The commentary by David Rubinstein (“The environmental scold: An instrument of terrorism,” Op-Ed, Oct. 3) really stretches the limits of common sense. Rubinstein relates two apparently emotionally scarring incidents at national parks–one in which he was scolded for an unlit cigar and another for taking fallen cactus leaves–and uses this as an excuse to trash the “environmental ayatollahs.”
Of course these events are irrelevant to current environmental issues and organizations working on them, and as a cigar-smoking enviro I’m offended. If Rubinstein can cite the environmental group working on a “no unlit cigar” campaign, or even a “don’t pick up fallen cactus limbs in a national park” campaign, I’d love to hear it.
Yet this irrelevance doesn’t stop Rubinstein from equating a few rude comments to acts of terrorism–a truly offensive act to the families of real terrorist victims. Shouldn’t a college professor have something a little more insightful to say about environmental issues than a recital of a few events when he got his feelings hurt?
