A guest opinion and a letter to the editor in the WLJ really got my attention.
Urban Lehner wrote an insightful and informed opinion piece about U.S.-China relations, and the potential for war over Taiwan (WLJ Sept. 28, 2020). This is perhaps the most important national security issue facing the United States. I think it is important to keep in mind that the problem is the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), not the Chinese people.
The Chinese in Taiwan and Hong Kong are good allies, and our Chinese-American countrymen are fine fellow citizens. But recall how we were allied with the Chinese in World War II against the Japanese who invaded China. Then, after the war, the CCP took control, and fought us directly in the Korean War, supported our enemy, North Vietnam, in the Vietnam War, and have now built up a military that directly threatens us. Some describe the current situation as a new Cold War. The stunning stories of our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines fighting the Communist Chinese at the Chosin Reservoir in Korea provide a grim warning that those who ignore history may be condemned to repeat it.
The CCP also controls an economy that is a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, and devastates ocean fisheries with illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The U.S. Coast Guard patrols the Pacific Ocean to enforce international laws and deter such fishing practices, but it’s a big ocean and the CCP continues to deploy its fishing fleet, trying to avoid detection.
Yet, we get continuous accusations (and stupid lawsuits) from environmental groups claiming that American ranchers, farmers, loggers, miners, oilmen, and outfitters/hunters are destroying wildlife and the environment with “impacts” and climate change. Stephen Scribner, in a clear and concise letter (WLJ Sept. 21, 2020), describes how left-wing “exclusivists” oppose use of our natural resources. He wisely notes, regarding the recent devastating forest and range fires in the Western U.S., that we must “log it, graze it, or watch it burn.”
From what I can see, American environmental groups engage in strident opposition to Americans using natural resources, but levy little or no criticism of the CCP’s destructive environmental policies. Whose side are they on? Do they really care about the environment, or as Mr. Scribner asks, are they motivated by power, prestige, and profit?
I won’t claim to know what motivates others, but it is clear that American environmentalists (and some politicians and government bureaucrats) want control of the land and natural resources of the United States. All of it. This is clear from the application of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Clean Water Act (CWA) on public and private property.
In my opinion, this blatantly violates the 5th and 10th Amendments to the Constitution which protect private property and limit the power of the federal government. Recall that control of land and abolishment of private property is a primary characteristic of communism, implemented by the CCP. Again, whose side are American environmentalists on?
Readers of the WLJ know that wildlife and the environment benefit when land and resources are managed properly. Many readers of the WLJ are also dedicated to supporting and defending the U.S. Constitution and its guarantee of freedom and property rights. We are now faced with some politicians in the U.S. openly supporting socialism (which is roughly equivalent to communism) and its total government control and no freedom for citizens. Like the CCP.
I think we need to re-dedicate ourselves to defending the freedoms that are our birthright as Americans. The threat of the military ambitions and environmental destruction of the CCP should be a major focus of Americans. The good stewardship of our natural resources by American ranchers, farmers, loggers, miners, oilmen, and outfitters/hunters should be celebrated and used as an example for other countries to follow. A fine environment and freedom for all can result. — Dr. Matthew Cronin
(Matthew Cronin was a research professor at the University of Alaska, a U.S. Coast Guard officer, and is now at Northwest Biology Company LLC [www.northwestbiology.com] in Bozeman, MT. He can be reached atcroninm@aol.com. A full list of references can be found online at wlj.net.)
