fine, although, folks, it does ends up giving Mijares' proposal more public attention than it probably deserves, and, possibility, more credibility than it would warrant otherwise.

At least, this anti-Mount Reagan campaign stands to benefit  a good cause. For sale are cool "Don't mess with Diablo" t-shirts.

"Show your support for our wonderful Mt. Diablo and its historic name." That's the pitch to purchase the white or black t-shirts and hoodies for $12 to $30. Proceeds from the sales go to Save Mount Diablo's Restoration Team, a group of volunteers who do clean-up, fence building, trail construction, planting, watering and habitat restoration, creek cleanup, and non-native plant removal for land that the non-profit Save Mount Diablo buys and turns over to park agencies.

As I've said before, unless I'm being terribly naive, I'm not particularly worried that Mijares' idea will gain much traction. But thousands of people, some who are friends--Facebook and otherwise--are united against this perceived enemy.  Meanwhile, I like Save Mount Diablo, the t-shirts and hoodies are cool looking, and I happen to need a new hoodie. So, maybe I'll be buying one. 

If you are interested in purchasing one, go to the Don't mess with Diablo website.