OK, the UK countryside protectors go back further. But in France I find the spread of anti-wind ideas is fairly recent. I'm now at the point where, when I see somebody I can reliably expect to be all for reducing GHG emissions (whether they are pro- or anti-nuke), I can be pretty sure that if I say "wind" they will turn out to be against, even virulently against.

Yes, you're right, the progress of renewables is the reason for increased intensity in the anti campaign. But the memes didn't pop up totally spontaneously...

I didn't see any mention of one-horned goats in the article. Nor of straw dogs, nor links to organized crime. We should write to the Economist to set the record straight.