Déjà vu all over again

I read with interest Becky Johnson’s story regarding conservative Christians and the environment in The Smoky Mountain News on July 13.

John Edwards of Cashiers was quoted in the piece regarding development of a lot near his as follows: “He left absolutely no living thing on the lot, no mountain laurel, no rhododendron. It is a gross abuse of God’s creation. Natural resources are to be used but they are to be used wisely and replenished when possible and protected from abuse.”

When I was a full-time reporter for The Smoky Mountain News, I also spoke with Mr. Edwards, who is chairman of a group called Republicans for Environmental Conservation. It was in August 2003 and the Heritage Forests Campaign’s “Whistle Stop” tour had rolled into Asheville. Environmentalists were trying to shore up support for the “Roadless Area Conservation Rule.”

The Clinton Administration signed that legislation into law on Jan. 5, 2001. However, immediately upon taking office Bush delayed implementation of the rule and today it is in jeopardy.

Edwards was at that 2003 event as the North Carolina coordinator for Republicans for Environmental Protection. When I spoke with Edwards he told me: “Everyone knows what the problems are, but what are the solutions? We can’t let Bush or Taylor (Rep. Charles Taylor) or anyone get in the way of finding those solutions.”

When I asked if the difference in environmental attitude between Republicans such as himself and those in office would be evident in the upcoming (2004) election, Edwards responded, “I believe strongly in the value system of the Republican Party. I believe, as a Republican, we have avenues for reaching the people in power. We need to concentrate on a positive approach. We need to reach those peoples’ hearts.”

After the 2004 elections those peoples’ hearts still haven’t been reached. Those people are dedicated to drilling for oil in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge. Those people are dedicated to disemboweling the New Source Review. And if Republican Rep. Richard Pombo of California has his way, the Endangered Species Act would be repealed by 2015.

This is by no means a personal attack on Mr. Edwards. When we met that sunny afternoon in Asheville, we had a pleasant chat about numerous ecological issues. I believe Mr. Edwards is quite sincere in his respect for and desire to protect the environment that nurtures both Republicans and Democrats.

But there can be little doubt that Edwards and those Republicans for Environmental Protection are ideologically miles apart from those Republicans who now control our environmental policies. But there is also little doubt that if the hearts of those Republicans in power are to be reached, it will have to be through party members like Edwards who can’t simply be dismissed as either a Democrat or an environmental whacko.

I hope Mr. Edwards’ panel discussion, “Caring for Creation” last Friday was a rousing success and that citizens left empowered and dedicated to making a difference. Face it, while Mr. Edwards noted in Johnson’s article that he was not politically active, the polling booth is the only place that each individual conservationist can make his/her voice heard. But no one said those levers couldn’t be pulled in Republican primaries.

(Don Hendershot can be reached at ddihen@earthlink.net.)