FBI claims environmental group doubles as terror group


Source: AP, At: nandotimes.com
Category: Environment
Business: All IP




Comments:
WASHINGTON (February 12, 2002) - The FBI's top domestic terrorism officer said Tuesday that a radical environmental group that has carried out 600 attacks since 1996 has become the largest and most active U.S.-based terrorist group.

But a House committee's efforts to shed light on the Earth Liberation Front and its companion, the Animal Liberation Front, were frustrated when former ELF spokesman Craig Rosebraugh refused to answer questions from members of Congress.

"I'll take the Fifth Amendment," Rosebraugh said more than 50 times to questions ranging from whether he helped produce an ELF training film to who was paying for his attorney.

Rosebraugh was subpoenaed to testify at the request of Rep. Scott McInnis, R-Colo., chairman of the House Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health.

Rosebraugh has said he relayed anonymous messages on ELF's behalf from 1997 until he quit last September, but had no firsthand knowledge of any attacks.

FBI expert James F. Jarboe said that since 1996, the ALF and ELF have caused $43 million in damage in more than 600 attacks, ranging from spray-painting buildings and breaking windows to firebombing fur farms, research centers and a ski resort.

Nobody has been killed in an ELF or ALF attack, but McInnis said it is wrong to think of the ecoterrorists as "nature-loving hippies" or misguided youths.

"These are hardened criminals," he said. "They are dangerous, they are well-funded, they are savvy, sophisticated and stealthy, and if their violence continues to escalate, it is only a matter of time before their parade of terror results in a lost human life."

In a report the ELF and ALF issued last month, the groups claimed responsibility for 67 illegal actions in 2001, including burning down a $5.4 million horticulture building at the University of Washington.

In 1998, the ELF claimed responsibility for an arson attack at Vail Ski Resort that did $12 million in damage.

Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., said he understands that die-hard environmentalists are frustrated with some of the Bush administration's policies, but ecoterrorism hurts the cause by making it harder for him and others to promote more environmental-friendly policies.

To read "Craig Rosebraugh's Written Testimony At "Eco-Terrorism" Hearing"
Click on the doclink: <http://www.protectcivilliberties.com/written%20testimony.pdf>

I'd like to find out more on this and this guy in general.

So far what I've dug up is that this "mouthpiece" is freaking scary.

http://www.cffar.org/vandalwatch/faces/rosebraugh.html

http://www.furcommission.com/debate/words6.htm

http://www.earthliberationfront.com/news/2001/010405m1.html

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/2020/2020/GMAB_010427_elf.html

These people have nothing on us. That's for sure. Maybe we should start firebombing offices of people like CBD etc... Like that would solve anything. :rolleyes:

What I don't get is that the things these people have done don't do anything short of creating or expanding the industries they are against. If you burn down a subdivision for urban sprawl, then more trees need to be harvested and more mining needs to be done to make the metal parts.

If you burn down a ski resort, again more lumber and mining. Yeah like a little fire is going to stop a billion dollar industry. Especially with good insurance. :rolleyes:

But the most amazing part is thet these extremeist don't seem to get it. They are only attacking the residual effect of what the real problem is (if you think that way) and that's too many people chewing up the resources of the earth. Less people less mining, less people less logging, less people, less sprawl and on and on. If they want to do something personally to save the planet, spay or neuter themselves and their children!

PREACH IT, MY BROTHER

Talk about somebody who is overdue for a "Dirt Nap"........:rolleyes:

So, they should go on mass killing sprees!!! :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Originally posted by Belly Dragger


What I don't get is that the things these people have done don't do anything short of creating or expanding the industries they are against.

But the most amazing part is thet these extremeist don't seem to get it. They are only attacking the residual effect of what the real problem is

but what it does do is keep their group and their cause in the media. and as they say "no publicity is bad publicity". I'd be willing to help fund the "spay and neuter eco-terrorist" foundation. where do I send the check:flipoff2:
________
The Cigar Boss (http://thecigarboss.com/)

Originally posted by Belly Dragger
I'd like to find out more on this and this guy in general.


Hey belly, here's their on-line handbook:

http://www.sabotage.org/handbook/

It's pretty interesting reading, and they have to know a whole lot about the mechanics that they hate so much, to do what they do. I actually know a guy who was active in this stuff in the past, in a very small way. IMHO, its about as lunatic and counterproductive as any other kind of terrorism. And, oh yeah, only a very small percentage of environmentalists favor this kind of stuff.