I always wonder why someone like this gets so much print.

Are there REALLY that many people out there in 'la la land' also known as 'the good ol USA' that BELIEVE ANYTHING is going to change when Mr. Obama takes the "oath"?

He has already shown that he is only offering a change in the "melanin content" of the skin of the office holder and little or no other changes.

The environment is of little consequence to the 'body politic' since the big money that put them into office are the big business interests that are raping the environment and laughing at those who think they can impact any decisions in DC, with cute little stories about college students who 'muck up the works'---even for a few weeks.

Now, MY people know how to make DC listen (they just lost their voice for awhile, and MAY be getting it back real soon), that is make it cost them $$$$$$. Then, reveal to their constituency that they are fools and muppets and are making the voters pay extra for the privilege of getting "sodomized" with a fence post (un-lubricated please, I just love it when it hurts).

Get real people. The only way to fight those in DC who would sell your environment to the highest bidder is to show them you can make it more expensive to keep on doing the "stupid thing".

For just one suggestion. There will shortly be, thousands of Black water Mercenaries OUT OF WORK, and in need of some more money to supply their 'drug habits'. So put them to work, wreaking havoc on the "big Business' projects that are destroying the environment and using the corrupt legal system controlled by the corrupt members of both houses and the 'big house', and show those sons of bitches that the people mean business about the pollution of the environment, and will stop at nothing (just like the polluters) to prevent it.
Mercenaries worked very well for GW Bush and his 'gang', why not the 'people'; and the Mercenaries, being mostly the lowest scum that society can produce care little where their 'drug money comes from'; you can't have a better combination. Just ask GW Bush, Dick Cheney, Condi, and the others. They are and most likely going to get away with international crimes that would keep the worst offenders in 'admin seg' in the Max Security prison ----"just a few miles from where you live" awake at night from fear.

Now for those who would argue that the polluters would hire their own "Black water scumbags", take into consideration that the polluters could not get the same tax deductions for using Black water that they do using the politicians; so they would not go that far. No insurance companies would cover them, since costs of rebuilding the damage would far exceed the premiums they could collect on the reverse. Soon the 'cost of doing business" would exceed the profits, and the pollutors would be forced to comply with the law----they might not know how to do that exactly, but there may be SOME Americans left who might be able to help them.

If you are stuck with a corrupt society and political system, you cannot beat them, so you might as well join them. And since most Americans are so obviously adept at "keeping quiet" about all the crimes commmited in their name, they are basically no different than the criminals they put into office.

Good luck America, you really need it.

Bush is a TOXIC TERRORIST all over America's Landscape. Change is coming from the bottom up in Appalachia http://www.wisecountyissues.com Hannity's America sure isn't My America.

NativeSon, while you're daydreaming about setting Balckwater operatives on corporate executives with, people like Tim DeChristopher are doing something to change what they see as the problems. Less bitternes, more action.
"So much press" as if the press is lousy with good hearted activists who put their life where their mouth is. I happen to agree with the sentiments expressed in the last two comments--except the tone of cynicism. Hope fortified by action will affect change. Thanks Tim DeChristopher. For the time being we still have to live in world that uses money. I plan on giving some to him for those leases.
Thanks again Tim. For the real hope I can actually believe in.

"His aim is to fend off drilling at least until President-elect Barack Obama takes office and new officials are in charge of the federal Interior Department and Bureau of Land Management."

I'm really interested to know why Tim DeChristopher thinks that any new officials in the Obama administration would fend off drilling. Aren't we really going to have the same old corporate a**holes in charge of everything as usual? Sorry DeChristopher, but dream on! Your aim should be to fend off drilling PERMANENTLY!

Hang in there man ! Obama's going to not only save the environment but I hear that he supports legalizing industrial cannabis.

Terrance Mitchell
Redfield, South Dakota

I commend Tim DeChristopher's courageous civil disobedience regardless of its ultimate impact or outcome.

During his candid and credible interview with Amy Goodman, Tim expressed a thoughtful, intelligent, but ultimately modest rationale for acting. He really did want to "do his bit", arrived on the scene and spontaneously was inspired to throw himself on the works of oppressive power after eschewing more conventional protest, i.e. public demonstration.

I do happen to share the stance of null expectations for Obama. So it may prove "foolish" for Tim to have impulsively complicated his life with grave personal and legal risk merely to kick the ball down the field.

But I emphatically disagree with the judgement that Tim should be mocked or derided for his conscientious and bold actions because Obama may ignore or drop the ball. That's on Obama. It doesn't detract from Tim.

· Yr Obd't Servant

I don't think many juries would convict him. If I were defending him, I'd find a way to subpoena Dick Cheney to testify. After hearing from him any jury would acquit.

Alex

Every time I read about this all I can think is, why did this guy tell them he wasn't serious? All he had to say was, "Sure I'm going to raise the money for these leases. I've got backers. Who are they? That's cofidential!"
The only case they have aginst him is that he had bad intent. And the only evidence of his bad intent are his own statements. He reminds me of my nephew. God love him he is just too honest for his own good. Somebody needs to teach our idealistic youth the value of a little honest BS. It is admirable to go to jail for your principals but not if you don't have to.

I'm 72, retired, and without much money. I still send something to worthwhile projects. This was one of them. He doesn't need that much more for the initial payment. Where are the rest of you? Don't just intellectualize about it. Do something.

Tim DeCristopher is a fearless non-violent eco-warrior! Thanks for the inspiration brother!

Right on! This is what we need a whole lot more of: Monkeywrenching the corrupt insider deals that have been degrading our environment ever since white men set foot on earth! Tear down the system ourselves, don't wait for Messiah Obama to do it, because he ain't gonna....

It most likely would not be a very intelligent move to send this individual money. From the story it appears that he did not take the necessary time to study the approach he should take in order to be most effective. Taking that into consideration since the potential for his actions to result in Fed. Criminal charges being filed against him, any money that readers might send would either go to his defense, or other non related expenses. After one sends money to someone like this you have absolutely no control over what the recipient might do with it. To send a check with a caveat attached would be pointless since the control is lost with the signature on the check.

Young Mr. De Christopher may be a well intending poorly informed college student, just trying to do his part; and as he is quoted "waiting for the new President to be sworn in to make the needed changes. If Mr. Obama did move to make the needed changes, it would have little impact on Mr. De Christopher's pending charges, or his impending trial. If indeed he is what he presents himself to be, he will have many years to outlive his felony conviction and move on to a productive life.

The "look before you leap" advice, being one of the many choice aspects of "Americana" and "home spun wisdom", should be considered here. His ill prepared move might cause the better informed observer to understand that the "process" is conceived and executed by the people in power to prevent others like this young man from interfering with that process.

The fact that people might send him money, could also work against him in that it would disqualify him from receiving the services of a public defender in his up coming legal proceedings, and unless enough money were directed to him, he might not be able to afford the 'best' defense, which would put him in a precarious situation.

On the "brighter side", he most likley would be convicted since his 'intentions' are now public knowledge with this article, and he knew that he was committing an offense when he made his ill advised move. Upon conviction he will either be given probation, or sent to a minimum security facility where he will be able to complete his education at public expense.

As for those who would send him money; that gesture would most likely be a waste of your money; but then it is your money.

The lesson here for everyone should be to find out all of the information you need to make a rational decision about your actions. And; there is most likley no bigger waste of one's time than to be involved in a legal case where you are defending ill advised actions, unless of course it would be the even bigger waste of time than to be serving a prison sentence or even probation for a crime you committed under the influence of ignorance.

In a society that is dominated by the mythology of someone who "sacrificed themselves to save others", it is no wonder that this story was even published, but a closer examination of the sacrifice might reveal that it was pointless and most likely "not worth the ink on the paper" to publish it; since it solves nothing, answers no questions, presents no solutions, gives little true comfort even though it seems to, even if for a brief moment.

They cannot require him to develop the parcels unless they require the other bid winners to develop the parcels as well..

Nice litmus test - I'm sending him some money to hold the leases.

Tim DeChristopher is a national hero along the lines of Daniel Ellsberg and other whistleblowers. We should so honor him, and two funds should be created that people can donate money to -- one for the purchase of the land and the other for his defense.

Unfortunately, I am unemployed (thanks GDub, you have destroyed the economy along with so much else) and cannot donate.

I would suggest that more people read the posts here.

The level of unintelligent response is not surprising, and if these posts are made by the "progressives" then this is a very plausible explanation of how and why the neoconservatives have had so much control for so long.

But if it makes the reader 'feel warm and fussy inside' to send their money to what may very well be another conservative 'shill', then those sending the money will feel better afterwards, the conservatives will feel better afterwards, the 'plaintiff here in this story' will feel better; and nothing will be accomplished which will make the mining/drilling lobby feel good.

I would consider sending a penny, but it would cost .42c to send it.

I'm starting to think that people some just want to push negativity and discouragement onto others. I am kinda sad that you guys would all make comments about this young man was if he made some kind of mistake, or like acting out of passion and commitment to the betterment of the world is foolish. Goodness, what have you guys done to save the earth from development and violation? Anyone that wants to make discouraging remarks about this fella really should look at themselves first. YOU guys were probably busy NOT doing anything,not really caring about Bush giving more land that isn't his away to his buddies,busy TALKING about how someone SHOULD do something, wasting water, using harsh chemicals somehow, or were driving your SUV's while he was risking his ass to try to make a difference. Geez, Howabout giving him a little real respect? We are all in a bind here, and CommonDreams has a membership with the capacity to make real change happen. Why don't we all stop bickering about everything and get along enough to add insight and solution to some of these problems? It's so depressing to read your bickering and intellectual one-upsmanship all of the time. let's embrace positivity this year.