Sunday, May 06, 2007
Howard points to an article, "The Green Scare" about the prosecution of Rod Coronado, who is accused of being an environmental terrorist. Granted, he used to be, and he's served time for it. But this new prosecution is for giving a speech.
During the question and answer period, he was asked about how he had, back in the day, made a bomb,and he matter-of-factly answered the question.
An electric cricuit and a jug of gasoline and motor oil.
The government alleges that his answer constitutes terrorism.
I've met Rod Coronado and heard him give his speech. He's a very handsome guy, passionate, and wise, in the style of someone who has done time and knows how to stay cool. It was at a local coffeehouse at a fundraising tour for the Huntington 7, who were being prosecuted for direct action against a company that uses vivesection.
I'm not comfortable with his being prosecuted for giving a speech. Not all speech is protected. Had he been saying, "here's how to make a bomb. go have fun!" that would be different. I think, I suspect, that this is a political prosecution intended either for harrasment or to try to compel a plea bargain on charges that otherwise won't stick. I've been there.
What will I do about this? Probably nothing.
What should I do about this?
I'm not sure yet.
Under 18 USC § 842(p)(2)(A), which was introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein and co-sponsored by Sen. Joseph Biden, “It shall be unlawful for any person to teach or demonstrate the making or use of an explosive, a destructive device, or a weapon of mass destruction, or to distribute by any means information pertaining to, in whole or in part, the manufacture or use of an explosive, destructive device, or weapon of mass destruction, with the intent that the teaching, demonstration, or information be used for, or in furtherance of, an activity that constitutes a federal crime of violence.”
Senator Biden lives not too far from Hagley Mills, a museum showinmg how the DuPont Company used to make gunpowder back in the day. If it is reasonably foreseeable that one the many kiddies who take the tour will grow up to be an environmental activist, is Hagley Mills engaged in terrorism? Perhaps I should write Biden a letter. I haven't written to him since 1972, which is around the time I first toured hagley and was studying books like Ecotage, so that I would know how to grow up to be an eco-terrorist, if things turned out that way.
Draft only:
The Honorable Joseph Biden
US Senate
Washington DC 2000
(cc campaign office)
Dear Senator,
This is my first letter to you since 1972. We met briefly in 1975 when we worked together on the Carter campaign. I think you might know my mother, Marion Stewart, from New Castle County Civic League circles. I mention these things since I currently live outside Delaware.
You co-sponsored 18 USC $842 (p) (2) (A).
The Bush admistration is using this law to prosecute an environmental activist, Rod Coronado, for having given a speech. I enclose a copy of an article "The Green Scare" which has more details.
I am writing to ask whether you believe this prosecution is proper, or whether it is outside the intent of congress in passing the legislation.
If the Coronado prosecution is permissible under your law, I would welcome your thoughts about whether Hagley Mills can or should continue to teach how to make high explosives at its Brandywine River museum, since they can be reasonably sure that prospective eco-terrorists can take the tour and learn how to make gunpowder from charcoal, saltpeter and nitrate.
"Under 18 USC § 842(p)(2)(A), which was introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein and co-sponsored by Sen. Joseph Biden, 'It shall be unlawful for any person to teach or demonstrate the making or use of an explosive, a destructive device, or a weapon of mass destruction, or to distribute by any means information pertaining to, in whole or in part, the manufacture or use of an explosive, destructive device, or weapon of mass destruction, with the intent that the teaching, demonstration, or information be used for, or in furtherance of, an activity that constitutes a federal crime of violence.'”
I have met Rod Coronado and believe that he is a sincere and, currently, peaceful advocate for the environment. The Bush adminstration believes that he is a terrorist.
I would like to know your position on whether the law is being properly applied in his case.
Sincerely,
Robbin Stewart esq.
POB xxxxxx
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