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This by no means is a condonement of environmental acts of vandalism, but we haven't discussed the acts of vandalism by the extremists on the other side of the political spectrum. I'm talking about the conservative part of the population who endorse off-road vehicle usage on any public lands, and even public lands that prohibit ORVs. For example, in the Badlands of Eastern Oregon just east of Bend. In this vast area ORVs users ride in the back country and vandalize ancient Indian petroglyphs purposely to send a message to the BLM that they better not try to make this area a "wilderness" which would keep them out by law. They dump trash and chemicals in these remote areas belonging to the public, not only because it's convenient, but to say "**ck you Uncle Sam and environmentalist, how do you like your prestine area now?" I know this because I know people who've said this in front of me. Thye are the same people who say they "don't cry when they hear about cyclists who are struck by vehicles on the road, because they represent environmentally conscious people. There are organizations who promote anti-environmental actions like the Blue Ribbon Coalition and the Western Fuels Assoc. to name two. The Blue Ribbon Coalition was so blatantly anti-environment they bordered on terrorists. Lately they've toned the rhetoric down, but behind closed doors they are the same as before. My point is if we are going to discuss ELF or any other radical organization to protect the environment, we must also mention the radicals on the other side who are commiting equal damage in their actions. The only difference is you can never replace the damage these right-wing groups are doing like the petroglyphs, but you can always rebuild homes.
Jim

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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