That's what so-called "environmentalists" always say when I call them on their emotionally-loaded and inaccurate use of language. "You know what I meant when I said 'You want the spotted owl to die off!'", etc. Yes, I know what you meant, but the usage was still incorrect and misleading. Don't you want to use words correctly?
Or do you want to keep misleading people with emotionally loaded arguments?
The thing I don't understand is the use of the word "environmentalist."
What don't you understand? There is a group of people who call themselves "environmentalists" and proceed to dictate matters of property usage to the rest of us based on those... qualifications.
So, I am content to accept their word for themselves. They say they are "environmentalists" and so when I refer to them I use their term for themselves. What's the problem? What term should I use?
Do you object to me putting it in quotes? But, that is only the proper thing to do. I'm quoting them, of course. Someone says "I'm an environmentalist"; thus when I refer to him I call him an "environmentalist", quoting him. What else should I do?
Is that name-calling?
Huh? Only if the self-anointed "enviromentalists" are calling themselves a name. I'm using their word, remember?
Are you and environmentalist?
I wouldn't call myself by this term, no.
On an unrelated note, I do care about the environment and the outdoors and nature and even lots of critters. Not that any of that is necessarily related to whether I'm a so-called "environmentalist", of course.
Do you think I am?
I have no idea nor do I really care. You haven't said that you are so I have no reason to believe that you are. Ok?
What is the opposite of environmentalist?
Since the only qualification for being an "environmentalist" is to call yourself one, it seems to me that the opposite of "environmentalist" is "Someone who does not refer to himself by the term 'environmentalist'".
I hope I've answered your questions to your satisfaction. Let me know if you have any others. Best,