The Wilmington StarNews editorial board has given another propagandist from the N. C. Coastal Federation a long column on its “Perspectives” page. Sam Wilson, Stop Titan Action Network program assistant, weighs in with more environmental activism laced with misguided and contradictory commentary. Mr. Wilson tries to justify his anti-industry movement from an economic perspective, but comes up far short of a convincing argument in the real world. (link)
Wilson starts with the laughable comment that “we urgently need a serious, thoughtful discussion” about creating jobs. Where has he been for the past several years? One big benefit, discussed from the beginning of the announced cement plant is bringing construction crews, well-paid managers and skilled technical workers here that will contribute significantly to the local economy.
Wilson’s comment that supporters of the plant “appear unwilling or unable to have this conversation” is blatantly bogus. For years Carolinas Cement Company officials and others have tried, but Stop Titan activists have rejected serious discussion. They don’t want honest debate because it’s a losing process for them—the organization’s title describes their mission.
Wilson says the Stop Titan campaign has been labeled “anti-growth,” that he denies. At this site we have labeled it anti-development: in the case of Carolinas Cement proposed plant, clearly these people oppose industrial development—especially those vital industries that convert our natural resources to useful needed products. The evidence is overwhelming; even at their website. (link)
They’ve been at it for nearly four years. Typically, Wilson and his “nattering nabobs of negativity” (a term used by the late Vice President Spiro Agnew, 1970) do not engage in serious discussion because they have nothing but emotion on their side; the real world eludes them. Illusion frames their worldview leaving them with only distortions, deception and denigration.
We’ve observed and documented their radical, often irrational, behavior over the years. Spreading fear and misinformation about potential pollution is their primary tactic. Wilson labels these important industries “heavy polluters” that, he asserts, have a “repelling effect on other businesses and industries.” There’s no evidence to support that.
Cement plants operate in some of our most developed areas with no harmful results. For example, this past September I drove by a huge cement plant in downtown Seattle, Washington surrounded by other industries—I didn’t see any “Stop Cement” signs.
The Castle Hayne site is in a relatively remote location adjacent to other current mining operations north of Wilmington. Potential “polluters” such as the state port, the city sewer plant, an incinerator and several manufacturing facilities exist in obvious harmony within the city limits. Stop Titan’s persistent opposition to the plant is inconsistent with the reality we can see around us. Otherwise, why don’t these activists launch extended, rancorous campaigns to stop the other potential polluters in this region? It’s because they would have no credibility.
Wilson claims that the Cape Fear region lost 30 percent of its manufacturing workforce since 2008. It may not be coincidence that during that time Stop Titan has been campaigning maliciously against the manufacture of cement. Have their obstructionist efforts sent a “repelling” message that certain businesses aren’t welcome here—signaling other manufacturers that this is a hostile business environment?
Yet Wilson also claims that this area is “blessed with an economic powerhouse.” With unemployment at or above the high state average this comment isn’t believable. At the same time he says that New Hanover County is a “pollution haven”—a wildly unsupportable statement. Wilson’s unclear thinking is repelling.
Further, Wilson says “we should be actively recruiting firms that add value.” In usual vague and meaningless environmental propaganda, “we” is not identifiable, but I assume that he arrogantly thinks that his activists should be involved in recruiting. And, if so, they should be soliciting for Carolinas Cement.
Our natural resources industries add great value through their operations—consider buried rock mined, processed and used to build a large bridge. Think of the value added from that raw material, dramatically transformed to provide drivers with safe, easy passage. In fact, without these industries: coal, oil, wood, water and earth minerals, we would still be a primitive society.
Sometimes we wonder. Environmentalists promote going back in time to greater hardships for the sake of their distorted views of an unreachable utopia. We must all sacrifice to their gods of purity. Their actions and words indicate that they don’t like the real world inhabited by people. Environmental ideology of intrinsic earthly values—untouchable—conflicts with the actual place in which the rest of us live.
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