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ELF or FBI? |
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by Boston-Cambridge Greens
Email: boston-cambridge-greens (nospam) usa.net (unverified!) |
13 Jan 2001
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Many of the ELF members are well intentioned, but they're playing right into
the hands of the corporate government and its media. It doesn't take a genius
to see the obvious (or does it?), especially regarding ELF's timing in regard
to the coming oil-eco war in Alaska (and elsewhere). |
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See also:
www.greens.org
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Keeping Some Perspective |
by Garrett Brinton
gbrinton1 (nospam) aol.org (unverified) |
15 Jan 2001
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Re: "FBI or EFL"
When folks write that that the Earth Liberation Front folks are "playing right into the hands" of the FBI and corporate forces, I would like to point out that this has ALWAYS been the charge made against radical activists, from the Abolitionists to the Wobblies to the Freedom Riders to the Peace Movement to Earth First!.
While popular with the "Radical Goals through Mainstream Tactics" crowd, we must ask: has this charge shown itself to be historically accurate? Did Abolitionists REALLY set back the cause of freedom? Did the Wobblies (the International Workers of the World) REALLY set back the labor movement? Did the Freedom Rides REALLY set back the civil rights movement? Did the Peace Movement REALLY extend the Vietnam War? Didd Earth First! REALLY lead to MORE destruction of habitat? Of course not!
Let me be clear: I personally do NOT approve of arson as a political tactic (no matter how careful you are there's always a chance of harming innocent firefighters or bystanders).
But I wouldn't be so quick to judge the ELF folks.
From what I have read about their philosophy, it appears that they are not only "well-intentioned" (another phrase popular with the "don't rock the boat" crowd)-- they also appear to be well aware of the negative effect that their actions may have upon people who like to think of themselves as environmentalists, but may be turned off by any actions that go beyond the "write to your Congressman" variety.
They simply contend that both the concrete results of their actions (destroying property and impacting the "bottom line" of the offending corporations/developers) and the symbolic effect (demonstrating that people don't have to blindly submit to the "legal" destruction of their environment) are worth the risk of alienating the marginally environmental-minded.
Given the current trajectory of humankind's impact on the Earth, should it surprise anyone that some folks have decided to up the ante?
I won't be out torching any buildings today, but I also won't be questioning the intelligence (with the "it doesn't take a genius" crack) or strategic acumen of those who choose this risky -- but in some ways undeniably effective -- approach. It may turn out that in the long run their actions will be shown as a key element in galvanizing our own supporters, not just our opponents.
Respectfully,
Garrett Brinton.
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Keeping Some Perspective |
by Garrett Brinton
gbrinton1 (nospam) aol.org (unverified) |
15 Jan 2001
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Re: "FBI or EFL"
When folks write that that the Earth Liberation Front folks are "playing right into the hands" of the FBI and corporate forces, I would like to point out that this has ALWAYS been the charge made against radical activists, from the Abolitionists to the Wobblies to the Freedom Riders to the Peace Movement to Earth First!.
While popular with the "Radical Goals through Mainstream Tactics" crowd, we must ask: has this charge shown itself to be historically accurate? Did Abolitionists REALLY set back the cause of freedom? Did the Wobblies (the International Workers of the World) REALLY set back the labor movement? Did the Freedom Rides REALLY set back the civil rights movement? Did the Peace Movement REALLY extend the Vietnam War? Didd Earth First! REALLY lead to MORE destruction of habitat? Of course not!
Let me be clear: I personally do NOT approve of arson as a political tactic (no matter how careful you are there's always a chance of harming innocent firefighters or bystanders).
But I wouldn't be so quick to judge the ELF folks.
From what I have read about their philosophy, it appears that they are not only "well-intentioned" (another phrase popular with the "don't rock the boat" crowd)-- they also appear to be well aware of the negative effect that their actions may have upon people who like to think of themselves as environmentalists, but may be turned off by any actions that go beyond the "write to your Congressman" variety.
They simply contend that both the concrete results of their actions (destroying property and impacting the "bottom line" of the offending corporations/developers) and the symbolic effect (demonstrating that people don't have to blindly submit to the "legal" destruction of their environment) are worth the risk of alienating the marginally environmental-minded.
Given the current trajectory of humankind's impact on the Earth, should it surprise anyone that some folks have decided to up the ante?
I won't be out torching any buildings today, but I also won't be questioning the intelligence (with the "it doesn't take a genius" crack) or strategic acumen of those who choose this risky -- but in some ways undeniably effective -- approach. It may turn out that in the long run their actions will be shown as a key element in galvanizing our own supporters, not just our opponents.
Respectfully,
Garrett Brinton.
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B-C Greens are full of shit! |
by bullshit detector
(No verified email address) |
15 Jan 2001
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From all accounts, the "B-C Greens" does not exist. It is one person with an overactive imagination. Therefore, I find it a bit laughable that this post claims that "numerous members" of this fictious group were "eavily involved with Earth First!" in a pathetic effort to lend credibility to their accusations.
Playtime is over. Give it up. |
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Thanks for the background, BS Detector |
by Garrett Brinton
gbrinton1 (nospam) aol.com (unverified) |
15 Jan 2001
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Thanks for the background -- I'm new to the site and hadn't seen the previous bullshit that this "group" was promoting. Keep on detecting!
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