Somewhere in eastern Utah, there is a bumper-sticker that reads “Wilderness is the red carpet to socialism.” I’m not sure what this statement is supposed to mean. I have never, personally, thought there was anything ‘socialist’ about wilderness. The Wilderness Act of 1964 passed the Senate 73-12, the House of Representatives 373-1, and was signed into law by President Johnson. Say what you will, but it’s a stretch to say that the US had 73 Socialist Senators and 373 Socialist Representatives in 1964.
I don’t see environmental issues as political or economic, and am always frustrated when they are framed in such a manner. I see wilderness as something that nourishes the soul, among other things, but never as such a base issue of monetary gain or political power.
Dylan 9/16/09
1 comment:
Socialism has a red carpet? That's awesome. I get the sentiment. Anything that is generous, unexploited, or beautiful... anything that can be appreciated by all, that is non-exclusive... these are the hallmarks of socialism. That's fine with me personally, but the more disturbing sentiment would be about wildness. Wildness is the red carpet to the animal soul of man. That which live in our collective reptillian brain is activated when we sense true freedom, and in that freedom is a kind of violence that makes people who are used to comfort, very nervous.
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