We must pick and choose carefully where to expend our energy so we have the most influence to precipitate change. Some may work in the limelight but he has no idea how many more work in the background. We must all be careful not to mix terminology. Protection of the gamut of environmental elements is a value shared by all but the priorities and interests may be entirely different. Interests are not the same as values and priorities.
Interests change but values are relatively consistent.
It is a poor assumption that the public is always fighting for the long term as there are many personal agendas. The public can have as poor a conscience as Mr. Hammond infers the timber companies hold. Discretion does not necessarily confer objectiveness or impartiality but rather infers freedom to make a decision based on a true understanding of all the information, priorities and interests involved. As professionals, we submit our professional opinion to the decision-maker who judges all the information at hand. Sometimes tough decisions must be made in the interest of the public good.