SEQUIM — Former NFL tight end Clint Didier — now an Eastern Washington farmer and active in conservative politics — slammed the United Nations and an action plan called Agenda 21 at a Concerned Citizens of Clallam County — or FourC — forum Monday night in Sequim.
Didier, a 2010 primary candidate for the U.S. Senate as a Republican, told a supportive crowd of more than 200 at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula that the U.N. is a threat to individual liberties and the U.S. Constitution.
Didier, 52, took aim at the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives — or ICLEI — and other groups affiliated with the U.N.
Agenda 21 is a global biodiversity agreement approved at the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
“I’m sick and tired of the United Nations ruining our country,” Didier said, drawing applause.
“Now we know why they won’t allow us to drill for domestic oil: because of carbon. They don’t want us getting all these natural resources out because they don’t want us to populate this Earth anymore.”
If the U.N. gets its way, Didier said, “our children will never know what freedom is.”
“Now we know why they won’t let us harvest our timber, and then create tinder boxes that are just a lightning strike away from uncontrollable fire,” he said.
“Now we know why they’re reintroducing the wolves and the cougars.
“This is all part of the U.N. agenda. This biodiversity that they’re talking about — well, that’s an attack on private property rights.”
Private property
Private property is anything that you own, including your thoughts, Didier said.
“It’s you’re soul, and they’re trying to take it,” he said.
A Washington native and a graduate of Portland State University in Oregon, Didier made three Super Bowl appearances with the Washington Redskins in the 1980s.
In order to speak Monday night, Didier had to miss his former team playing the Dallas Cowboys.
“That’s a game. This is life,” he said. “This is freedom.”
In 2010, Didier ran unsuccessfully against fellow Republican Dino Rossi in a primary bid to challenge incumbent Sen. Patty Murray, D-Bothell, who eventually won.
“The problem in our country today is not a Democrat problem; it’s not a Republican problem,” Didier said.
“It’s an elitist problem. Some would say progressive; I say elitist. They’re people who think they know best for the mass population.”
Among those in attendance at Monday’s meeting was announced 6th District congressional candidate Bob Sauerwein, a Port Orchard Republican who plans to challenge incumbent Norm Dicks, D-Belfair.
Didier said he is endorsing Sauerwein.
Midway through the 90-minute forum, Didier brought up a letter of support for the Cascade Land Conservancy’s participation in a grant for sustainable communities that the Clallam County commissioners would consider the next day.
He asked if there were any commissioners present, and Commissioner Mike Doherty, D-Port Angeles, raised his hand.
“Turn this grant money down,” Didier said.
“This is how you get into this game, and there are communities across the country that are getting out. They’re wising up.”
Didier encouraged audience members to “get out of the closet” and run for office.
“While you’re hiding in your closest, they are taking away your living room, your kitchen, your dining room and your bedroom,” Didier said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
