Back in the 80's, those of us in the environmental movement knew this moment was inevitable

[villager]

I was doing organizing with an environmental group deemed to be "too radical" by, well, the corporations, and the get along-go along mainstream enviro groups.

We did a lot of (seemingly -- briefly?) effective street theater, protests, civil disobedience, etc. We attended hearings, challenged forest harvest plans, etc.

As we grew more effective, the backlash came -- there'd be death threats in our PO Boxes (this was right before the internet era, so it was still surface mail and phone trees), on our answering machines, etc. One anti-eco version of today's "Free Republic" was called "The Sahara Club."

They would publish license plate numbers of their perceived "enemies" in their newsletters, etc. One time, after a public debate, I had to take deliberate evasive action, so they wouldn't follow me to my own car.

There came a point where we had to be always "on guard." Which I think, is part of what they wanted.

The armed constabulary was generally more on their side than ours -- I still remember the Calif. Wildlife officers winking approval at the pro-hunting types during one hearing on mountain lion status...

Few "urban liberals" knew the extent of it, really -- no one in mainstream "news" was really covering it, certainly there was no DU, and the story that those of us claiming global warming was real, and coming for you (among other issues) were all too "extreme" was generally swallowed by the Great Middle, who never wanted to appear too "unreasonable," doncha know...

But the viciousness of the anti-environmental right was startling, and one knew if it wasn't called out then, and stopped, it would just metastasize -- and it has: We've had Oklahoma City since then, the Sahara Club types became the militia guys of the 90's (and of now), and we've thrown venomous rightwing media into the mix -- Fox "news," Rushbag, et al -- ratcheting up the threats.

so here we are -- everyone is, in a sense, a "crazy radical" now -- certainly in the eyes of those who would do us harm. In other words, "distancing" oneself from those "crazy hippies" didn't really work, nor did "being reasonable," since everyone is on the right wing enemies list now...

Welcome to my 80's. This is what it felt like.

[omega minimo]

1. and after 30 years of hatespeech radio and Faux news, the crazies are even crazier now and more

dangerous.

[villager]

3. yes -- if anything, they've been amped up on "hate steroids," since then...

[omega minimo]

crazymaking. it's no wonder they're flippin' out. cognitive dissonance poisoning

[pleah]

2. K&R

[glitch]

4. For a good example on how far they can and do go:

edit: and they're still trying to assassinate her character. http://www.fojb.org/

http://www.albionmonitor.com/bari/default.html

JUDI BARI VS FBI TRIAL COVERAGE FREE!
FBI agents and Oakland Police officers are charged with false arrest, illegal search and seizure, and conspiracy against Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney by smearing them and the Earth First! environmental movement in the aftermath of the the May 24, 1990 pipe bomb explosion

Judi Bari recorded a videotape deposition a month before her death

+ Juror Talks about the Bari vs. FBI Trial
Police and FBI witnesses "absolutely were lying"

+ Jury Awards $4.4 Million Damages to Bari and Cherney
For free speech violation, false arrest, unlawful search by FBI and Oakland Police

+ Jury Begins Fourth Week of Deliberations
One of the longest jury deliberations in memory (UPDATED JUNE 9)

+ Police, FBI Call For Mistrial After Rally
Judge admonishes Serra for rally comments, bars legal team from observing jurors

+ The Case Goes to Jury
Federal lawyer opposes letting jury read Consititution

+ Tony Serra Makes The Case
Famed San Francisco criminal defense lawyer closing arguments

NEW! After 12 Years, Judi Bari Has Her Day In Court
Jury moved to tears by video deposition

+ Why the Bari Trial is Historic
Progressive leaders speak out

+ Darryl Cherney Testifies
Laughter, intense questioning mark testimony

+ "I Relied On The FBI -- They Were Experts"
Testimony of Sgt. Michael Sitterud

+ FBI, Police, Weren't Interested In Taking Statements
Bari, Cherney, and supporters eager to cooperate and help authorities find the bomber

+ Jury Examines Judi Bari's Bombed Car
Jury, reporters get rare look at crucial evidence

+ After 12 Years, Judi Bari Vs. FBI Trial Begins
Long-awaited trial begins in Oakland

[villager]

5. Exactly! They blew her up, then blamed her for blowing herself up!

But the bombing -- along with the FBI entrapment case against Earth First! -- had the desired effect of ending that era of "radical" environmental politics...

[glitch]

6. That they did.

These despicable people are STILL trying to destroy her (first link). What a loathsome cowards.