Earth Day Focuses Attention on Deterioration of Environment

The article by Kennedy is an example of the pathetic Pollyanna attitude that threatens to reduce the environmental movement to a media circus destined to quickly fade in deference to big business-as-usual. Earth First! should be applauded, not chided, for standing up to the vested interests and refusing to compromise the integrity of our remaining wilderness areas. It takes political and personal courage to chain oneself to a bulldozer or to physically block huge logging trucks in an effort to prevent further clear-cutting. The object of actions such as tree spiking is to protect forests, not injure loggers. Spiked trees are painted with large “S” as a warning.

I applaud the more diplomatic efforts of Greenpeace, the Sierra Club and other mainstream environmental groups, but the question must be asked: “What have they really accomplished in the 20 years since the last Earth Day?” A series of politically palatable compromises and small victories designed by politicians and industry to pacify the public are all we have to show. The global environmental situation continues to worsen despite the well-intentioned efforts of these groups. Enough talk, Mr. Kennedy. It’s time we put the Earth First!

BRAD BOWLIN

Hermosa Beach