ELF is the real threat

How could any sensible tree-hugger, animal-lover or planet-protector not respond to yet another senseless Earth Liberation Front terrorist act (“Washington house fires potentially linked to radical eco-terror group,” Mar. 4)?\nI say “senseless” because setting fire to anything, including three houses along a “Street of Dreams,” to stress an idea is ludicrous at best and criminal at worst. U.S. insurance payers and business owners, including property developers, are already feeling enough fear to last a lifetime from foreign sources.\nWhat no American needs now is more terrorism, especially from home-grown terrorists that have no regard for the tremendous opportunity that is democracy and the incredible possibility that is liberty. The freedom to espouse shared beliefs in the open marketplace of ideas is a national trademark that makes this land of opportunity we call home a viable reality.\nInstead of utilizing the democratic systems designed for social protest like the old-fashioned petition signing, letter writing, banner waving or street marching, the use of terrorist tactics by radical environmentalists dampers the entire Mother Nature movement. Nothing is ever gained for the cause through arson, bombs or blood.\nNotice the story headline did not read: “Super special, peaceful people unite to work with local developers to better world for humanity.” Instead, the story reports that an estimated $7 million worth of damages occurred from a “potential domestic terrorism act,” according to the FBI.\nIf a terrorist cell of ELF identifiers did indeed do the crime to “cause economic damage to businesses and organizations that ... harm the environment,” as the story proclaims, do they not see the absurdity of their own direct action? The “Street of Dreams” is no doubt insured, and rebuilding will use even more “green” resources.\nEco-terrorists engaged in domestic terrorism in no way help protect endangered fish, natural drinking water sources or the destruction of wetlands. Radicals have once again offered political fodder to environmentally-unfriendly opponents who can further label the eco-sustainability movement as “wacko.”\nInstead of educating the public, ELF proves once again that the greatest threat to Mother McEarth is ELF.