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June 21, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels May 8, 2004 Two approaches, like it or not The yin and yang of the environmental community were in full display this week, flitting around the edges of a foresters' conference at Southern Oregon University. Within a short period of time on Thursday and Friday, both were on display, their juxtaposition clearly evident. Thursday, Dominick DellaSala, the articulate director of the local World Wildlife Fund, peaceably and respectfully debated Dr. John Sessions, of Oregon State University, while a pair of protesters perched quietly up a nearby tree. DellaSala has the scientific credentials to make his case, and does so without being condescending to those who aren't as passionate or knowledgeable as he is. But by Friday morning, a vastly different approach was taken when all the door locks at Stevenson Union were glued shut, likely in protest of the conference taking place there. It was a silly, gutless act. If anything was accomplished, it's far outweighed by the public black eye that results. For so many moderates who are sympathetic to the environmental community, actions such as these reinforce the notion that environmentalists are all extreme, radical and out of step with realistic solutions to the problems at hand. It hurts the efforts of many environmental leaders who work legally to bring lasting environmental protection. It hurts the credibility of scientists who work daily to preserve our natural resources. It trivializes the issues and undermines efforts to educate and empower people to stand up for the environment. Of course, it's nothing new, and it's likely going to get much worse, before it gets better. With a Bush administration intent on destroying forests under the guise of fire protections, the extreme factions of the environmentalist community will likely resort to similar criminal acts. The ensuing scuffle between activists and forest personnel did little to advance the cause either. In the end, the biggest loser may be the forests we want to protect. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams