Don't EVER call me an Environmentalist!
You would be hard pressed to find another person who enjoys and relishes the beauty that the natural world possesses and the awe it inspires more than me. The most memorable times of my youth were spent at a lakeside cabin in Canada enjoying the beauty of the lake (above and below the water), the surrounding forest, and the abundant fauna. I have had the great good fortune in my life to experience the pre-historic, Jurassic Park feel of the Everglades, the wide-open splendor of the High Desert of the American Southwest, the Shire like rolling hills of the Midwest Prairies, and the deep rooted agelessness of the forests of the Appalachians. To me, a guy who grew up in the shadow of a major metropolitan city and has seen my share of ornate churches, there is no greater Cathedral than a moonless night in the country - away from all the light pollution - under the blanket of a universe of stars. I will actually stop, as often as possible, to smell the roses and listen to the birds, and remind myself of the wonder of the world God has Graced us with - and thank Him for it, and for giving me the ability to appreciate it all. We are all part of this world, and to not recognize the wonder and majesty of it all is to deny the wonder and majesty of God.
But don't you ever - EVER - call me an Environmentalist! Rachel Carson was an Environmentalist !
Others, such as writer Paul Driessen, describe the fear of DDT as a "country club anxiety," a luxury of rich Westerners who can afford organic foods and all-natural cosmetics and clothing. They will never contract malaria. Meanwhile, Africans - many of whom are lucky to afford any food at all - have made it clear that they’re willing to accept the risk of potential side effects if it means avoiding the very real threat of malaria. Two weeks ago, Uganda initiated a program to spray houses with DDT, even though it will probably hurt their trade with the U.S. and the European Union. As Ugandan businesswoman Fiona Kobusingye told reporters, "I lost my son, two sisters and two nephews to malaria. Don’t talk to me about birds. And don’t tell me a little DDT in our bodies is worse than the risk of losing more children to this disease. African mothers would be overjoyed if that were their biggest worry."I’m not saying the environmental movement is entirely without merit. Nor am I a "global warming denier" or a person who believes in messing up the environment just for fun. But a movement that values a bird’s life over a human life is hard to accept and even harder to respect.
Thanks to Rachel Carson and the banning of DDT, 20+ million people have died. (a VERY conservative number I might add) Now, Al Gore looks upon himself as the new High Priest of Global Warming and head of the church of Environmentalism. Given the news about food shortages around the world thanks to the push by Environmentalist Al (remember, he cast the DECIDING VOTE in 1994 regarding the US Govenment Ethanol mandate) toward Ethanol production, one has to wonder how many people will suffer and die this time!
I care a great deal about the environment and the natural world, but if these two short-sighted do-gooders are examples of the quintessential Environmentalist, I think I'll pass on that label, thank you.
Comments
Amen. Al Gore cast the deciding vote, people are starving, and now through his private equity firm he's profited millions with investments in biofuel firms. Great post.
Posted by: Alexi | April 25, 2008 06:32 PM
Christ you people are delusional. Do you believe everything townhall and human events tells you? Get a grip man, grow some balls and think for yourself. This is utterly embarrassing...supposedly grown-up Americans writing this crap for all to see!
Posted by: Theresa | May 8, 2008 04:29 PM
Theresa, I read one article from TownHall about 10 times a year - I usually find them overheated and somewhat alarmist in their antiliberalism, even if we generally (but not always) agree on political philosophy. I've never read Human Events at all, and very rarely visit their website, so I can't speak to their brand of conservatism.
I agree with Steve (the author of this article) almost all the time when it comes to politics, but his writing style sometimes (!) pisses me off (!) to the point (!) that I won't even read my own website if his byline is on a post. That's the case here, so even though I'm commenting, I haven't a clue what he said to set you off.
And it will remain that way because (!) I really don't give a shit what "environmentalists" say or do, you're all just a bunch of fucking communists (or nitwits being duped by same), as far as I'm concerned.
So, now that I've spilled my guts and failed to defend your straw men, why don't you explain for us why you support everything said at DailyKos and The Puffington Host?
Posted by: Chris![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.theblackrepublican.net/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 8, 2008 07:29 PM
First of all, Theresa, my name is Steve, not Christ. While I try to be like Him, I (like many) mostly fail. But I keep trying. I think if you knew Christ at all you would not have made that error.
Second, perhaps you would have preferred it if I had used this reference instead? I'm sure even you cannot discount Reason Magazine as a right-wing mouthpiece.
2.7 million deaths per year... for 40 years. Whichever source you want to site, the conclusion is the same. Rachel Carson's concern for birds and cancer rates in children has resulted in the death of over Twenty.Million.People. - over half of which were children. What is "utterly embarrassing" is your failure to understand real facts and figures. And I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt here. Because I think it is entirely possible that this is not just a failure to understand on your part, but a willful decision to avert your gaze from the plight of billions of real, living human beings infected with a deadly disease that was nearly eradicated before Ms. Carson came along.
Posted by: Steve![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.theblackrepublican.net/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 8, 2008 10:15 PM
I just wanted to post a comment to congratulate Steve on that thougtful and dignified reply to the "...you people" commentor.
Your response was compelling and crucial to the dialogue.
Thanks for letting me blow my trumpet!
Lisa
http://blackwomenblowthetrumpet.blogspot.com
Posted by: Lisa | May 11, 2008 12:32 PM
Environmentalism is a religion (http://likeitornot.blogtownhall.com/2008/04/22/environmentalism_is_a_religion.thtml). Therefore, to question the dogma is heresy. With most fringe religions there is no need to be scared of committing such a crime, however this religion has some very powerful followers who can, do, and will continue to punish dissent. These people (politicians, world governments, teachers, and scientists among them) tax, detain, fire, stigmatize, and attempt to de-legitimize those who question their authority and their faith.
Posted by: HvySlpr | May 27, 2008 04:33 PM