3 August 2012

Jessa Latona and Heather McCabe not going to prison for GMO vandalism

| johnboy
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gmo wheat vandalism

The ABC brings news that the Greenpeace Two have succeeded in their appeals to the better nature of Justice Penfold and won’t be spending time in the pokey for their wheat whacking ways:

Prosecutors told the ACT Supreme Court, a jail term was warranted because the attack was planned in full knowledge the law would be broken and the women had shown no remorse.

But the defence told the court Greenpeace has now paid more than $280,000 in reparations, and both women are now aware of the seriousness of their actions.

Lawyers for the women urged a suspended sentence.

Justice Hilary Penfold agreed, but will not impose a formal sentence until October.

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Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd10:09 am 05 Aug 12

Jethro said :

bigfeet said :

Jethro said :

It would be a crime. You would deserve to go to jail.

You would not be a terrorist.

Was terror created from the act of cutting down some GM crops?
No.
Therefore, no terrorism.

You are confusing a few concepts here.

There is no necessity to create a feeling or “terror” to fulfill the legal definition of “terrorism”

For example, if there were a serial killer in a particular area targeting the elderly, or children, or just anyone at all, it would certainly be create a feeling of terror (or be terrifying) for many people in that area.

But that is not terrorism.

There are offences designed to cover these types of things. It is illegal to kill someone. It is illegal to blow up a building. It is illegal to destroy property.

It is not the act, but it the reason behind it that makes an act terrorism.

I see your point, but disagree.

Terrorism must incorporate the act, not just the ends. Terrorism stands out as a crime amongst crimes. It involves more than the ‘ends’ but the ‘means to the ends’.

The crop destruction was certainly done for political purposes. It (possibly) involved violence (if you include destruction of property as violence).

But, I’m sorry, I just can’t see it falling under the umbrella of terrorism. The fact that these women got let off without a prison sentence suggests that the law doesn’t see it as terrorism either (although, as they say, the law is an ass; on the other hand, Australian law isn’t skewed in favour of anyone who could possibly be classified as a terrorist).

To fall back on Wikipedia… “terrorism is the systematic use of terror… Definitions of terrorism refer only to those violent acts which are intended to create fear.”

Cutting down some plants could fall under a range of crimes, some of which demand lengthy prison sentences. But it is not terrorism. No fear was created. No people felt terrorised. No-one was threatened or put in harm’s way. No-one felt as though they were in harm’s way.

At the end of the day, what happened was some people cut down some plants with a brush cutter. Trespass? Yep. Destruction of property? Yep. Vandalism? Yep. Industrial sabotage? Yep. Prison sentence deserving? I would say so.

Terrorism? No. It doesn’t matter that there was a political motive, otherwise all political protest would be terrorism. It doesn’t matter that there was violence (against a plant), otherwise all violent crimes would be terrorism.

The families of those who were killed in London, Bali, New York, Lockerbie, Belfast, Madrid, Munich, Beslan would argue vehemently against including this crime as terrorism.

I’m sure you feel passionately about what happened. But labeling any crime as terrorism only serves to devalue the word.

Look, I’m sorry, you may feel very strongly that what happened was a serious offense (I’m not agreeing or disagreeing with you on that), but it just is not terrorism. Terrorism is a crime that stands out against other crimes.

If Greenpeace were to choose terrorism as their MO against GM crops, they would have taken steps to create terror. They would have targetted civilians

Well said and agree 100%

Jethro said :

milkman said :

Truthiness said :


no one was injured, no one was killed. sure, some possessions were destroyed but that’s not terrorism, its just childish.

You’re a disgrace. How about I take an ax to your car while it’s unattended – after all, it would just be a bit of childish fun.

It would be a crime. You would deserve to go to jail.

You would not be a terrorist.

Was terror created from the act of cutting down some GM crops?
No.
Therefore, no terrorism.

I’m not suggesting it IS terrorism. I agree that it is a crime, and should be deslt with as such.

PS: Grass isn’t someones home, and its a work site (like a building site I would assume).

Anyone got a pic of the CSIRO notices on all their gates/roads, along with notice given to all property owners that join the site in question for at least 3km?

I ask the above given containment and security failure require conviction of the org and people who ran the test. This had better not been able to expose a national park or anything thats native

so they didn’t kill anything?

if so what did they kill? GMO isn’t a plant – its IP and patient until its given legal rights to grow wild (until then its considered a weed, perhaps a BIO weapon).

I love the bit about breaking the law – where does one submit such evidence? Theres loads of evidence against several ACT government and Federal departments on actions that clearly show ‘full knowledge of breaking the law’.

But which law? Commonwealth law, ACT Government law, or International Monsanto Bribed Law?

Think there’s a drink driving minister who may be in that bag ‘with full knowledge of breaking the law ‘. lets see how his case was managed – oh that’s right, its for the good, that was done for the public at large.

🙂

bigfeet said :

Jethro said :

It would be a crime. You would deserve to go to jail.

You would not be a terrorist.

Was terror created from the act of cutting down some GM crops?
No.
Therefore, no terrorism.

You are confusing a few concepts here.

There is no necessity to create a feeling or “terror” to fulfill the legal definition of “terrorism”

For example, if there were a serial killer in a particular area targeting the elderly, or children, or just anyone at all, it would certainly be create a feeling of terror (or be terrifying) for many people in that area.

But that is not terrorism.

There are offences designed to cover these types of things. It is illegal to kill someone. It is illegal to blow up a building. It is illegal to destroy property.

It is not the act, but it the reason behind it that makes an act terrorism.

I see your point, but disagree.

Terrorism must incorporate the act, not just the ends. Terrorism stands out as a crime amongst crimes. It involves more than the ‘ends’ but the ‘means to the ends’.

The crop destruction was certainly done for political purposes. It (possibly) involved violence (if you include destruction of property as violence).

But, I’m sorry, I just can’t see it falling under the umbrella of terrorism. The fact that these women got let off without a prison sentence suggests that the law doesn’t see it as terrorism either (although, as they say, the law is an ass; on the other hand, Australian law isn’t skewed in favour of anyone who could possibly be classified as a terrorist).

To fall back on Wikipedia… “terrorism is the systematic use of terror… Definitions of terrorism refer only to those violent acts which are intended to create fear.”

Cutting down some plants could fall under a range of crimes, some of which demand lengthy prison sentences. But it is not terrorism. No fear was created. No people felt terrorised. No-one was threatened or put in harm’s way. No-one felt as though they were in harm’s way.

At the end of the day, what happened was some people cut down some plants with a brush cutter. Trespass? Yep. Destruction of property? Yep. Vandalism? Yep. Industrial sabotage? Yep. Prison sentence deserving? I would say so.

Terrorism? No. It doesn’t matter that there was a political motive, otherwise all political protest would be terrorism. It doesn’t matter that there was violence (against a plant), otherwise all violent crimes would be terrorism.

The families of those who were killed in London, Bali, New York, Lockerbie, Belfast, Madrid, Munich, Beslan would argue vehemently against including this crime as terrorism.

I’m sure you feel passionately about what happened. But labeling any crime as terrorism only serves to devalue the word.

Look, I’m sorry, you may feel very strongly that what happened was a serious offense (I’m not agreeing or disagreeing with you on that), but it just is not terrorism. Terrorism is a crime that stands out against other crimes.

If Greenpeace were to choose terrorism as their MO against GM crops, they would have taken steps to create terror. They would have targetted civilians

bigfeet said :

It is not the act, but it the reason behind it that makes an act terrorism.

+1000. Perfectly worded, can we all agree on this definition? Because I’m sick of the specious arguments against it.

DrKoresh said :

bundah said :

Comparing having one’s premises and belongings being destroyed to sabotaging crop experiments is totally absurd and disproportionate.

No it isn’t, sabotaging the work and careers of the researchers involved isn’t a victimless crime, as much as you seem to think it is. Destroying valuable research crops because of an irrational hatred of GMO with no factual basis is absurd and disproportionate.

So the misguided actions of those two young females in destroying research work is comparable to someone destroying your home and belongings is it?Well perhaps we should undertake a poll and see what the majority think shall we? For the record at no stage did i imply that the researchers were victimless so read my comments more carefully before you make ludicrous assumptions if that’s at all possible.

Jethro said :

It would be a crime. You would deserve to go to jail.

You would not be a terrorist.

Was terror created from the act of cutting down some GM crops?
No.
Therefore, no terrorism.

You are confusing a few concepts here.

There is no necessity to create a feeling or “terror” to fulfill the legal definition of “terrorism”

For example, if there were a serial killer in a particular area targeting the elderly, or children, or just anyone at all, it would certainly be create a feeling of terror (or be terrifying) for many people in that area.

But that is not terrorism.

There are offences designed to cover these types of things. It is illegal to kill someone. It is illegal to blow up a building. It is illegal to destroy property.

It is not the act, but it the reason behind it that makes an act terrorism.

milkman said :

Truthiness said :


no one was injured, no one was killed. sure, some possessions were destroyed but that’s not terrorism, its just childish.

You’re a disgrace. How about I take an ax to your car while it’s unattended – after all, it would just be a bit of childish fun.

It would be a crime. You would deserve to go to jail.

You would not be a terrorist.

Was terror created from the act of cutting down some GM crops?
No.
Therefore, no terrorism.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd6:37 pm 04 Aug 12

HenryBG said :

DrKoresh said :

There’s no company on Earth that’s business plan is to be evil to people, and the childishness of people who think like that is really grating.

So Nestle didn’t kill hundreds of thousands of infants by marketing baby formula to stupid poor people who couldn’t afford it?
Exxon isn’t disseminating deliberate disinformation (via Heartland) to enable them to continue to cause global warming which will kill a whole lot of poor people?
The nylon industry didn’t use racism to eliminate their competitors in the Hemp industry?
The Asbestos industries aren’t currently forking out millions in compo on account of knowingly putting their workers in danger?
The Tobacco companies didn’t spend decades paying fakexperts to deny smoking causes cancer?

You need to get real. A lot of people think money is more important than ethics or morals. Monsanto is well up there with the rest of the evil, cynical money-grubbers.

Exactly. Most multinationals are evil just by existing.

bundah said :

Comparing having one’s premises and belongings being destroyed to sabotaging crop experiments is totally absurd and disproportionate.

No it isn’t, sabotaging the work and careers of the researchers involved isn’t a victimless crime, as much as you seem to think it is. Destroying valuable research crops because of an irrational hatred of GMO with no factual basis is absurd and disproportionate.

Truthiness said :

“unlwaful display of force”

so if a cop kicks your head in, that’s not violence because it is lawful?

that definition would also allow all kinds of force, an unlawful display of magnets, an unlawful display of lifting, an unlawful display of flower arrangement?

I put it to you that the lawfulness of an act has no bearing whatsoever on whether said act is violent. the violence of an act is determined by its nature and extent, not its relationship with a given legal system.

had the 911 planes flown into a greenhouse and harmed no one, would the public have been terrorised? terror comes from fear for ones own life, not fear for property.

capitalists love their property and assets, love equating its value and well being to their own. it is crucial to remember though, you are not what you own.

no one was injured, no one was killed. sure, some possessions were destroyed but that’s not terrorism, its just childish.

You are a part of our capitalist society, as evidenced by your ability to contribute to this site. The real childishness is in your hypocrisy at railing against the society that you’re voluntarily a part of. You’re vague example of a cop kicking someone’s head in is stupid. The police don’t run around indiscriminately bashing heads, despite your delusions we don’t in fact live in a Fascist state, and when you compare it to one you demonstrate the naivety of your pseudo-cynical perspective.

Truthiness said :


no one was injured, no one was killed. sure, some possessions were destroyed but that’s not terrorism, its just childish.

You’re a disgrace. How about I take an ax to your car while it’s unattended – after all, it would just be a bit of childish fun.

Tetranitrate said :

Truthiness said :

no one was injured, no one was killed. sure, some possessions were destroyed but that’s not terrorism, its just childish.

So if somebody burns down your home while nobody is inside, it’s just a bit of childish fun?

Comparing having one’s premises and belongings being destroyed to sabotaging crop experiments is totally absurd and disproportionate.

Tetranitrate4:29 pm 04 Aug 12

Truthiness said :

no one was injured, no one was killed. sure, some possessions were destroyed but that’s not terrorism, its just childish.

So if somebody burns down your home while nobody is inside, it’s just a bit of childish fun?

“unlwaful display of force”

so if a cop kicks your head in, that’s not violence because it is lawful?

that definition would also allow all kinds of force, an unlawful display of magnets, an unlawful display of lifting, an unlawful display of flower arrangement?

I put it to you that the lawfulness of an act has no bearing whatsoever on whether said act is violent. the violence of an act is determined by its nature and extent, not its relationship with a given legal system.

had the 911 planes flown into a greenhouse and harmed no one, would the public have been terrorised? terror comes from fear for ones own life, not fear for property.

capitalists love their property and assets, love equating its value and well being to their own. it is crucial to remember though, you are not what you own.

no one was injured, no one was killed. sure, some possessions were destroyed but that’s not terrorism, its just childish.

c_c said :

Jethro said :

I studied terrorism as part of a pol sci unit major at uni. There are many competing versions of what terrorism is.

It is pushing it to include using a whipper snipper to destroy property as terrorism.

You’re confusing means with purpose.

Had the DGSE used some kind of drill to sink the Rainbow Warrior instead of explosives, then an act of state sponsored terrorism (and a terrorist act in France’s own words) would suddenly not be according to such a conception.

Jethro said :

To me eco-terrorism is using violence for environmental purposes.

Violence has a broad meaning.

Oxford defines it as including an unlawful display of force, and many definition take this to include the destruction of property.

Exactly my point. Only a lack-wit would restrict the definition of terrorism to include physical violence against human beings.

Jethro said :

I studied terrorism as part of a pol sci unit major at uni. There are many competing versions of what terrorism is.

It is pushing it to include using a whipper snipper to destroy property as terrorism.

You’re confusing means with purpose.

Had the DGSE used some kind of drill to sink the Rainbow Warrior instead of explosives, then an act of state sponsored terrorism (and a terrorist act in France’s own words) would suddenly not be according to such a conception.

Jethro said :

To me eco-terrorism is using violence for environmental purposes.

Violence has a broad meaning.

Oxford defines it as including an unlawful display of force, and many definition take this to include the destruction of property.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd9:27 am 04 Aug 12

Haha only a lack wit would consider this terrorism.

DrKoresh said :

There’s no company on Earth that’s business plan is to be evil to people, and the childishness of people who think like that is really grating.

So Nestle didn’t kill hundreds of thousands of infants by marketing baby formula to stupid poor people who couldn’t afford it?
Exxon isn’t disseminating deliberate disinformation (via Heartland) to enable them to continue to cause global warming which will kill a whole lot of poor people?
The nylon industry didn’t use racism to eliminate their competitors in the Hemp industry?
The Asbestos industries aren’t currently forking out millions in compo on account of knowingly putting their workers in danger?
The Tobacco companies didn’t spend decades paying fakexperts to deny smoking causes cancer?

You need to get real. A lot of people think money is more important than ethics or morals. Monsanto is well up there with the rest of the evil, cynical money-grubbers.

HenryBG said :

Truthiness said :

csiro are good guys, but GM and Monsanto deserve all the vandalism they get

100%.

Trashing anything Monsanto does is freedom-fighting, not terrorism.

And for all CSIRO’s GM “high protein barley” and whatnot, ultimately, virtually the only GM crap Monsanto foists on farmers is stuff that makes them buy more pesticides.
They *talk* about all the pest-resistant GM stuff, but the bulk of what they sell is the cross-promotional roundup-ready crud.
And they’ve created roundup-resistant superweeds as a result, due to there being no legislation preventing them from allowing their GM crud contaminating the landscape.

I just want to add – we now demonise the stupid idiots who introduced rabbits, foxes, cats and cane toads to Australia. If only somebody had demonised them *at the time*, and in time to make them not do it.

Well, anti-GM activists are the ones who are demonising the right people at the right time. History will be very kind to them, even if the courts weren’t.

Truthiness said :

csiro are good guys, but GM and Monsanto deserve all the vandalism they get

100%.

Trashing anything Monsanto does is freedom-fighting, not terrorism.

And for all CSIRO’s GM “high protein barley” and whatnot, ultimately, virtually the only GM crap Monsanto foists on farmers is stuff that makes them buy more pesticides.
They *talk* about all the pest-resistant GM stuff, but the bulk of what they sell is the cross-promotional roundup-ready crud.
And they’ve created roundup-resistant superweeds as a result, due to there being no legislation preventing them from allowing their GM crud contaminating the landscape.

DrKoresh said :

Jethro said :

Terrorism?

Get a grip folks… this is a crime, undoubtedly, and one that deserved punishment (whatever your view are on Monsanto… personally I think they do some pretty deplorable things, but that doesn’t excuse criminal behaviour).

But it is not terrorism. Blowing up people on trains is terrorism. Gun men holding school children hostage for political purposes is terrorism. Hijacking planes and crashing them into buildings is terrorism. Launching missiles at civilian targets is terrorism. It is offensive to suggest that cutting down some GM crops with a whipper snipper is anything like terrorism.

That’s why I like to distinguish this kind of behaviour as ‘eco-terrorism’.

I think c_c did a good job of illustrating that their organisation, motivation and behaviour is essentially the same as a terrorist organisation.

Now in no way am I comparing the scale of these women’s actions to a violent act of actual terrorism, but the M.O. is essentially the same.

In regards to the outcome of the trial, I can understand why the magistrate was lenient and I don’t necessarily think she shouldn’t have been, I just don’t want GreenPeace to be encouraged to perpetrate further acts like this.

As far as Monsanto goes, capitalism is a dirty business, but the way these people act as though it’s some omnipotent, malicious megacorp is just ridiculous. There’s no company on Earth that’s business plan is to be evil to people, and the childishness of people who think like that is really grating.

To me eco-terrorism is using violence for environmental purposes.

The anti-whalers could possibly fit into this category. I still don’t think this was anything close to an act of eco-terrorism. It’s am was to cause financial damage and destroy intellectual property. No fear for safety or lives was created. It is more akin to industrial sabotage. Still a crime. Still worthy of punishment. Not terrorism.

As for Monsanto – no they don’t go out of their way to be evil. Like all corporations, their aim is to maximise profits. Unfortunately, that can mean they do some pretty evil stuff. Even little things, like suing small-scale farmers whose crops get invaded by Monsanto’s GM crops for ‘stealing’ copyright in order to drive those farmers out of business, is predatory corporate practice and should be abhorred.

Covering up research on the dangerous long-term effects of some of its chemicals, lying to people affected by chemical spills about the long-term effects of exposure, a long history of not cleaning up contaminated soils and waters… all of these things suggest that its pursuit of profits comes at any expense. I’m sorry, but Monsanto has done some pretty evil things and has destroyed many people’s lives.

Monsanto may not aim to be evil, but many of the effects of its actions are evil. People are right to have concerns about Monsanto. It doesn’t excuse criminal behaviour though.

DrKoresh said :

Jethro said :

Terrorism?

Get a grip folks… this is a crime, undoubtedly, and one that deserved punishment (whatever your view are on Monsanto… personally I think they do some pretty deplorable things, but that doesn’t excuse criminal behaviour).

But it is not terrorism. Blowing up people on trains is terrorism. Gun men holding school children hostage for political purposes is terrorism. Hijacking planes and crashing them into buildings is terrorism. Launching missiles at civilian targets is terrorism. It is offensive to suggest that cutting down some GM crops with a whipper snipper is anything like terrorism.

That’s why I like to distinguish this kind of behaviour as ‘eco-terrorism’.

I think c_c did a good job of illustrating that their organisation, motivation and behaviour is essentially the same as a terrorist organisation.

Now in no way am I comparing the scale of these women’s actions to a violent act of actual terrorism, but the M.O. is essentially the same.

In regards to the outcome of the trial, I can understand why the magistrate was lenient and I don’t necessarily think she shouldn’t have been, I just don’t want GreenPeace to be encouraged to perpetrate further acts like this.

As far as Monsanto goes, capitalism is a dirty business, but the way these people act as though it’s some omnipotent, malicious megacorp is just ridiculous. There’s no company on Earth that’s business plan is to be evil to people, and the childishness of people who think like that is really grating.

To me, eco-terrorism is using political violence for environmental ends. Blowing up

Jethro said :

Terrorism?

Get a grip folks… this is a crime, undoubtedly, and one that deserved punishment (whatever your view are on Monsanto… personally I think they do some pretty deplorable things, but that doesn’t excuse criminal behaviour).

But it is not terrorism. Blowing up people on trains is terrorism. Gun men holding school children hostage for political purposes is terrorism. Hijacking planes and crashing them into buildings is terrorism. Launching missiles at civilian targets is terrorism. It is offensive to suggest that cutting down some GM crops with a whipper snipper is anything like terrorism.

Might I suggest you consult Marilyn Friedman’s chapter in Larry May’s ‘War: Essays in Political Philosophy’ among other worthwhile sources – they’re sure to give you a better idea of what terrorism is than episodes of 24 and Flash Point.

I studied terrorism as part of a pol sci unit major at uni. There are many competing versions of what terrorism is.

It is pushing it to include using a whipper snipper to destroy property as terrorism.

Jethro said :

Terrorism?

Get a grip folks… this is a crime, undoubtedly, and one that deserved punishment (whatever your view are on Monsanto… personally I think they do some pretty deplorable things, but that doesn’t excuse criminal behaviour).

But it is not terrorism. Blowing up people on trains is terrorism. Gun men holding school children hostage for political purposes is terrorism. Hijacking planes and crashing them into buildings is terrorism. Launching missiles at civilian targets is terrorism. It is offensive to suggest that cutting down some GM crops with a whipper snipper is anything like terrorism.

That’s why I like to distinguish this kind of behaviour as ‘eco-terrorism’. I think c_c did a good job of illustrating that their organisation, motivation and behaviour is essentially the same as a terrorist organisation.

Now in no way am I comparing the scale of these women’s actions to a violent act of actual terrorism, but the M.O. is essentially the same.

In regards to the outcome of the trial, I can understand why the magistrate was lenient and I don’t necessarily think she shouldn’t have been, I just don’t want GreenPeace to be encouraged to perpetrate further acts like this.

As far as Monsanto goes, capitalism is a dirty business, but the way these people act as though it’s some omnipotent, malicious megacorp is just ridiculous. There’s no company on Earth that’s business plan is to be evil to people, and the childishness of people who think like that is really grating.

Jethro said :

Terrorism?

Get a grip folks… this is a crime, undoubtedly, and one that deserved punishment (whatever your view are on Monsanto… personally I think they do some pretty deplorable things, but that doesn’t excuse criminal behaviour).

But it is not terrorism. Blowing up people on trains is terrorism. Gun men holding school children hostage for political purposes is terrorism. Hijacking planes and crashing them into buildings is terrorism. Launching missiles at civilian targets is terrorism. It is offensive to suggest that cutting down some GM crops with a whipper snipper is anything like terrorism.

Might I suggest you consult Marilyn Friedman’s chapter in Larry May’s ‘War: Essays in Political Philosophy’ among other worthwhile sources – they’re sure to give you a better idea of what terrorism is than episodes of 24 and Flash Point.

Terrorism?

Get a grip folks… this is a crime, undoubtedly, and one that deserved punishment (whatever your view are on Monsanto… personally I think they do some pretty deplorable things, but that doesn’t excuse criminal behaviour).

But it is not terrorism. Blowing up people on trains is terrorism. Gun men holding school children hostage for political purposes is terrorism. Hijacking planes and crashing them into buildings is terrorism. Launching missiles at civilian targets is terrorism. It is offensive to suggest that cutting down some GM crops with a whipper snipper is anything like terrorism.

dungfungus said :

As I understand it, this is a non-jury trial in the Territory court with one judge.
So, what happens if the judge tends to be “a bit green”? The outcome will be justice for the law abiding taxpayers denied.
Why isn’t this matter being held in a Federal Court with a full bench of judges?

Federal Court only ever hears cases with a single judge in first instance. Also the Federal Court’s original jurisdiction would not cover this type of matter, and would always have had to go through the ACT system first.

As I understand it, this is a non-jury trial in the Territory court with one judge.
So, what happens if the judge tends to be “a bit green”? The outcome will be justice for the law abiding taxpayers denied.
Why isn’t this matter being held in a Federal Court with a full bench of judges?

Because it’s a minor matter and if you’re this ignorant why do you bother having opinions?

Even murder would be before a single judge (with jury)

Truthiness said :

hah, terrorist! vandalism is terrorism now? I know you guys have a hard on for piggies, but I didn’t realise you’d been drinking the American kool aid too.

‘Terrorism’ –

“Criminal acts intended or calculated to inflict a state of fear in the general public, a group of persons or particular persons for political purposes.”

(Endorsed by UN General Assembly 1994)

What these two did was a criminal act, intended to instil fear in a group of persons (CSIRO, and more broadly GM researchers) for political purposes.

Now I will accept that some like Ben Soul argue mere destruction of property should not count as terrorism, but what these two did certainly went in terms of scale and intent, well beyond vandalism.

Truthiness said :

hah, terrorist! vandalism is terrorism now? I know you guys have a hard on for piggies, but I didn’t realise you’d been drinking the American kool aid too.

Monsanto are the same bastards who brought us DDT and agent orange, both of which were sold as totally safe. they should have been shut down decades ago for crimes against humanity, but instead they they make up half of Obama’s cabinet. They can not be trusted, and you want to cement their global monopoly over the seed market?

a little vandalism is nothing compared to the destruction already wrought by GM crops, just ask the hundreds of thousands of farmers sued by Monsanto for accidentally getting GM crops in their fields. or the thousands of Indian farmers driven to suicide by Monsanto. or the farm animals sent sterile by GM corn.

csiro are good guys, but GM and Monsanto deserve all the vandalism they get

Which is why all research should be destroyed by those with a contrary view?

Anti-science
Anti-logic

just anti.

This is clearly eco-terrorism. Its not simple vandalism. There is an organised movement, opposed to something, taking ‘direct action’. Absolute zero remorse for their actions – because they still believe they are right.

They belong in the AMC.

Truthiness said :

aha, look at the corporate apologists! oh yes, let’s solve hunger with capitalism! trade will save us all, we can all eat debt!

the entire global economy is built on fraud, the markets are rigged and poor people are deliberately oppressed by the evil empire, as they have been for centuries.

even the most monstrously large and resilient new crop will not save the poor, they are oppressed by design and will suffer an even worse fate under Monsanto’s under-tested patented seed regime.

Were you walking amont the beer swilling capitalists while flogging the Green Left weekly while i was trying to enjoy a pint this afternoon ?

hah, terrorist! vandalism is terrorism now? I know you guys have a hard on for piggies, but I didn’t realise you’d been drinking the American kool aid too.

Monsanto are the same bastards who brought us DDT and agent orange, both of which were sold as totally safe. they should have been shut down decades ago for crimes against humanity, but instead they they make up half of Obama’s cabinet. They can not be trusted, and you want to cement their global monopoly over the seed market?

a little vandalism is nothing compared to the destruction already wrought by GM crops, just ask the hundreds of thousands of farmers sued by Monsanto for accidentally getting GM crops in their fields. or the thousands of Indian farmers driven to suicide by Monsanto. or the farm animals sent sterile by GM corn.

csiro are good guys, but GM and Monsanto deserve all the vandalism they get

Truthiness said :

aha, look at the corporate apologists! oh yes, let’s solve hunger with capitalism! trade will save us all, we can all eat debt!

the entire global economy is built on fraud, the markets are rigged and poor people are deliberately oppressed by the evil empire, as they have been for centuries.

even the most monstrously large and resilient new crop will not save the poor, they are oppressed by design and will suffer an even worse fate under Monsanto’s under-tested patented seed regime.

You’re delusional.

P.S. It’s funny you call the patented seed regime “under-tested”. Maybe if your lot didn’t run around destroying research crops all the time.

Truthiness said :

…..and will suffer an even worse fate under Monsanto’s under-tested patented seed regime.

“under tested” because terrorists destroyed the test site?

screaming banshee7:38 pm 03 Aug 12

Truthiness said :

aha, look at the corporate apologists! oh yes, let’s solve hunger with capitalism! trade will save us all, we can all eat debt!

the entire global economy is built on fraud, the markets are rigged and poor people are deliberately oppressed by the evil empire, as they have been for centuries.

even the most monstrously large and resilient new crop will not save the poor, they are oppressed by design and will suffer an even worse fate under Monsanto’s under-tested patented seed regime.

Shouldn’t you be camped out on top of a tree somewhere?

Yes this is clearly vandalism however given that Greenpeace has paid for the reparations then a suspended sentence would be entirely appropriate.Harsh sentences should be handed out those inflicting serious harm on others not for this type of misguided behaviour.Are there only a handful of people on RA who are measured?

aha, look at the corporate apologists! oh yes, let’s solve hunger with capitalism! trade will save us all, we can all eat debt!

the entire global economy is built on fraud, the markets are rigged and poor people are deliberately oppressed by the evil empire, as they have been for centuries.

even the most monstrously large and resilient new crop will not save the poor, they are oppressed by design and will suffer an even worse fate under Monsanto’s under-tested patented seed regime.

Brindabella said :

I wonder how Greenpeace felt about paying $280,000? Greenpeace ask for donations. I would imagine this is where some of their donation money ends up.

Supporting criminals like this is why I will never give greenpeace a cent.

Truthiness said :

you go girls! smashing up s*** and getting away with it! just a pity it was Csiro not Monsanto! man I wish there were more brave young things ready to fuck s*** up for their beliefs, maybe then there’d be less corporate fascists running everything and the riot act wouldn’t be so full of right wing authoritarian pig lovers!

its not like csiro is lacking funds at this point, maybe people will start realising how strong the opposition to GM really is. and before the capitalist loonies start with their crocodile tears about feeding the poor, if we didn’t perpetuate this bullshit economic paradigm there wouldn’t have to be hungry people. it is only because we are too selfish to take care of humanity and the planet that poverty is even an issue.

f*** Monsanto and gmo, f*** patenting plants and cross breeding species! fuck libor, the reserve banking system and usuary, let’s get the social evolution started!

How about f*** GreenPeace, f*** smug hippies and pretentious, brainless ideologues and f*** eco-terrorism?

How about the fact that without GM food we’re basically sentencing nearly a third of the world’s total population to starvation? What do reckon about them, f*** them too? I don’t know where you get off calling normal people “capitalist loonies”, we’re not running around committing acts of vandalism and eco-terrorism. And you go around spouting gibberish like “if we didn’t perpetuate this bullshit economic paradigm there wouldn’t have to be hungry people” which doesn’t even mean anything when you don’t give it any context like that.

GreenPeace needs to cut the crap with their scare-mongering conspiracy theory bulls***, and stop using something’s “naturalness” as a basis for it’s efficacy or worth. It’s childish, and their refusal to open a rational dialogue on the matter is indicative that their ideology is based on emotion rather than fact.

You hear anti-GM nuts say that it won’t help poor people because of the potential for companies like Monsanto to patent seeds etc. but the fundamental fact is that without genetically modified crops there are 1 billion people who are alive today who otherwise would not be. Take a look at this man and his work:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Borlaug

he’s done more good for the human race than any other person in recorded history, and exposes your dread-locked compatriots for the pot-smoking time-wasters they truly are.

Sorry for the long rant, but the ignorance, the will-full and deliberate refusal of these people to engage rationally on the subject infuriates me.

Truthiness said :

you go girls! smashing up s*** and getting away with it! just a pity it was Csiro not Monsanto! man I wish there were more brave young things ready to fuck s*** up for their beliefs, maybe then there’d be less corporate fascists running everything and the riot act wouldn’t be so full of right wing authoritarian pig lovers!

its not like csiro is lacking funds at this point, maybe people will start realising how strong the opposition to GM really is. and before the capitalist loonies start with their crocodile tears about feeding the poor, if we didn’t perpetuate this bullshit economic paradigm there wouldn’t have to be hungry people. it is only because we are too selfish to take care of humanity and the planet that poverty is even an issue.

f*** Monsanto and gmo, f*** patenting plants and cross breeding species! fuck libor, the reserve banking system and usuary, let’s get the social evolution started!

An attempt at irony or serious mental defect?

Truthiness said :

you go girls! smashing up s*** and getting away with it! just a pity it was Csiro not Monsanto! man I wish there were more brave young things ready to fuck s*** up for their beliefs, maybe then there’d be less corporate fascists running everything and the riot act wouldn’t be so full of right wing authoritarian pig lovers!

its not like csiro is lacking funds at this point, maybe people will start realising how strong the opposition to GM really is. and before the capitalist loonies start with their crocodile tears about feeding the poor, if we didn’t perpetuate this bullshit economic paradigm there wouldn’t have to be hungry people. it is only because we are too selfish to take care of humanity and the planet that poverty is even an issue.

f*** Monsanto and gmo, f*** patenting plants and cross breeding species! fuck libor, the reserve banking system and usuary, let’s get the social evolution started!

Can I come smash the s*** out of you? You’d get your wish, as I’d be standing up for my beliefs.

Truthiness said :

you go girls! smashing up s*** and getting away with it! just a pity it was Csiro not Monsanto! man I wish there were more brave young things ready to fuck s*** up for their beliefs, maybe then there’d be less corporate fascists running everything and the riot act wouldn’t be so full of right wing authoritarian pig lovers!

its not like csiro is lacking funds at this point, maybe people will start realising how strong the opposition to GM really is. and before the capitalist loonies start with their crocodile tears about feeding the poor, if we didn’t perpetuate this bullshit economic paradigm there wouldn’t have to be hungry people. it is only because we are too selfish to take care of humanity and the planet that poverty is even an issue.

f*** Monsanto and gmo, f*** patenting plants and cross breeding species! fuck libor, the reserve banking system and usuary, let’s get the social evolution started!

This should be good…

devils_advocate4:13 pm 03 Aug 12

I support GM research as I believe it is the most likely way we will feed the future starving. And present starving.

I also don’t believe -subject to the defendant’s antecedents – that these people should recieve a custodial sentence, largely because far worse crimes go unpunished.

In a world where prison space is finite, I would rather see the real, violent, dangerous criminals locked up before these ill-informed “activist” idiots.

Truthiness said :

you go girls! smashing up s*** and getting away with it! just a pity it was Csiro not Monsanto! man I wish there were more brave young things ready to fuck s*** up for their beliefs, maybe then there’d be less corporate fascists running everything and the riot act wouldn’t be so full of right wing authoritarian pig lovers!

its not like csiro is lacking funds at this point, maybe people will start realising how strong the opposition to GM really is. and before the capitalist loonies start with their crocodile tears about feeding the poor, if we didn’t perpetuate this bullshit economic paradigm there wouldn’t have to be hungry people. it is only because we are too selfish to take care of humanity and the planet that poverty is even an issue.

f*** Monsanto and gmo, f*** patenting plants and cross breeding species! fuck libor, the reserve banking system and usuary, let’s get the social evolution started!

These f***wits have put the human race back to about the level where you deserve to reside. Research like CSIRO’s leads to greater food supply (through lower costs higher yields etc) thus lowering the trade price and allowing the poorer nations be able to afford more food (feed the poorly).

Being against these knobs is a more liberal than fascist view. Fuck you!

you go girls! smashing up s*** and getting away with it! just a pity it was Csiro not Monsanto! man I wish there were more brave young things ready to fuck s*** up for their beliefs, maybe then there’d be less corporate fascists running everything and the riot act wouldn’t be so full of right wing authoritarian pig lovers!

its not like csiro is lacking funds at this point, maybe people will start realising how strong the opposition to GM really is. and before the capitalist loonies start with their crocodile tears about feeding the poor, if we didn’t perpetuate this bullshit economic paradigm there wouldn’t have to be hungry people. it is only because we are too selfish to take care of humanity and the planet that poverty is even an issue.

f*** Monsanto and gmo, f*** patenting plants and cross breeding species! fuck libor, the reserve banking system and usuary, let’s get the social evolution started!

Brindabella said :

I wonder how Greenpeace felt about paying $280,000? Greenpeace ask for donations. I would imagine this is where some of their donation money ends up.

That, and what appears to be a new Sthil Straight shaft brushcutter, with full chest harness, safety gear, and a set of custom printed overalls.

That brushcutter would have been over $600, and to me, looks new enough to have been bought for this job.

Nice to see that not only are they using donations for crime, they are doing it in the most expensive way they can, no $150 bunnings trimmer here folks, Greenpeace like their Luxury Vandalisim!

These people are eco-terrorists. They deserve to be behind bars.

Thay have shown no remorse, and have not paid for the damage they have caused, that has been paid by Greenpeace.

Serious long term damage has been caused by their criminal acions. I hope the CSIRO and research scientists affected sue for damages.

We should expect that crimes of this seriousness be judged in that manner, instead they have already been advised they wont serve a custodial sentence.

Appalling judicial activism.

How_Canberran said :

An ‘eye for an eye’ I say!

A couple of old C-123 aircraft kitted-out with spray booms and a few thousand litres of a colourful 1970’s defoliant should do the trick. As they swoop low over the lush green Nimbin hinterland, they could even regale the inhabitants with the dulcet tones of Wagner on the PA system.

Think about how your actions would affect others who are not of the same ilk as these two.

At least we know the names of the guilty, these two are a waste of atoms.

How_Canberran2:06 pm 03 Aug 12

An ‘eye for an eye’ I say!

A couple of old C-123 aircraft kitted-out with spray booms and a few thousand litres of a colourful 1970’s defoliant should do the trick. As they swoop low over the lush green Nimbin hinterland, they could even regale the inhabitants with the dulcet tones of Wagner on the PA system.

I have a couple of good mates who work for CSIRO in the GM plant caper. They were outraged by this pointless and idiotic act of vandalism, and I imagine they’ll be even more outraged by this silly judicial decision.

mezza76 said :

G-Fresh said :

What a load of shite. Absolutely no punishment??!?!?! To put a CSIRO project which intends to increase crop yields back 12 months is criminal. To have trespassed on Commonwealth land is criminal. To show remorse to these f***wits who show now remorse for their criminal activity is beyond ridiculous!

Absolutely outraged!

Yea you would be. If you want to send a pregnant woman to jail for a crime where the damages were repaid, and the cost of incarceration is more than the crime… knock yourself out champ.

I’ll look forward to you whinge about paying taxes for having too many people in jail.

that is just plain stupid logic.So someone breaks into your house, damages all your belonging then pays for the repairs, then thats fine? You are kidding yourself mate. With that kind of logic, you would easily find a place on the bench with Penfolds and the rest of her dumb, out of touch mates who call themselves judges.
these women need to be locked up. Greenpeace need to be sent a message as much as every other idiot who stages a dumb protest/political statement like this in the future

Brindabella said :

I wonder how Greenpeace felt about paying $280,000? Greenpeace ask for donations. I would imagine this is where some of their donation money ends up.

GetUp! have a similar business plan.

mezza76 said :

G-Fresh said :

What a load of shite. Absolutely no punishment??!?!?! To put a CSIRO project which intends to increase crop yields back 12 months is criminal. To have trespassed on Commonwealth land is criminal. To show remorse to these f***wits who show now remorse for their criminal activity is beyond ridiculous!

Absolutely outraged!

Yea you would be. If you want to send a pregnant woman to jail for a crime where the damages were repaid, and the cost of incarceration is more than the crime… knock yourself out champ.

I’ll look forward to you whinge about paying taxes for having too many people in jail.

How about every other criminal gets the chance to get out of gaol free by repaying the damages?

This is a joke – these scum criminals should be in prison where they belong.

I wonder how Greenpeace felt about paying $280,000? Greenpeace ask for donations. I would imagine this is where some of their donation money ends up.

G-Fresh said :

What a load of shite. Absolutely no punishment??!?!?! To put a CSIRO project which intends to increase crop yields back 12 months is criminal. To have trespassed on Commonwealth land is criminal. To show remorse to these f***wits who show now remorse for their criminal activity is beyond ridiculous!

Absolutely outraged!

Yea you would be. If you want to send a pregnant woman to jail for a crime where the damages were repaid, and the cost of incarceration is more than the crime… knock yourself out champ.

I’ll look forward to you whinge about paying taxes for having too many people in jail.

I am stunned at this! Penfold should giuve himself an uppercut and resign as he is an ineffective judge. These two should have the book thrown at them as an example to the other “activists”.

“both women are now aware of the seriousness of their actions”

It was premeditated, of course they were aware. This is a federal crime, why are they being charged locally?

What a load of shite. Absolutely no punishment??!?!?! To put a CSIRO project which intends to increase crop yields back 12 months is criminal. To have trespassed on Commonwealth land is criminal. To show remorse to these f***wits who show now remorse for their criminal activity is beyond ridiculous!

Absolutely outraged!

“both women are now aware of the seriousness of their actions”

This statement indicates that when they committed the crime they were of another view so their intent was clearly criminal and this should be the only consideration that a custodial sentence is required as the DPP correctly pointed out.

It is noted that Justice Penfold refers to them as “women” – I thought “defendants” was the correct title – indicating a presupmtion of innocence already.
Greenpeace should be outlawed like the bikie gangs.

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