Are radical environmentalists threatening domestic terrorism against logging companies?

Steve Henson, executive director of the Southern Appalachian Multiple-Use Council, warns that radical environmentalists are threatening domestic terrorism against companies bidding on a national forest timber sale. Henson’s column was published by the Asheville Citizen-Times, and reporter Jon Ostendorff has a story to follow up.

From Henson:

In the wake of this infamous May 1 event, postcards evidently were sent by a radical environmental group called Earth First!, postmarked in Asheville, to numerous forest product enterprises across Western North Carolina. In my nonlegal opinion, the postcard message was a not-so-veiled domestic terrorism threat to these companies. The, in my view, threat was obviously communicated to discourage these companies from bidding on a national forest timber sale called the Globe in Caldwell County. The message on back of the postcard reads: 

 

“In these dangerous times…..

“So you’re thinking about investing in the Globe Forest Timber Sale?

“This timber sale is highly unpopular with nearby residents. Additionally, radical environmentalists have a vested interest in saving this beautiful tract of native old growth. Little is left of the vast forests that once blanketed eastern North America, and many believe that their survival is imperative to continuation of life on this planet.

“In a time of economic recession and uncertainty, now is not the time to gamble with your assets.

“Sincerely,

“your friendly financial advisors.”

 

At the bottom of the above message is a drawing of a pipe wrench, symbolizing the “monkey-wrenching” term for sabotaging activities used by radical environmentalists, along with a profane quote by the author of the book “Fight Club.”

Forest product companies in Western North Carolina are very conscious of the real threat of these ecoterrorists, as some have been the target of “monkey-wrenching” incidents over the past couple of decades, particularly those that have a business history with the U.S. Forest Service. We know a lot about groups like Earth First! and their motivations.

The Earth First! movement is heavily influenced by a combination of anarchy political philosophy and a radical environmental philosophy called “Deep Ecology” (you can go to the Internet at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_First! for a more detailed discussion). The first and most important principle of “Deep Ecology” is that all life (human and nonhuman) has equal value. We should pause and think about this principle for a minute. Do we see our lives on the same level as the common housefly?