Monday, July 28, 2008

Did You Ever Wonder?

How are virtually all attempts to do what this country always does best, continually thwarted by certain individuals? Although there seems to be neither rhyme nor reason for the placement of obstacles in the path of development, the practice goes frustratingly on, and on.

Of course, the development I speak of is the drilling for oil by major American oil companies, and the building of refineries to process that crude oil into marketable products for use by the average American. So, why is it that these companies are increasingly stopped from serving the public necessities which power the economic engine of our country? Why indeed? Putting aside for the moment, the spectacular claims by the Sierra Club for example, that anything big is something BAD, let us examine the strategy which put us into the conundrum we find ourselves faced with. I firmly believe that "Big Enviro" is quite at odds with the goals of America to not only be energy independent, but to progress as a nation embracing the free market system. A system that gave to us unprecedented prosperity, and a very high standard of living. This is nothing to be ashamed of, rather, something to be proud of: American exceptionalism.

On April 19, 1972, after five months of arguments, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Sierra Club lacked legal standing, in the landmark case: Sierra Club v. Morton. The court's ruling found that the Sierra Club lacked standing to sue against the development at Mineral King, near Sequoia National Park in California. The intent was to develop a ski resort financed by the Disney Corporation. The Sierra Club lost on appeal, however, the court found also that though the Club itself lacked standing, it might file suit on behalf of any individual member who claimed the Forest Service's decision to allow development, affected their aesthetic, or recreational interests. In other words, find an affected individual member, and the full power and resources of the Sierra Club will be brought to bear against others who saw development as necessary, anywhere, any place. The Club lost the battle, but won the war!

Associate Justice William O. Douglass, in his dissent famously proclaimed that inanimate objects, in fact, had such standing, and needed but a willing voice to support such legal standing. He then engaged in a sidebar discussion regarding the court's not attempting to supplant the judgement of the peoples representatives(e.g. Congress, and the presidency). His closing remarks are the faint echos we hear today whenever Big Enviro takes a stand against almost any form of industrial progress: "Perhaps they will not win. Perhaps the "bulldozers" of progress will plow under all the aesthetic wonders of this land..." Thus began the age of popular resistance to American industrial progress, and the assault on the American free market system.

So, the next time you pull up for your gasoline to take you to wotk, to play, or to the grocery store, remember, this is how it all began. Solar panels for your car roof anyone? Say goodbye to plastic too, that is, if you are willing to merely sit back and be a spectator to the passing scene.

None of our esteemed politicians are going to buck their most powerful backers. None! We do however, have a card up our sleeve. Push it all into the pot, and bet on a brighter future for yourselves, and for your children and grandchildren. If our representatives care not to represent us, then let's put them out to pasture with their government( our tax dollars) pensions. May they pass mercifully into oblivion.

1 comment:

Steve Atkinson said...

I couldn't agree more. Before we know it, we will have lost more, and more of our precious liberties.
Your grandson