Tree-sitting activist finds another perch (yup, Ferret again)

The Eugene Republican Guard ^ | April 29, 2003

[Clinging Bitterly]

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www.registerguard.com | © The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon

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April 29, 2003

Tree-sitting activist finds another perch

Activist Mike McCarthy is up a tree again, this time in front of the Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House near downtown Eugene.

A week ago Monday, he took up residence in a sweetgum tree slated for removal by the nonprofit organization that runs the historic home and museum, which is near Skinner Butte at Third Avenue and Willamette Street.

The city gave the group permission to cut down five trees in order to return the home and its landscaping to its late 1800s to early 1900s condition, said Renee Grube, city recreation services superintendent.

At 6 a.m. this Monday, a team of volunteers for the nonprofit organization cut down three of the trees and left two standing: the sweetgum McCarthy's living in and an incense cedar nearby.

The crew removed a ring of bark around the base of the latter two trees, a technique called girdling that guarantees the trees' death.

McCarthy said he'll stay as long as he feels safe - neighbors and passers-by have been harassing him.

Grube said the city is prepared to wait him out.

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[Clinging Bitterly]

Here 'ya go - Have Fun! Be back after work tonight.

[firewalk]

bttt

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

This person (these persons)obviously have severe mental problems.

[B-Chan]

Some people obsess over baseball, some people obsess over Star Trek, and some people obsess over trees. I don't get it. But as long as they don't commit any crimes against people, property or the peace, I say let tree-huggers hug to their heart's content. There are worse things to be a freak about, I guess.

[annyokie]

These people obviously have no jobs.

[Howeln]

Except that they tend to hug other people's trees. Though yes, as far as protesting it is less bothersome and supports thier cause.

[Lurker]

One property owner with a scoped rifle should end this guys career as a trespassor and thief.

After fair warning to vacate, he should be shot if he refuses to leave.

L

[hellinahandcart]

There was a thread on this yesterday, which I can't find, but it was from a treehugger webite.

They showed pictures of the trees as though they were dead bodies and called the volunteer landscapers "psycho loggers". LOL.

[NittanyLion]

Is this really ferret? I notice he no longer has an account here at FR.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

The state and utility company tried to cut down a five hundred year old oak on my property. They claimed some obscure right to do so, "for the greater good." My lawyer told me they had the right.

I told them that if they touched it I would cut down every single utility pole from my house to their office, some twenty miles away.

They claimed I'd get in trouble. I asked how much it would cost to replace every pole and pointed out that I am truly insane. A compromise was reached.

They agreed to go away and not come back.

I figure five hundred years deserves some respect, whether person animal or tree.

[Hodar]

But as long as they don't commit any crimes against people, property or the peace, I say let tree-huggers hug to their heart's content.

By virtue of trespassing and preventing the loggers from doing their work, they are breaking the law. If someone decides that they don't like where you are having your house built, and they tree sit; you are paying money on land you can't develop, and paying rent on a place to live until you can build your home. It's a case where someone is exercising their rights, and depriving the landowner of his.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[microgood]

After fair warning to vacate, he should be shot if he refuses to leave.

Good idea. They could get the zoo guys out, tranqulize him, and when he hits the ground net him and haul him off to the zoo where he belongs.

As they stroll through the zoo, the child asks "What is a homo environuttotreedwellerstupido sapien". Well, son, they used to be people but something happened and now they are found living in trees around Eugene, Oregon. They live of bark and bugs.

[Welsh Rabbit]

Do you know this guy personally? If so, am I correct in assumming he doesn't have a full-time job?

[Rodney King]

There used to be a freeper named Ferret. He had a bad leg from falling out of a tree once on some kind of protest. Plus, he was friends with that psycho chick that fell out of the tree and died a while back. There is speculation that this is him, but nobody seems to be able to confirm it.

[theDentist]

OK kids. Target practice begins immediately.

Load your BBs!

[Frohickey]

I figure five hundred years deserves some respect, whether person animal or tree.

Its not the 500 year tree that deserves the respect. Its the FACT that YOU OWN your property.

[Grampa Dave]

"Activist Mike McCarthy is up a tree again, this time in front of the Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House near downtown Eugene."

Mike McCarthy is aka Ferret and the several names he has had on Free Republic the past two years.

Mike is a unique person. He loves trees a little too much. Yet he despises the Alf/Elfs and other personal property destroying enviral whackos in the Eugene Area.

[Rodney King]

Thanks. For the record, I always thought he was a nice guy, and wouldn't want to see anything bad happen to hium.

[Grampa Dave]

He is basically a nice guy, and he just loves the trees too much.