Ecoterrorism is alive and well in Maine
Vandalism? Sure. You can call it that.
But why continue pussyfooting around? Call it what it really is.
Ecoterrorism.
"The FBI defines eco-terrorism as the use or threatened use of violence of a criminal nature against innocent victims or property by an environmentally-oriented, subnational group for environmental-political reasons, or aimed at an audience beyond the target, often of a symbolic nature."
James F. Jarboe, Domestic Terrorism Section Chief, Counterterrorism Division, FBI; , Feb. 12, 2002.
And it's here. In Maine. Now.
Cretins of the lowest common denominator have decided that the only way to fight the Plum Creek project is to commit cowardly acts of ecoterrorism. Acts of violence against not only company property, but now against the families of Plum Creek employees.
Read about it for yourself.
And feel free to throw up in disgust.
Paint, feces and animal guts were used to target employee homes in Oakland and Greenville.
Mere Halloween pranks?
Not a chance.
A coordinated effort by hoodlums in the night?
I think so.
My blood is at the boiling point. Maybe yours is too.
We have ways of working out our differences in this country that don't include such despicable acts.
For the grossly uninformed paint-sprayers and feces-throwers, they're called public hearings, letters to the editor, e-mails and phone calls to state representatives, peaceful demonstrations, the LURC review process, town meetings, the voting booth.
You want to disagree with the Plum Creek goings on? Fine. Seems about a 50-50 split amongst thoughtful people around the State of Maine on this one, so there's plenty of pros and cons out there. I find that healthy.
But there's lots more to be learned. A long way to go in the process. A great many changes to the plan. Some that we'll like, some we won't.
But reasonable people don't commit criminal acts like this. You're not doing your cause any favor folks. Of course, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt that you can even read this. After all, I'm not writing it in spray paint.
For the decent, sane majority, I wonder: Can we agree on some kind of reasonable development in the Moosehead region that meets the needs of the local people and our visitors, that invigorates the local economy while preserving the wild and beautiful character of the area that is so precious, so vitally important to us all?
Can we do this thing right?
Is it only one way or the other?
Can we please stop the hysteria on both sides of the issue?
Can we cease with the violence?
Ecology is all about balance. We must have remote, wild and scenic places. People need to have jobs and places to live. The pressures on our resources continue to mount. The population continues to grow and move about.
Tough stuff to deal with. But thoughtful, forward-thinking people working together can, and will, find the right path through these problems. To achieve a reasonable balance. I am certain of it. We call it hope.
And I hope that we have seen the last of the paint and the feces, of the wrong-doers who don't want to be part of the civilized process.
There is a better way. And we know that way.
I strongly agree with Carey. This is terrorism, not vandalism, its not just some teenagers throwing eggs at a house; it was a well-planned effort to make a point, which in my opinion is way too far over the line. I can understand that the opposition to Plum Creek the needs to prove their point, but eco-terrorism is too far. There is no need to damage private property just to make your little point that you are angry. These idiots deserve jail time, and I hope they are caught. The other problem is that the mass media glorifies this, which is exactly what the terrorists want. Why do something and then get no credit for it...that’s no fun, but when you get 6 TV news crews and news papers snapping pictures and interviewing the victims, its only helping the terrorists. If we truly wanted this to stop, then don't report about it. Don't show it on TV and don't take pictures. Once nobody seems to know or care about what these people are doing, then maybe it would stop. And to those eco-terrorist nuts...you want to make a difference, go plant some trees, lead a group of people for an effort to improve the environment, do something intelligent instead of damaging things. We get the idea, you are angry,you are not scaring anybody.
Posted by
IanNovember 2, 2005 01:15 PM
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