Left Coast Observatory

A thoughtful reader (Jim) had this to add to my rant about domestic terror:

"That ELF group are a bunch of left-wing terrorists! They're highly destructive. Greenpeace also actively engage in violent acts."

Well, what about these guys? Aren't they good examples of Left-wing terror?

"The Earth Liberation Front (ELF) is the collective name for anonymous and autonomous cells that, according to the, now defunct, Earth Liberation Front Press Office (ELFPO), "uses direct action in the form of economic sabotage to stop the exploitation and destruction of the natural environment." Cells have been active in the United States, Canada, Greece, and the United Kingdom where the movement was founded. ELF sympathizers say that it is an eco-defense group dedicated to taking the profit motive out of environmental destruction by targeting and causing economic damage to businesses through the use of direct action. The ELF has committed more than 1,200 acts of vandalism and arson in the U.S., causing more than $200 million in damage."

"The ELF was classified as the top domestic domestic terror threat by the FBI in March 2001. However, supporters and sympathizers of the group usually object to being called terrorists because no human has been injured by any action claimed by the ELF. The ELF's guidelines require that individuals or groups acting on its behalf "take all necessary precautions against harming any animal - human and nonhuman." "

So they are destructive, but do no harm to either animals or humans. Seems to show rather admirable restraint, don't you agree? There is also a fascinating discussion of whether the ELF should be defined as a 'terrorist' organization.

Wikipedia had this to say about Greenpeace:

"Greenpeace is an international environmental organization founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1971. Greenpeace is known for its use of nonviolent direct action campaigns to stop atmospheric and underground nuclear testing as well as bring an end to high seas whaling. In later years, the focus of the organisation turned to other environmental issues, including bottom trawling, global warming and genetic engineering. "

I could find nothing about their ever having killed or injured anyone. Nor do they target anyone for assassination. There was an enlightening discussion of 'eco-terrorism' charges, though.

If these are examples of Left-wing terror, they've got to get their act together, because they've never harmed anyone. Tim Mcveigh probably killed more Americans in one day than all the so-called Leftists ever did.

Jim went on to say:

"I think the reason that people choose violence is that it's effective. The old adage that violence doesn't solve anything just isn't true. It's not the best solution, or a solution that I would ever encourage, but it is effective at accomplishing a goal."

I can find myself agreeing with these sentiments. Violence is not always the best solution, nor should it be the first response to the challenges we face. It is anti-democratic, and thus anti-American. It is the path of the school-yard bully and the career criminal, not one America should travel.