For one, God did not make animals and man on an equal footing. Animals are to serve man. It doesn't seem to me that the environmentatlists seem to realize that. They seem to have turned it on it's head thinking that animals have the same rights as man (and sometimes more rights at the exspense of man.) It seems to me that the it's the very hunters that PETA detests, are the very conservationists that actually are looking out for the environment. They are the ones who have to make sure that the herds are culled of weak and sick, so that there are healthy animals who have enough grazing land, and fresh water to remain healthy. If PETA had it's way there would be overpopulation and starvation and death and disease from rotting animal corpses in the water simply because the animals are not managed properly.
As to water, how about all that rich farmland in California going without water because some environmentatist found a "snail darter" or something and to allow the people to have water would hurt the environment for the little fish. Result? 40% unemployment. Dust bowl conditions. Yep, crops gone because of the little fish. We get to look forward to a food shortage there. People die to protect the fish. I guess people don't count. (I just wish that these people would think things through. If things like this continue, there wont be any people to protect the darn fish in the first place!)
Like the air regulations. I swear the environmentalists don't think. Where I live people cannot burn outside trash. However, accross the street it's okay for people to burn trash! Err--I guess they don't realize that the wind blows the pollution across the street! IOW it only makes neighbors bring their things to burn accross the street--nothing more.
Reminds me of that nonsense with the air quality and those "cap and trade" regulations of the U.S. We are supposed to live under all sorts of regulations and closing coal plants (costing thousands of jobs for *people*) but it's okay if some place like China doesn't? Ever here about wind?
I surely wish that many of the environmentalists would start to realize that man is at the apex. Animals, Birds, Fish, water, Earth is there to support man, not the other way around.
And what's this thing about thinking that the earth is fragile? So fragile that if it's "looked at the wrong way" it will break. I keep wanting to send a news flash to them--God made the earth and God does not make junk. The earth has been around for thousands of years. Man is supposed to subdue it, not be it's servant. Over-regulations are harmful because they harm man and his ability to work and live free.
Sure is a lot to talk about here...
1. I would say that animal rights and environmental regulation are two different topics. There is some overlap, as current meat production and consumption contributes significantly to climate change. As far as the regulations side, I can't think of many regulations that protect animal rights, at least for animals other than those that are considered pets. There are laws that ban dogfighting, for instance, but considering the view that animals were put here for our use, I image you wouldn't support such laws.
2. The snail darter..you list some specifics there, like the protection of the fish causing 40% unemployment....so I guess I'll have to do some homework as I'm not too familiar with the case. I imagine it's an endangered species act issue, but I can't comment as I don't know too much about this.
3. The clean air stuff...now we get to the real issue of environmental regulations. You make a couple of comments about how the US shouldn't regulate emissions because other countries aren't. Then you correctly point out that the wind means we all share the same air. I don't really get this attitude, though. (kind of reminds me of talking to my sons...I often tell the oldest not to do something or other and he points out that his little brother is doing it too, then I respond with the cliched 'but you are older and know better, set a good example')
We have a term that the right likes to use a lot: American Exceptionalism. I felt a lot of that pride in country myself when we put a man on the moon. Now we are facing a climate catastrophe and I don't know why we don't have the willing spirit to tackle this problem. If we put in that kind effort, we could make a real difference, become a true global leader, divert a disaster and have the side benefit of bringing in a lot of new jobs. If we don't, then it won't be too long before it doesn't matter which country did what, in a sinking ship with no lifeboats, first class and coach passengers all drown.
4. In the end you say that the earth isn't fragile (and that it's a few thousand years old....off by a few orders of magnitude there, I would say). I think the earth is very fragile, and believing otherwise is burying your head in the sand. For the sake of my children and yours, I hope you and others will open your minds to the hard science surrounding climate change.
