Eco-Defense Edward Abbey Summary
Instructor Courtney
ENG122
22 June 2014
The Government Verses the Environment
After reading “Eco-Defense”, written by Edward Abbey, (348), it is obvious that some men and women are willing to do anything to protect the environment they live in. The opening paragraph compares protecting the American wilderness by the same means a person would use to protect his or her family and property. He is insinuating that everyone should put their lives on the line to protect the wilderness. This is not accepted by the general public. A rational person would not allow themselves or anyone they care about to die for a resource that could be ultimately naturally replace over time. In the case of fossil fuels it would take many generations to replace, …show more content…
“Tree-spiking is accomplished by driving large bridge timber spikes deep into a tree. A second spike is used to drive the first out of sight into the tree. The second spike is then removed. Some mills are starting to use metal detectors to save their equipment and employees, radical environmentalists get around this by using ceramic spikes.” (Miller) This shows the disregard for the law and he expresses an immature side by thinking being endanger is fun and sporting. This discredits the author’s claims of sensibility and the need to do whatever it takes to protect the wilderness. Dave Foreman, who operates Earth First located in Tucson, Arizona, was quoted as saying, “We’ve failed if a spiked tree gets to a saw mill.” Mr. Foreman also conceded that the threat of destroying sawmill machinery also brings with it the threat of injury to sawmill workers. He admitted that he has never been inside a sawmill. Asked if his group has tried to work with millworkers instead of endangering them, he said attempts at solidarity between millworkers and environmentalists always fail.” (Miller) No matter how this statement is translated, the message is quite clear. Extreme environmentalists and or eco-terrorists do not care about human life just the
ENG122
22 June 2014
The Government Verses the Environment
After reading “Eco-Defense”, written by Edward Abbey, (348), it is obvious that some men and women are willing to do anything to protect the environment they live in. The opening paragraph compares protecting the American wilderness by the same means a person would use to protect his or her family and property. He is insinuating that everyone should put their lives on the line to protect the wilderness. This is not accepted by the general public. A rational person would not allow themselves or anyone they care about to die for a resource that could be ultimately naturally replace over time. In the case of fossil fuels it would take many generations to replace, …show more content…
“Tree-spiking is accomplished by driving large bridge timber spikes deep into a tree. A second spike is used to drive the first out of sight into the tree. The second spike is then removed. Some mills are starting to use metal detectors to save their equipment and employees, radical environmentalists get around this by using ceramic spikes.” (Miller) This shows the disregard for the law and he expresses an immature side by thinking being endanger is fun and sporting. This discredits the author’s claims of sensibility and the need to do whatever it takes to protect the wilderness. Dave Foreman, who operates Earth First located in Tucson, Arizona, was quoted as saying, “We’ve failed if a spiked tree gets to a saw mill.” Mr. Foreman also conceded that the threat of destroying sawmill machinery also brings with it the threat of injury to sawmill workers. He admitted that he has never been inside a sawmill. Asked if his group has tried to work with millworkers instead of endangering them, he said attempts at solidarity between millworkers and environmentalists always fail.” (Miller) No matter how this statement is translated, the message is quite clear. Extreme environmentalists and or eco-terrorists do not care about human life just the