Community reaction to Joe Oliver's 'radical' comment

Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver's accusation that "radical" environmental groups are trying to undermine the Canadian economy got CBC community members talking.

Oliver made the comment in an open letter released Monday. Appearing on CBC News Network later in the day, he said radicals are "a group of people who don't take into account the facts but are driven by an ideological imperative."

Within four hours of its publication, the story had garnered more than 1,000 comments.

Some readers took issue Oliver's use of the term "radical":

• "If you love this planet and all of its co-habitants (life in all its forms) then you are now considered to be a radical. Welcome to the club." - The Anarchist
  
• "How very disgusting that is anyone has any opinion other than the conservatives are immediately labelled as 'Radical.' Whatever happened to our ability to respectfully have different opinions in this country?" - barry0
  
• "Only in the Conservative universe is an environmentalist a "radical"." - Boomer1812
• "I think the term 'radical' fits the minister better than it does the environmentalists." - grokgargantuan
  
• "Wow, there are still radical environmentalists? Who knew. Where there is love and direct action there is hope." - mmmdelcious
  

Others agreed with his statement:

• "I hope that they can stop these radical environmentalists from destroying our country like they tried to destroy our world over the climate scam. Go Harper Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" - CO2Good
  
• "If they really want to be radical they should give up everything made possible by oil. Vehicles, plane, trucks, trains, clothing, computers, heat, cell phones, microwaves, homes, furniture.... need I go on. These people are noisy hypocrites. Period." - fatboy64
  
• "He is absolutely right. The US environmental imperialists are pouring $$$$$$$$ money at this through various means and Canadian environmentalist organizations are jumping to their tune. Venezuela is increasing heavy oil production and no noise from the imperialists. Hmmmm???" - Buffalojump
  
• "Most of these environmentalists are hypocrites. Sure, bring in the high profile celebrities: how do you think they get there, by canoe? Dog sled? No they fly in on a plane that uses the product you are protesting about. How do you protesters get to your protest location? Do you walk? Take a bicycle? I think not." - cargen
  
• "100% right on." - Pollster
  

Thanks, as always, for following our coverage. Feel free to continue the discussion in the comments.