Missing Lynx
by Don Wrege
When we lost the Viet Nam war in 1973 it was seen as a victory of sorts
for the free wheeling "peace movement," which included everything from
jesters like the Yippies to violent radicals like the SDS (Students for
a Democratic Society).
With no war to protest, and all that momentum behind a generation of
baby boomers ready to "change the world," environmentalism was adopted
as the next most logical cause. After all, the hippie infrastructure,
the volunteer spirit, the mailing lists, the day-glo posters and
requisite rock star bandwagon jumpers were already in place.
These days we are witnessing the growth of Enviro-terrorism, most
recently demonstrated by the so called "Earth Liberation Front." (ELF
for short--kind of has a mischievous ring to it doesn't it?) Like
Greenpeace gone bad, the recent burning of three buildings and four ski
lifts in Vail Colorado is the kind of "mischief" for which ELF claims
responsibility.
The group was supposedly avenging the Vail ski industry's increasing
encroachment on the natural habitat of a warm and fuzzy line of cat
called the lynx. (Problem is, while there have been reports of lynx
"sightings" around Vail over the past fifty years, there is no
definitive proof this area is a prime habitat for this secretive,
nocturnal species of cat.)
ELF might have its ski resorts mixed up, but what the hey? It was rich
people whose property and recreation area was torched, so who really
cares? How dare those wealthy folks torment the proud denizens of the
woods, skiing down the mountain in their loud clothes and designer
shades? They probably smoke cigars too!
When misguided souls adopt a religious fervor feeling their noble end
justifies any violent means, we have a holy war on our hands. No more
respectable than "unabomber" Theodore Kaczynski "going postal," the
Enviro-terrorists' self defeating jihad will only bring larger buildings
and increasing development to Vail thanks to the massive insurance
policies that will more than reimburse the $12 million loss.
Meanwhile, seemingly well intentioned fools like the "Earth Liberation
Front" give every conscientious environmentally aware individual a bad
name with their childish and cowardly acts of vandalism. My advice? You
kids stop playing with matches, grow up, and get involved with the
political process if you want to change the world. (The rest of us
learned that back in the Sixties.)
Light anyone?
