LARSON: No, no. ... It's propaganda! We're talking about a movie that foists off on little kids the idea that human beings are bad for planet earth. And that's not true. Why are human beings bad for planet earth? ... If you take your kids to this, understand they're going to come away with the idea that mommy and daddy are bad for the planet and the planet would be better off without them.
Lest you be lulled into thinking that Portland is populated by Left-wing, socialist-sympathizing, granols-eating nutjobs...well, allow me to offer up convincing proof that Portland is not as politically and ideologically homogenous as you might think. Local radio host Lars Larson, who, though I seldom agree with him, often does make sense in a odd sort of way, finally demonstrates that's he been drinking the KoolAid a wee bit too long. I mean, how (&^%$#@ stupid do you have to be in order to seriously posit the idea that a Disney movie is dangerous propaganda designed to turn our children against us? I mean...fergodsake, sheeple...IT'S A DISNEY MOVIE.
That Larson appears to be dead serious only points out that the man really is a loon, more in love with the sound of his own voice and self-perceived brilliance than seems reasonable or credible. Complicating matters is that Larson seems incapable of recognizing that human beings ARE bad for the planet...if we can't be bothered to find ways to minimize our carbon footprint. Would global climate be an issue if we we're pumping tons of hydrocarbons into the atmosphere day after day? Of course, we're here...and the good news is that there are steps we can take to minimize our impact and preserve the only home we have for future generations. Larson seems to think that there's no problem, so we can just keep on keeping on as we have been...which is exactly why global climate change is now an undeniable reality. We're here, but that doesn't mean that we can or should leave the planet in worse condition than we found it.
The problem here is not that Mommy and Daddy are bad for the Earth. What's bad for the Earth is the way we're living our lives and the damage we're leaving in our wake. Larson seems perfectly willing to ignore this reality so that he can continue living the wasteful, destructive lifestyle that so many global climate change deniers see as their birthright.
The problem here is not a Disney movie. The problem is Lars Larson and people who think like him, who are willing to focus on ridiculous, unsupportable assertions in order to deflect attention from real issues. If we don't talk about it, the problem will eventually go away, right? Well, something will eventually go away...and it's most likely going to be the ozone layer, because maroons like Larson refuse to change their behavior and their attitude...and it will be our children who will be left with the mess.
