Besides being fixated on policy/legislative debates in Washington and elsewhere in the US, this blog, in a general sense, is meant to contribute to a more realistic - and therefore strategically effective - green movement in legislation, get good candidates in office, impact public debate etc. Too often in this country and others, environmentalist movements and other left-leaning groups allow the perfect to become the enemy of the good, to the detriment of all.
This shoot-ourselves-in-the-foot type history extends to some of the leaders - whether factual or 'wannabe' - that the movement seeks out. Right or wrong, we're perceived by 'mainstream' America and 'mainstream' media as a bunch of wackos, and until we can offer credible, sane, realistic leadership across the board, that's not going to change. And the longer we're viewed as wackos, the easier it is to dismiss us and bar us from the ranks of the decision-makers.
Which brings me to today's rant. Some of you might be familiar with the Tenthmil organization running out in Oregon. These guys have been around a little while now and I generally admire their work and their mission. But their founder, Steve Munson, could be Exhibit 1A in the leadership dilemma I describe above. The guy has a history of DUIs, and has also been charged with assault, pointing guns at people and even animal neglect! And this guy wants to be a 'leader' in the green movement? You've gotta be kidding me. He couldn't even hold his gig at Vulcan Power for more than a few months after his investors saw what a loose cannon the guy is. And now he wants to be some green trailblazer? It's a joke.
I've checked with some sources out here in the West and I have it on good authority that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Munson is a mess.
Better leaders, please. Without them, we advance. With them, we're discredited before we even open our mouths.
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