All right – so accusing Greenpeace of being dishonest, bullying, hypocritical, scientifically illiterate, menacing and environmentally damaging is about as novel and contentious as suggesting that Michelangelo may have painted the Sistine Chapel.
Even so, it’s good to see Andrew Montford weighing into the fray at this Spectator blog. His concern – mine too – is that for organisation which has “almost unimpeded access to decision makers” (such as Ed Davey) its dubious track record receives remarkably little scrutiny from a compliant media, which still tends to view Greenpeace as a loveable, homespun collective of gallant eco-crusaders in chunky-knit sweaters and rubber dinghies, rather than the thuggish, overmighty zealots they actually are.
He offers a few examples:
Gene Hashmi, Greenpeace India’s Communications Director, who in 2010 warned sceptics: “We know who you are. We know where you live. We know where you work. And we be many, but you be few.”
Greenpeace activist and Guardian contributor Gary Evans who, in a Guardian comment thread, wrote (under the pseudonym Bluecloud) of prominent sceptic Matt Ridley: ‘Should that not be Ridley’s severed head in the photo… Why are you deniers so touchy? Mere calls for a beheading evolve [sic] such a strong response in you people. Ask yourself a simple question: Would the world be a better place without Matt Ridley? Need I answer that question?’
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