Hey Richie- I see environmentalism as a thinly veiled social statement rather than an adherance to the Biblical command to be good stewards of the Earth and all Creation. Environmentalism has become a pseudo-religion what with the far reaching tentacles of the global warming crowd (regulate the heck out of everything because of environmental impact. No new homes, businesses, etc... because of suburban crawl, hey nonny nonny.) As for Animal Rights. I've been accosted by PETA activists whilst exiting my local grocery store. These women were dressed in bikinis and holding up "No Fur" or "Meat is murder" signs. Ummmm.... I have 3 sons. Shall I teach them to objectify women in order to make a political point? I don't think so.
Conservationism is almost a Hippocratic Oath type thing. "First do no harm..." Then you protect and beautify your little plot on the globe. Have you ever driven through an area that is just stinkin' ugly because of litter? Have you ever stepped in the middle of an ashtray someone has emptied in a parking lot? Those people are jerks and there is no power- legislative, judicial or otherwise- that will get them to behave in a way that beautifies their surroundings.
Why are Conservatives targeted? Well, because they're easy targets. When a liberal is questioned on policy he/she tends to respond by attacking the integrity and humanity of the questioner (most frequently Conservative) with statements like: "They want to take away Social Security" "They want to rape the environment" "They want to put up road blocks to a Patients' Bill of Rights" (by the way- is that a catch phrase or what! What IS a pb of r?") Or my personal favorite, from Master Carville "Drag a dollar bill through a trailer park and see what you get..."
I know it's anecdotal, but that's the best I can do with three babes in arms who want a snack.
A Bientot