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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[Jhoffa_]

Hey, is this "our" Ferret?

You know, the FReeper? For sure?

[Grampa Dave]

It has to be our Mike the Ferret, up a tree again.

[Jhoffa_]

I always knew he was a greenie flake..

But I always liked him all the same, even if he was wrong.

[sauropod]

Is this the right guy? What is the current screenname?

[1rudeboy]

I propose that you consult with an attorney before you suggest that sort of an action.

[sauropod]

Ferret and i have had some rounds in the ring...

[Grampa Dave]

I don't think that he has a current screen name.

This is Mike, aka, Ferret!

[ThanhPhero]

I almost miss him. He was, on occasion, able to write coherently and could argue with some logic for short space, albeit with atrocious spelling.

[ThanhPhero]

am I correct in assumming he doesn't have a full-time job?

He was running for mayor in some Oregon town maybe 3-4 years ago. I never knew how it came out. I suspect the voters balked at doing city business in a tree, though.

[Carry_Okie]

Yep, that's our ferret.
Nope, I won't tell you the handle (unless he says it's ok).

[farmfriend]

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

I like this. Climb a tree, guarantee it's death. It would stop them for sure. Calling Pacific Lumber...

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Don't these enviro-freaks have jobs?

[Pompah]

They tend to hug other peoples trees.
Yup.! I don't have a problem with some Yayhoo wanting to hug a tree.

However, they should be required to purchase said tree. get,and hold legal title to it. And then just hug the damn thing all they want.

[etcetera]

Maybe this is a good way to meet leftist, tree-hugging chicks? Are there such things as tree groupies?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

That is a lot of love for a treee, and I like trees!

[editor-surveyor]

As far as I know Mike is still 'hobbb'

[Grampa Dave]

Nobody by that name.

[joyce11111]

I am so glad I live across the river in Springfield.

Every morning when I read the red guard...I get soooooooooo mad, especially on the editorial pages...

So I must only read the funnies and the comics. For my sanity,

[sauropod]

You're kidding. You won't help me out here even if i am on your side?

WTF is your name, DeVillepen?

[Slings and Arrows]

Load your BBs!

Make it .177 caliber pellets and you're on. I love pellet airguns, but most BB guns are about as accurate as a garden hose.