Posted on 01/24/2008 12:17:38 PM PST by jazusamo
In May 2001, members of a Northwest group used arson to advance its agenda.
They set fire to the Center for Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington because they believed one of the researchers was genetically engineering poplar trees. He wasn't.
The arsonists destroyed plants and the research of several people other than the man whose work they targeted. None of their goals was served by the violence.
"Misguided" is the word, I believe. I'd even call them ecoterrorists.
The crime is back in the news because a woman accused of acting as a lookout for the Earth Liberation Front is scheduled to go on trial next month.
The professor whose work the group feared, Toby Bradshaw, said he is still doing the same line of basic research he's pursued for the past decade, trying to understand "the genetic mechanisms by which organisms adapt to their environments."
He does hybrid breeding, but not genetic engineering, no Frankenplants.
Bradshaw said he'll testify at the trial.
The damaged building, Merrill Hall, has been rebuilt, bigger and better. This week is the third anniversary of its rededication.
Researchers there work to preserve endangered plants and restore degraded landscapes, among other things. It's a building full of nature lovers.
Attacking it was senseless, but does trying to scare people into submission ever make sense? I don't think so. It might seem to work in the short term, but in the end it's self-destructive.
~Snip~
A dozen of them entered pleas, four fled and one committed suicide after being taken into custody.
The last one, the woman accused of being a lookout, Briana Waters, was a student at The Evergreen State College in 2001 and denies participating. Now she's a 32-year-old violin teacher in Berkeley, Calif., and a mom.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com:80 ...
Yes, she should have accepted the plea deal, I’ve read about it but can’t remember the specifics. I believe her sentence would have fallen in with the lightest sentences.
A violin teacher having to face the music.
One wonders what kind of music...death march or...
8-)
thanks
Being a mother doesn’t exempt one from the just cosequences of ones actions. The terrorist act in which she was complicit destroyed property and the research work of several people. She needs to accept the consequences as a model for her child in being a mature adult who takes responsibility for what they do.
The travesty is that justice has taken so long to get her into court.
Absolutely agree with all your points. She was an adult and knew exactly what she was doing. Her attorney has gotten this trial postponed several times and it’s past time for justice to be served.
I guess the violin(ce) teacher didn’t realize cats have to die for humans to play violin. :’)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.