The anti-environmental atmosphere that settled like a blanket of
smog around Washington, D.C., with the arrival of the new president
has several right-wing industrial cabals flexing their muscles. And
the Rainforest Action Network (RAN), an environmental organization
dedicated to preserving old-growth forests and rainforests
worldwide, has become a prime target.
‘A trio of anti-environmental groups and companies is launching a
multi-tiered attack on the Rainforest Action Network,’ reports Don
Hazen in the alternative online news source Alternet.
One of the goals of this conservationally incorrect cadre, writes
Hazen, is to get the IRS (you know who they are) to revoke RAN’s
non-profit status.
Spearheading the attack is a group called Frontier Freedom
Foundation (FFF), which was founded by Dick Cheney’s buddy and
former Wyoming Senator Malcom Wallup, and is funded by tobacco,
oil, and (not coincidentally) timber money.
he timber/paper behemoth Boise Cascade Corporation (BCC) is heading
up the second wave of the assault, mailing threatening letters to
RAN’s funders and supporters–including the principals of schools
where students have written to BCC about their logging
policies.
And finally, reinforcing the ranks of the FFF is the Center for the
Defense of Free Enterprise, commandeered by Ron Arnold of ‘wise
use’ fame. Arnold and the Center’s weapon comes in the form of
propaganda, which he wields with a heavy hand–referring to RAN’s
goals as an ‘anti-capitalist and anti-corporate agenda of force,
intimidation, and unlawful actions.’ In fact, Arnold’s Goebbelsque
accusations have gone as far as linking the nonviolent RAN with
such controversial militant environmental groups as the Earth
Liberation Front.
RAN supporters claim the IRS tactic has little chance of succeeding
and vow that the assault will simply strengthen their resolve. ‘Let
there be no doubt,’ RAN executive director Christopher Hatch says,
‘the work to protect our forests will not only continue, but
escalate.’
–Al Paulson
Go there>>
