Posted on 07/18/2002 12:08:16 PM PDT by Grampa Dave
Eco-Terror Expert Calls For Inquiry of Green Anarchists
Marc Morano, CNSNews.com, Thursday, July 18, 2002
An expert on eco-terrorism is calling on the FBI to investigate an organization that is touting a nationwide tour to "destroy civilization" and raise money for convicted eco-terrorists, but a spokesman for the FBI's Domestic Terrorism Program said the agency is taking a hands-off approach for the time being.
The Green Anarchy Tour 2002, currently traveling from Ashland, Ore., to Washington, D.C., advertises its participants as "anarchists," refers to police as "the fascist force we are up against" and calls convicted eco-terrorists "prisoners of war."
Such rhetoric has Ron Arnold concerned. Arnold, vice president of the Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise, said the tour "presents probable cause for investigation.
"You do have people here recommending violence, murder, property damage, everything you can think of," he said.
Arnold is author of several books on the environmental movement including "Ecoterror: The Violent Agenda to Save Nature: The World of the Unabomber."
He believes that with the increasing number of domestic environmental and animal rights terrorist acts in the United States, the FBI should be more proactive in investigating possible threats like the Green Anarchy Tour.
"I would say that law enforcement has an obligation, probable cause to at least look into it," Arnold said. "If they say they are going to destroy civilization, I think we should take them at their word," he added.
FBI Lukewarm to Investigation
The FBI is less concerned than Arnold, at least publicly, saying it won't do anything until and unless the law is broken.
"The FBI is only concerned when there is a violation of the law," said Steven Berry, spokesman for the FBI's Domestic Terrorism Program. "We fully support the rights of any and all groups, no matter what their message or their purpose, to lawfully assemble, protest and march."
When asked about the risks of terrorism from domestic sources, Berry said, "The FBI is only concerned when there is a violation of federal law," adding that eco-terrorism is "the number one investigative priority of the domestic terrorism section."
But Arnold thinks the matter deserves greater attention, noting that the Green Anarchy Tour's support of convicted members of the radical environmental group Earth Liberation Front makes an investigation more necessary.
The group's Internet website says that proceeds from the tour will help convicted arsonists such as Jeffrey "Free" Luers and Craig "Critter" Marshall.
"[Earth Liberation Front] is an FBI declared terrorist organization that they want to be the beneficiary of their proceeds," Arnold said.
Eco-Terrorism on The Rise
According to Arnold, the threat of domestic terrorists cannot be underestimated. "I think it is as much a threat as foreign terrorism. These people are going to damage property and kill people," Arnold said.
Domestic terrorism and violence by environmental and animal 'rights' activists is on the rise, according to Arnold. "We've had 'animal rights' activists beat people with baseball bats causing serious injury. We see that kind of violence growing," Arnold said.
According to the FBI, there have been more than 600 cases of eco-terrorism causing $43 million dollars in property damage over the past decade, prompting him to call the federal response to eco-terrorism "a day late and a dollar short."
Arnold cited the failure of federal law enforcement for the escalating violence. "We probably have got [sic] literally thousands of [eco-terrorists] who ought to be in jail," he said, placing the blame squarely on the FBI for "failing to investigate exactly the kind of things you see on the [Green Anarchy] web site."
I think I'm saying the FBI isn't sure how to deal with them 13
That they don't know how to deal with them it's incompetence. It certainly isn't competence that they can't figure out what to do. As I said earlier, that is not promising when they can't handle the little stuff yet are expected to handle unknown and difficult-to-locate terrorists.
I think the FBI is simply being smart by publicly downplaying their concern. Who says they are not watching these groups like a hawk? And why should the FBI send out warning signals to them? Let them hang themselves with overconfidence.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that convicted arsonists such as Jeffrey "Free" Luers and Craig "Critter" Marshall were indeed being watched. One of them got 20 years, I think, and the other about 6, for bombing a car dealership here in Oregon, but I don't recall whether the FBI was part of that investigation or not. Grampa, can you supply any details? Anyhow, it shows that law enforcement and the courts take these eco-terrorists pretty seriously.
Meanwhile, as I said, let them go around the country announcing their criminal intentions and putting their luniness on public display. Heck, they are so arrogant and self-righteous, I wouldn't put it past them to post inadvertent clues about their upcoming crimes on their own internet site! One thing to keep in mind is that this country has no history of leftist guerilla warfare, just various riots and isolated acts by small groups like the Weathermen and the SLA. The eco-nuts have no expertise, they are naive amateurs -- spoiled children really, probably sub-consciously asking for a good spanking from their elders, lol. I doubt they would have the guts to put their lives on the line for their 'noble cause'. It will be interesting to see what kind of flak they draw in their nationwide anarchy tour. Somehow, I don't think the time is politically 'correct' to run around the country calling for the destruction of America! (I noticed that NYC is not on their agenda, wonder why?)
People like you cannot be trusted with handling valid assessments. For what it's worth, my reply number 13, which you refer to, ALSO contains a valid suggestion of how the FBI can begin to get around the left-wing elite and the "free Padilla" crowd. THAT, however, is only a BEGINNING which the FBI MAY be able to build upon in this case. You can only see the part that you want to see.
..."The FBI had no problem with preemptive surveillance when they broke the mob....thus paving the way for the Columbians to come in, unfettered by the mob that was broken by the FBI"
I agree, the FBI probably is.....it'd be stupid if it wasn't, but with the heads of SOME local offices, there's no way to tell.
In truth, I have faith in the FBI in general. And sympathy for the situation that all current circumstances, both of their making and out of their control, have landed the FBI in at this time.
I agree that the bulk of eco nuts are spoiled children with nothing better to do and looking for attention, however, the bulk of them (which make up the prtests and riots) are nothing more than the equivilant of cannon fodder for their handlers....who ARE dangerous.
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ALF Mission Statement / Credo
The Animal Liberation Front (ALF) carries out direct action against animal abuse in the form of rescuing animals and causing financial loss to animal exploiters, usually through the damage and destruction of property.
The ALF's short-term aim is to save as many animals as possible and directly disrupt the practice of animal abuse. Their long term aim is to end all animal suffering by forcing animal abuse companies out of business.
It is a nonviolent campaign, activists taking all precautions not to harm any animal (human or otherwise).
Because ALF actions are against the law, activists work anonymously, either in small groups or individually, and do not have any centralized organization or coordination.
The Animal Liberation Front consists of small autonomous groups of people all over the world who carry out direct action according to the ALF guidelines. Any group of people who are vegetarians or vegans and who carry out actions according to ALF guidelines have the right to regard themselves as part of the ALF
Remember the animals "freed" from poultry farms last year in the middle of the winder? The ones that didn't get hit by cars froze to death...but these people DO cause real damage.
BTW...they did hit NYC earlier this year, but security was too tight for them to do any more but hold up stupid, childish signs. Fox covered it.
Direct Quotes from Luers:
On June 16, 2000 I ignited a fire that would forever change my life. I torched 3 SUV’s. I took extra care and used specific fuels to ensure no one would be injured.
Approximately 30 minutes after the fire was lit and extinguished, I was taken into custody by 3 undercover agents who had been following me, one of whom I would later learn to be a member of an anti-domestic terrorist unit. I was arrested on Criminal Mischief One,a charge that carries about one year. In the course of one week that charge would multiply into 10 felony counts, including 3 counts of Arson One.
Getting to trial took the course of a year. By trial I had accumulated 13 felony counts, now including conspiracy with persons unknown. I was looking at a little over 100 years. I refused to take a deal.
I had never seen that remark about the " 3 undercover agents who had been following me, one of whom I would later learn to be a member of an anti-domestic terrorist unit."
I wonder if that includes al Qaeda terrorists?
Can't do that ... our firefighters have burned them all down.
You should go wherever they're going to be and FReep them. I'm thinking of doing it with the McKinney FReep crew here in Atlanta. Don't want the team to get cold from too many days on the bench ;-)
It was upsetting, as it would have created a huge inferno that could have killed many folks.
Interestingly enough, Luer's digs were within the range of this inferno, right across the tracks at the old Chef Francico's factory/wharehouse.
Luers had been aware that I have Green Beret military training, and had probed me for information concerning explosives and other such things while I was at the old 'Out of the Fog" coffeehouse a year or so before his little monkeyshines.
I note he tried to ignite fumes eminating from jugs of fuel with burning incense sticks, and as it was unseasonably cold that morning, Tyree was kept safe by whomever sets the weather up there. I am very, very, very glad I remembered that what knowlege was given me by the U.S. Army was taught me along with a sense of responsibility to safeguard it.
Had this clown hurt or killed someone, or even been more efficient and smart in planning his little operation's orders for these crimes, I would be a very tortured soul right now.
This situation taught me a great deal, make no mistakes about that.
He once beat up a kid who stole three cassette tapes. And he did it thoroughly, enjoying every minute of it.
He has also been in the hole for fighting in prison. He was badly beaten up by a common criminal also from Eugene after he took issue with that guy calling himself a Eugene Anarchist.
Posted to you: ... should be strung-up on the nearest tree.
Your great reply: "Can't do that ... our firefighters have burned them all down.
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