Island Park vs The Druids

Last Friday evening, I had the opportunity to attend a public meeting on the Island Park National Monument designation. It was sponsored by the local Chamber, the Caldera Heritage Coalition and the Idaho Recreation Council. The event was well attended and was hosted by Ken Watts.

The presentation to State and Federal officials of petition signatures and the results of November’s advisory vote (93% against) was discussed. Staff members of our congressional representatives were in attendance to recount what was being done in our behalf to stave off the National Monument designation. Mr. Watts listed some of the environmental groups working for monument designation and the hundreds of thousands of dollars being funneled to them. It was difficult not to feel overwhelmed.

Environmental activism has become the religion of the secular left. They embrace the theology that humans are not part of the ecosystem. This overindulgent emphasis on the sanctity of “Mother Earth” is reminiscent of ancient druids.   The druids were an educated, professional class of Iron Age Celts centered in the British Isles and Gaul. Their religion was nature-centric.

Religious movements can become oppressive or even tyrannical when they are willing to use the power of the state to enforce their beliefs. The current administration has proven itself to be true believers in the gospel of global warming and environmental activism. Last week the Obama administration announced that it would seek wilderness protection for twelve million acres of Alaska. 

This action was conceived without consulting Alaskans. A 60 second video released by the president served as the state’s notification. 

While it is essential that the efforts of the “Say No to the National Monument” movement continue, the current administration will give no credence to the opinions of the “non-believers”. Our best hope is that congress will withdraw the presidential power of unilateral monument designations and that the Island Park National Monument is not high enough priority for a declaration to be made in the interim.

Citizens of Fremont County should demand that our county leaders 

do not employ those who secretly work against the will of the residents. This mess was created when a study group headed by county employees spent a couple of days pitching the idea of a National Monument to environmental groups. Thanks a lot!

Island Park doesn’t need an influx of druids to tell us how to protect the caldera. Local residents are great stewards of the environment. Druids should congregate at Stonehenge instead.