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Tim DeChristopher: Taking a Leap and Pointing the Way
Let's consider for a moment the targets the federal government chooses to make an example of. So far, no bankers have been charged, despite the unmitigated greed that nearly brought the world economy down. No coal or oil execs have been charged, despite fouling the entire atmosphere and putting civilization as we know it at risk.
Photo by Daphne Hougard
But engage in creative protest that mildly disrupts the efficient sell-off of our landscape to oil and gas barons? As Tim DeChristopher found out on Thursday, that'll get you not just a week in court, but potentially a long stretch in the pen.
Tim is a hero not because he knew what he was getting into. As his testimony made clear this week, he had no idea at all; his decision to become Bidder No. 70 was about as spontaneous an action as we've ever seen.
And that's what we need more of. More willingness to jump. Not blindly -- if were going to do civil disobedience on a mass scale, and I think we're going to have to, then some careful planning is necessary. But when you get right down to it, there's always going to be a moment when you have to say: time to jump. Time to leave behind the world you've known and take a chance. The furniture of power -- from stone-faced cops to imposing courthouses -- is all designed to make you turn back from that edge.
Tim took that leap. The government is going to try and make an example of him. It will be harder for them if there are more of us.
And who should that us be? Not just, or even mainly, college kids. That's too easy, and it's not fair since they still have first jobs to land, careers to build. Better those of us who have spent our lives pouring carbon into the air. I remember my old and dear friend Doris Haddock, also known as Granny D. We were arrested together a decade ago, in the first instance of civil disobedience on climate change in the country. Compared with Tim we took no real risk -- as it turned out, we didn't even spend the whole night in jail. But I remember the moment when Granny D, handcuffed to me, looked up and said, "I'm 93 and I've never been arrested before. I should have started long ago!"
If you're outraged by what happened to Tim, and if you're inspired, make sure to follow the group he's helped found, Peaceful Uprising. And if you're thinking about laying it on the line, give us your name at ClimateDirectAction.org.
If the feds think this prosecution/persecution will deter us from working for a livable planet, they couldn't be more wrong. Tim was brave and alone. We will be brave in quantity.
Cross-posted from Grist.org.
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16 Comments so far
Show AllThank you, Mr. McKibben for pointing out what "law" means in this bankrupt nation. The same "authorities" that will protect their CIA assigned KILLER in Kabul will go after the far more courageous souls who put their lives on the line in order to tell the world what the abusers of power are up to in the Homeland Security State.
So persons of conscience have their homes broken into by the FBI.
And Julian Assange is assigned enemy of the state status.
And Bradley Manning's head may be served on a platter to the new modern kings.
And Tim DeChristopher will go to jail for doing the right thing...
All the while the greatest trespassers are protected in their increasing trespasses against humanity, decency, global markets, and the entire ecosystem everything rests and ultimately depends upon.
Nice work, sages.
If these are not Upside Down times, one would be hard pressed to find evidence more compelling to suggest as much.
Eloquent indeed!
These harsh penalties are certainly given out to prevent others from contemplating further actions against a nation turned to fascism and in the firm control of corporate America.
It is time, once again, to repeat the words of my good friend and High School valedictorian:
"There comes a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you cannot take part, you cannot even passively take part. And you've got to put your bodies on the gears, and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus. And you've got to make it stop."
Mario Robert Savio
1942-1996
Rest in peace ,Bob, we will certainly take up the torch in your stead.
doubledee -- that quote was amazing and beautiful! I would love to make a copy of that, if that's o.k. Thanks for sharing that.
In the public domain. From a speech given by him in Berkeley,Ca. while leading the Free Speech movement there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Speech_Movement
Siouxrose -- well said! The sad fact is that average Americans don't have the power to create change anymore, unless it is a revolution. I can't even see the point in voting anymore -- our voices are completely drowned out by the big business/ monied class machine. Our only recourse is creative (and often illegal) acts of rebellion. I am completely awed by the courageous acts of individuals like Manning, Assange, DeChristopher, and all whistleblowers. Perhaps if DeChristopher had used the power of the internet to embolden thousands of people to do what he did at the same time, it would've (perhaps) been harder for the government to explain away the actions of so many people. The internet is our biggest hope right now, and we need to organize NOW before the internet gets taken away from us too ... and you can bet it will!
SING: Sometimes one individual MUST act as the spark in a way that erupts so spontaneously that it leaves no room for a premeditated plan. Yet we've seen the "contagion" of that revolutionary spirit because not only do the times demand it, the privileges the elites have allotted to themselves at cost to everyone and everything (nature!) else is so disproportionate as to make revolution inevitable. This is why US tyrants have made such handsome profits selling such heinous weapons (excellet for domestic "unrest" if there is no other "enemy" in sight) to OTHER tyrants. Nice little elite club that spins round the globe... except that when it pushes against justice, decency, fairness, and its own stated values (democracy! freedom!) too far, the rubber band of collective consciousness has no recourse BUT to burst.
DOUBLE DEE: If the compliment was directed at my post, thank you. Stonepig, likewise.
It was and you are welcome.
Very well put SR. And Mr McKibben, as usual, so right on target.
Just asking: How come the General that IS RESPONSIBLE for his troops murdering 9 innocent children gathering firewood in Afghanistan, is not being put on trial? Talk about a double standard! The whore MSM always demonizes Muslims with the moniker " RADICAL MUSLIMS ". Sounds to me like Tim DeChristopher was convicted by a RADICAL American jury! I agree with Mr. McKibben, that Tim was brave alone and we now need to be brave in quantity.
And don't forget all the graft and corruption surrounding defense contractors such as Xe(Blackwater by any other name) who are found guilty of corruption but are still awarded multi-billion dollar contracts by other agencies and the State department
Public opinion waves have gotten smaller over the past 10 years (see poll below). The corporate MSM have done the job they were paid to do. But, like the weather, public awareness and opinion can change rapidly. Ever heard of a sneaker wave?
If this young man, Tim DeChristopher, is an example of future activism, I'd say ......
Surf's up, grab your boards!
Gallup poll, March, 2011:
"In 2003, 61% of Americans said increases [in the earth's temperature] were due to human activities -- in line with advocates of the global warming issue -- while 33% said they were due to natural changes in the environment. Now, a significantly diminished 50% say temperature increases are due to human activities, and 46% say they are not."
Here is why I agree with McKibben.
In 2006, I walked into the Portland BLM office, I was curious about the bidding process. At that particular time I found that Exxel Energy, a Canadian Corporation had won the bidding process on significant acreage here in the Pacific Northwest.
http://www.blm.gov/or/landsrealty/files/20060914_SALERESULTS.pdf
The ink on the basement bargain deal probably wasn’t even dry before Exxel Energy released to investors this:
Found 9/20/06
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2006/20/c8284.html
Attention Business/Financial Editors:
Exxel Energy Corp. Provides Update on Activities in Columbia River Basin VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - Exxel Energy Corp. (TSX-V: EXX)
(the "Company") announces the following lease update and report on activity in
the Columbia River Basin ("CRB"). Exxel Energy (USA) Inc. ("Exxel"), a wholly
owned subsidiary of the Company, recently acquired additional oil and gas
mineral rights in the basin, increasing Exxel's total leasehold position in
the CRB to approximately 325,000 net acres. The leasehold interests are
undeveloped and Exxel's working interest is 100 percent. Exxel intends to
continue to actively acquire additional acreage to further consolidate its
position within the CRB. The Company is currently reviewing its options for
the development of its substantial acreage in the basin.
By my calculations and theirs, it seems that they are in violation of this:
Federal oil and gas lease acreage limitations: Qualified individuals, associations, or corporations may only participate in a competitive lease sale and purchase Federal oil and gas leases from this office if such purchase will not result in exceeding the State limit of 246,080 acres of public domain lands and 246,080 acres of acquired lands (30 U.S.C. 184(d )). For the purpose of chargeable acreage limitations, you are charged with your proportionate share of the lease acreage holdings of partnerships or corporations in which you own an interest greater than 10 percent.
More of what this Corporation is up to in the Columbia River Basin here:
http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=47580
http://www.blm.gov/or/landsrealty/oilandgas.ph
DeChristopher is a courageous man, he took a stand.
McKibbon is worth his weight in Saudi crude because he hasn't given up, still thinks the situation can be turned around, and has plans he believes can do so. I personally think it's already way too late in the game to stop the avalanche, but I'd be glad to have McKibbon and people who think like him to prove me wrong.
Thanks to Bill for staying on this. I haven't seen yet whether Tim will be able to appeal (I hope so), and we can support him in that financially, but in the meantime I'm suggesting that we all start lobbying Obama for a presidential pardon. Would be a great way for Obama to stand up a little on climate change, without having to run it by the Tea Party that's busy dismantling everything the government does to study or stop global warming. See http://tinyurl.com/6c78bpf
0 would have to care.
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