Since the 1970s, some radical environmentalists have argued
that trees have legal rights and should be allowed to go to court to
protect those rights.
The idea has been endorsed by John P.
Holdren, the man who now advises President Barack Obama on science and
technology issues.
Giving “natural objects” -- like trees --
standing to sue in a court of law would have a “most salubrious” effect on the
environment, Holdren wrote the 1970s.
“One change in
(legal) notions that would have a most salubrious effect on the quality of the
environment has been proposed by law professor Christopher D. Stone in his
celebrated monograph, ‘Should Trees Have Standing?’” Holdren said in a 1977
book that he co-wrote with Paul R. Ehrlich and Anne H.
Ehrlich.
I can only wonder how much more before Someone
decides that the defendants are too crazy to stand trial, or that Planet Earth
will submit an insanity defense before God's bar of justice. Maybe Holdren
was writing for "The Onion" or something. The Great White Throne will be
verrrrrrry interesting.
Can the gavel -- a piece of a tree -- sue the
Judge? "Thinking themselves wise, they became
fools." No kidding!!
Best,