Let’s see if I have Ray Ring’s point of
view right: Powerful resource extraction corporations spend years
demonizing environmentalists. Not-very-sophisticated locals join
the powerful and spend years speaking ill of “damn
environmentalists.” Local enviros move on to other “opportunities.”
Is Ray Ring telling us we should feel guilty for not
assisting those whose lack of foresight or good sense has put
themselves and their families in harm’s way?
We can
barely get our own neighborhoods and communities to use good sense
about the use of chemicals and sound environmental practices, much
less worry about those in rural Montana too stubborn or unwilling
to help themselves. If someone’s entire extended family has
to be dying of asbestos contamination before they figure out who is
the bad actor, there is no profit in spending our very limited
abilities on their misfortune.
If the writer is
criticizing the “environmental community” for not coming to the aid
of persons so short-sighted that they are unable to stay out of
harm’s way even after being warned, the writer is
unrealistic. We don’t criticize those in the famine relief
business because they can’t feed all the dying of Darfur.
Harold Thomas
Sacramento,
California
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Libby locals should have defended themselves.
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