COLLEGE BLASTED FOR INVITING 'ECO-TERRORISTS'(FRESNO)

Family.org ^ | Feb. 10, 2003 | Terry Phillips

[madfly]

Rather than simply studying the phenomenon of "revolutionary environmentalism," a California university has asked former "eco-terrorists" to address its students.

An upcoming event at California State University, Fresno, is called "revolutionary environmentalism." But instead of studying the topic, the school has invited the "revolutionaries" to speak.

Another word for the past actions of some of the conference invitees is "eco-terrorism."

"One of the participants, Paul Watson, said that there's nothing wrong with being a terrorist, as long as you win," said Doug Heye, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif.

Pombo says it's outrageous that the university is playing host to such a crew.

"Not only is the university hosting them, but they're paying their expenses to get there," Heye added. "And that's our taxpayer dollars."

The conference began to draw fire from the Center for Consumer Freedom shortly after it was announced. David Martosko, of the group, said the event is labeled an academic exercise.

"For a public university to invite these people to campus on the public's dime, and then try to dress it up like an academic exercise, is absolutely unconscionable," Martosko said.

University spokesman, Mark Aydelotte said the intent of the conference is to study the activists and their motivations.

"The professor's particular interest in this case was to learn more (about) these specific groups and ... why they've chosen this violent direct-action mode," Aydelotte said.

One of the violent activists, Rodney Coronado, spent four years in prison for fire-bombing a lab at Michigan State University. Heye scoffs at the idea of studying Coronado and his kind.

"These people are not advocating recycling drives," Heye said. "They are talking about arson and tree spiking, and they're hurting people."

The university has decided to close the conference and make it an invitation-only affair. The public closure of the conference and tighter security are blamed on the media's "hostile characterization" of the gathering.

The conference, titled "Revolutionary Environmentalism: A Dialogue Between Activists and Academics," is scheduled for Feb. 13-14.

[editor-surveyor]

"Makes me want to open a Spotted Owl Cafe near EBUCK's billboards, and serve grilled chicken breasts from a "spot-fire grill" and call em "Grilled Spotted Owl Breasts", all you can eat!! Sorry, no greens on the menu!"

May I suggest that you include "poached chinook salmon" on trhe menu? :o)

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[Grampa Dave]

For a clear look at these Eco Terrorists, go to this link: (stopecoviolence.com)

[blackie]

Be Ever Vigilant!

Be Well - Be Armed - Be Safe - Molon Labe!

Let's Roll!

[Madame Dufarge]

Now that it's ultra-private and invitation-only, they'll probably drop the pretense of it being a "dialogue between activists and academics" and call it what it really is---a back-patting, recruiting, and strategy session.

Bingo! It actually worked out quite nicely for them.

[Cindy]

""One of the participants, Paul Watson, said that there's nothing wrong with being a terrorist, as long as you win," said Doug Heye, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif."

MESSAGE TO TERRORISTS: Terrorists Don't Win!

LINKS OF INTEREST:

FBI.gov - Search Term: "ECO-TERRORISM"

ANANOVA.com: "ANIMAL ACTIVIST BOMBER JAILED" (ARTICLE NOTE: "David Blenkinsop made and placed incendiary devices under lorries belonging to an abattoir and also under the cars of employees of an animal testing laboratory. Oxford Crown Court heard how the devices were used to inflict terror upon the workers during two separate incidents in May and August 2000. Blenkinsop, son of a former Ministry of Agriculture worker, had admitted helping members of the Animal Liberation Front...") (121202)

FOX NEWS.com: "'ECO-TERRORISTS' GO TO EXTREMES" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "As of February of this year, the FBI estimates that the ALF and ELF have committed more than 600 criminal acts in the U.S. since 1996, resulting in damages in excess of $43 million. The FBI said last year that eight of what the law enforcement group deemed "terrorist incidents" during 1999 were attributed to either ALF or ELF.) (ARTICLE NOTE: E.L.F. is the acronym for the Earth Liberation Front. A.L.F. is the acronym for the Animal Liberation Front.) (120302)

CNS NEWS.com: "VIRGINIA SUV ATTACKS NOT EARTH-FRIENDLY, DEALER SAYS" by Marc Morano (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "A total of 25 SUVs recently were vandalized at Universal Ford in Richmond, Va., and police said evidence suggests the eco-terror group Earth Liberation Front (ELF)may be responsible. Local police and the FBI are currently investigating the crimes at Universal Ford and elsewhere in the area, which have occurred over the past few months.") (120202)

GOOGLE Search Term: "EARTH LIBERATION FRONT"

GOOGLE Search Term: "ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT"

WASHINGTON TIMES.com: "ROUNDING THE CORNER ON ECO-TERRORISM?" -Commentary by Kelly A. Stoner (112102)

[madfly]

thanks for these links!

[philman_36]

One of the violent activists, Rodney Coronado, spent four years in prison for fire-bombing a lab at Michigan State University. Heye scoffs at the idea of studying Coronado and his kind.
"These people are not advocating recycling drives," Heye said. "They are talking about arson and tree spiking, and they're hurting peoplez."
Talking about arson? Looks like there is a little committing arson there too.

[Victoria Delsoul]

The university has decided to close the conference and make it an invitation-only affair. The public closure of the conference and tighter security are blamed on the media's "hostile characterization" of the gathering.

Hostile characterization? I would say the media has been pretty fair to them considering they are terrorists.

[madfly]

bttt

[vt_crosscut]

Another update. Last night the Earth First Traveling Roadshow (their name not mine) spoke on campus. They showed about an hours worth of video about how to use lockboxes (metal shields over chains) to chain yourself to gates, desks, vehicles, etc and organizing tree sits. Then their spokesperson spoke for about an hour on how to disrupt logging and other "commercial explotations" of the environment. One of her main points was the importance of overthrowing the government and abolishing capitalism. While she didn't directly incourage people to destroy property, she did suggest that if you felt it was necessary, then it was ok.

They were sponsered by another campus group called Taking Responsibility for the Earth and Environment or TREE. In my opinion, they attempted to keep opposition away because very little advertising was done, most of it word of mouth between like minded people. Fortunately I found out because I know a member of TREE. I alerted a forestry professor, and we were able to get the word out to the forestry department, and about half the people that attended were forestry students, faculty, and professionals.

After the videos and speaker, they had a "folk singer" named David Rovics that performed songs like "Bush is a Moron".

[Victoria Delsoul]

:-)

[madfly]

bttt