Recently a publication chose to print an opinion piece that was critical of me personally. My name was used several times in a disparaging manner. I fully support the First Amendment.
In this instance, there may have been an assumption that such an ad hominem attack might dissuade others from speaking openly and forthrightly about the actual issues. The decision of that publication, as well as of the writer, were likely borne out of pique with being on the losing side of efforts to protect our county from the undesirable effects of massive new and extreme oil development.
The opinion piece contributor, let’s call him “Rosey,” as it’s the cuddly part of his email handle, is not a paid spokesman for the oil companies. But I have known Rosey for years and he is deeply invested in their profit-making. He espouses the same discredited economic, financial, and environmental misinformation that they routinely put forward in defense of their activities. I believe those arguments to be superficial, repetitive, and naive.
But this is, above all, a recognition that public awareness and opinion have successfully shifted in the 50 years since the oil calamity off the coast of Santa Barbara. A growing majority has come to understand more of the consequences and risks of the expansion of fossil fuel use, its extraction, its dangerous transport whether by road or pipeline, the “regular and normal” techniques for the disposal of its toxic byproducts, and the development of its associated infrastructure. This is especially true when these activities already exist, or are proposed, near our own homes and our precious water supplies.
Thousands have expressed themselves by speaking, writing, and taking part in public events in our county alone. Parents and grandparents, workers and students—in large and increasing numbers—have spoken and acted effectively on the subject. Aside from common sense, the law is also on their side.
The public perception and mood on these larger issues is continuing to advance. If we maintain our steady path, we will prevail. The tide is going out on fossil fuels and coming in on renewable, safe, and clean energy, and on the millions of existing and new jobs associated with it.
Let us continue to make use of the small fraction of petroleum that is processed into plastics and other products, to become useful, and often essential, items in our daily lives. But there is no reason to burn most of the fossil fuels when this only fouls our lives and our planet, while much better alternatives already exist.
When neither the facts, nor the law, nor public opinion is on their side, and the times are changing, the losing side often resorts to mudslinging. End the distortions and delaying tactics and help to hasten the needed transition to clean fuels. Your considerable rhetorical talents are appreciated, Rosey. They can be put to more constructive ends now.
This article appears in Feb 28 – Mar 7, 2019.
