Walk the talk, libs

Personal tools

You are here: home Issues Unnatural Preservation Walk the talk, libs

Document Actions

Letter - From the February 04, 2008 issue by Ed Graef

I am a native of Colorado and consider myself an environmentalist, but the anti-oil tone of modern "environmentalists," coupled with their lifestyle of hypocrisy, has alienated many independent and moderate Republicans (like myself) that would otherwise support pro-nature agendas. This isn't a taunt so much as it is a reality check from outside of the liberal community.

The world does not take modern liberal environmentalists seriously because they have proven to be incapable of changing their own lifestyle to usher in the anti-oil world they desire. Have you made a major sacrifice to decrease global warming? Have you eschewed an international vacation or domestic flight just because it would have been the right thing to do? Or opted out of a road trip just to reduce your "carbon footprint"?

The liberal environmentalist appears to be more interested in being right (about global warming) and convincing everyone they are right, rather than actually changing their own personal habits of consumption.

There are enough liberal environmentalists with cash to bring "green" values to life. Form communities that function without cars, invest in new products that bring about "green" living, or just move into a smaller home. Make your dreams a reality, rather than sitting back and chanting, "We have to do something ..."

Ed Graef
Denver, Colorado

Document Actions

Anonymous

Feb 01, 2008 05:35 PM

I have indeed walked the talk by choosing not to take trips - by plane and by car. I've limited my driving to 5000 miles a year. I'm vegetarian, which does far more for the planet than any change in driving habits though. What are you doing, Ed?

Anonymous

Feb 06, 2008 03:42 PM

In response to Anonymous' comment 2/1 at 17:29

Being a vegetarian is good for the environment? Do you think they don't use diesel in farming for the soybeans and other vegetables you eat? How about in the trucks hauling the veggies to the Natural Gas heated Whole Foods store?

Also, I am sure that the wildlife that previously inhabited the prairie appreciate the plowing up of their habitat so you can have some tofu.

At least livestock graze on native rangeland that hasn't been plowed into a completely foreign habitat.

Eat a steak and kick the "Greener than thou" attitude buddy, we are all in this together.

davegardner

Feb 08, 2008 02:05 PM

Ed, there are many environmentalists doing just that. You need to get out more! I admire them and strive to be more like them. I hope you'll do the same!

Dave Gardner
Producer/Director
Hooked on Growth: Our Misguided Quest for Prosperity
www.growthbusters.com

Anonymous

Feb 12, 2008 10:15 AM

Ed, how hypocritical to say you "would otherwise support pro-nature agendas." Believe me, with that mindset, you are certainly not an environmentalist. To claim progessives haven't done enough themselves may reveal your own hidden agenda - criticize those who encourage everyone to 'do enough,' that way, you won't have to even consider such sacrifices. We ALL should do more, including conservative for whom conservation used to be a philosophical cornerstone. Trying to demonize liberals because they speak, rather than deny, the truth about things like global warming doesn't remove your own responsibility. Rush Limbaugh may blow smoke by trying to construct a straw man from every liberal cause, but many moderate Republicans these days are seeing through that delusion.

SocraticGadfly

Feb 15, 2008 09:27 PM

Ed, this "anti-oil environmentalist" drives a Toyota Corolla. What gas guzzler do you use to propel yourself around?

Anonymous No. 2, what livestock are YOU eating? The steaks at any regular supermarket in this country were fattened in a feedlot on CORN grown on that land "plowed into a completely foreign habitat."