Opinion: Letter
Clegg absurd, biased on CFACT
Looking for a print version?
Simply use your browser’s ‘Print’ command and a printer-friendly document will be generated automatically.
Also by Letters to the Editor:
- Clegg absurd, biased on CFACT (May 5, 2009)
- Fund peer tutors (April 28, 2009)
- UW policy consistent with nation (April 23, 2009)
- Biddy's initiative not worth it (April 20, 2009)
- A plan for better advising (April 20, 2009)
Sharing tools:
E-mail this article:
Sam Clegg’s recent article (“SSFC right on; ASM muddles on as year end,” April 28) was unprofessional, offensive and inaccurate.
How does an article about SSFC and ASM divert into an attack on CFACT? Do you have an agenda? CFACT publishes campus pricing information to save students’ money, picks up hundreds of pounds of trash every year on campus and broadens ideological diversity.
You left out CFACT’s literature on land trusts, recycling initiatives and NASA scientists’ ecological observations. The portion dedicated to CFACT was based on a single conversation with a non-student representative. Using children’s language to describe one of the largest student groups on campus is unbecoming of an editor.
Here’s a glimpse of what you left out.
Gaylord Nelson’s view was that regulation is the answer to environmental problems, and he used [Earth Day] to push that view. CFACT members understand that government is not the answer to environmental problems, it is likely the cause.
I’ll summarize.
Starting in the mid 19th Century our government, under the influence of the Progressive Era, decided it was in the “public interest” to maximize productive capacity. Protecting property rights from pollution was therefore out of the question. As a result, clean energy, runoff barriers and forensic technology were pushed out of the marketplace as their dirty competitors operated with a “license to pollute” from the government. Nelson thought Federal Government should solve the problems it created.
Modern neoconservatives support command economy and central government, Sam. CFACT is dedicated to free markets and community.
You claim we had a lack of “intellectual integrity within [our] own advocacy…” When did we fall astray from principle? I’d like to know — that kind of criticism is constructive when specific.
Look, CFACT’s eligibility doesn’t matter on its own; our relative eligibility is what we are concerned with. Viewpoint neutrality has precedent in the Supreme Court.
As a counterpoint to government waste, force and taxes, CFACT advocates responsible, voluntary and sustainable methods of environmental stewardship. A system based on a network of voluntary interaction is inherently stable; CFACT proposes we solve environmental issues through the network that is the marketplace.
The implications of the debate between individuality and collectivism are real, and environmental issues are a spearhead. CFACT brings this debate to students at a pivotal point in history.
William Merrick
wtmerrick@wisc.edu
Economics and psychology
Junior, Campaign Coordinator, CFACT
3 Comments | Leave a comment
Leave a comment
Herald Blogs
The Beat Goes On
Brother Ali makes an ‘Exclusive’ stop
Muckrakers
Report: Barrett to make decision by the end of the week
Extra Points
Top Classified Ads (view all)
1318 RANDALL Court: Huge five bedroom house located near Camp Randall. $2500/mo. Call 257-7368.
LANGDON AREA Housing: Studios through five bedrooms available 8/16/2010. All apartments offer lake/pier access. Most units include heat. Call 257-7368.
720 CLARK Court: 3 bedroom house + den. You can easily fit 4 people people in this awesome house! $1750 Call 257-7368.
"CFACT’s literature on land trusts, recycling initiatives and NASA scientists’ ecological observations"
... was all written by a think tank in Washington DC by right-wing hacks.
"CFACT publishes campus pricing information to save students’ money, picks up hundreds of pounds of trash every year on campus and broadens ideological diversity."
Ooo la la, now do something that a high school earth club couldn't do. P.S. I've never seen your "campus pricing information".
Bunch of whiny frat boy pricks trying to get "community service" credit for nothing, controlled by a national organization that's funded by the nukes industry. Gag me.
This may be from wikipedia, but:
"A large proportion of CFACT’s funding comes from corporations in the energy and automobile industries, as well as conservative foundations. Its financial backers include The Exxon Mobil Corporation,[5] The Chevron Corporation,[6] The DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund,[6] The U.S. Council on Energy Awareness,[7] The Carthage Foundation, and The Sarah Scaife Foundation.[8]"
Still sucks for you, Bill. Exxon Mobil funding "positive" environmental change. Wow, just wow.
First off, whats with the anonymity?
Hey, 12:55- I put together some of those pamphlets myself, they are not assembled in D.C.
1:48- Wow, just wow- you have made absolutely no point. Call me William.