As I recall reading in Pournelle's SF novel Fallen Angels, animal rights activists won't hesitate to dump blood and red paint on little old ladies wearing furs, but wouldn't dare do the same to bikers wearing leather jackets.

I am always "amused" at those who clamor for us going back to nature at all costs but very likely themselves live in modern homes with electricity, televisions, radios, stereos, ACs, medicines, blenders, and the like. And I have encountered too many of them who know little to zip about science, technology, and biology but hear scare words like nuclear and follow the herd. The Cassini debacle is another case in point.

Yes, I like Earth too. I live here and want to keep my room clean, as it were. But to just dump civilization and all its benefits and cultural uplifts - such as an observatory, which the last time I checked doesn't come with smoke stacks and oil spills - is virtual societal suicide.

A compromise has to be found. I do not and will not tolerate extremism from either end. Especially uneducated, sheep following types.