From Democracy Now
In South Dakota activists with the environmental group Greenpeace scaled the Mount Rushmore National Monument Wednesday and hung a banner urging President Obama [to] take the action on global warming. The banner was hung next to the carved mountain face of Abraham Lincoln. It reads quote “America honors leaders, not politicians: Stop Global Warming.” The action came as Obama was in Italy for talks with other world leaders of the G8 summit. The group of 11 Greenpeace activists were arrested and charged with trespassing. They each face up to six months in prison.
It's hard to believe that environmental activism in South Dakota made news around the world. I can't say that I support everything that Greenpeace does or stands for, but I like this action. They felt that they needed to engage in civil disobedience to make a point. Their actions in South Dakota combined with their other advocacy efforts, combined with the movement to care for the environment have led to significant policy changes and new legislation aimed at reducing pollution, expanding sustainability, and assisting those most hurt by climate change.
I think the decision to engage is civil disobedience in never one people should take lightly; people must consider safety and ethics, and wisely discern the best course of action. If this does not occur, civil disobedience can be counterproductive or even immoral.
Last year six Greenpeace activists painted a smokestack in the United Kingdom as part of an effort to stop the expansion of coal plants. They were also arrested and charged, but they were found not guilty.
They were accused of causing £30,000 (US$53,000) of criminal damage to the Kingsnorth smokestack from painting. The defence was that they had a 'lawful excuse' - because they were acting to protect property around the world "in immediate need of protection" from the impacts of climate change, caused in part by burning coal.
Nick Broomfield directed this fascinating documentary of their story. Do you think the actions of either group of activists was justified?
Inspiring
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think part of what makes me think here is what if in their climbing they damaged Mt. Rushmore? Maybe its just the movies that make me think its possible, but I know that Stone Mountain has had some close calls with parts falling off. Would it have been worth it, if they had to sacrifice part of Abe's nose for the process?
ReplyDeleteI think it made a big point, and that is clear. Maybe I just look too much at the risk, but I'm not sure if the benefit/risk analysis on the Mt. Rushmore piece is worth it.
I do wonder something from you Mr. Kroger. I've enjoyed reading your blog and always been inspired by your passion. How do you pick which issues to tackle. I don't mean in a big general way--but you seem passionate about so many different things--how do you personally select which issues to act on and not act on? I mean, I see it as impossible to act on everything--what is it that makes an issue in your life one for which you are ready to act?
Thanks for the comments and questions Emily.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point on the cost/benefit/rick analysis of this action. Physically things turned out "well" for Greenpeace and I presume they assumed they would. But Mt. Rushmore's a big deal. I would risk certain things, but not this.
I think what I say and do is the result of at least three things:
1)Discerning God's will (which isn't always clear, & is sometimes pretty broad)
2)Following my passions as they naturally arise from my experiences; there's much in the world that stirs me up and moves me, especially the cause of the underdog
3)Connecting the first two to where I see not only needs, but also gaps.
Speaking broadly, for me that's meant trying to bring and live the best values & theologies of conservative and liberal Christians. Emily there's a fire in me and it just gets bigger--hopefully wiser too. I know I can't do everything; thank God for the different parts of the Body of Christ. Yet, I do struggle with the tensions of family and friends, with the never ending physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of so many people.
What about you?
Its a question I've been asking myself more and more. Each time I read your blog or hear about the big things you do, I ask myself again. Honestly, its a question that I've wanted to ask you for a while.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I pick what I move forward with. I take what my natural fires are and I pray and hope that God's leading me in the right directions. I take a lot of time having discussions with individuals--youth, adults, people in line at the grocery store. I guess I figure if I inspire one person a day, a week, a month, a year then I've done something good.
I admire your fire and your willingness to jump in and help, and wonder if my own sense of waiting and watching, my sense of planning and checking the costs/benefits too often amounts to inaction.
But then I remember that God made us each differently. God made me to plan and move more slowly--to weigh the options and use my internal magical formula of risk/benefit/good/potential trouble. God made you to move and do. God made me to look at micro-level change--inspire others to make change one on one. God made you to go storm Washington and Atlanta and Northern Ireland, calling attention in loud and long ways. Not saying that either of us have to choose one or the other. Not saying that either of us do one and don't think of the other--just saying that each default isn't necessarily bad.
I love reading your blog and admire what you do--even if I'm not always sure I agree with every sentence. I'm so proud that God's made so many different ways to serve and love and live out what it means to be Christian. Never let the fire go out!!!
oakley sunglasses, cheap ugg boots outlet, louis vuitton handbags, burberry outlet online, christian louboutin outlet, ray ban sunglasses, michael kors outlet online, christian louboutin, jordan shoes, nike outlet, louis vuitton, ray ban sunglasses, polo ralph lauren, michael kors outlet online, longchamp handbags, louis vuitton outlet online, michael kors outlet, cheap oakley sunglasses, tiffany and co, ugg australia, nike air max, christian louboutin shoes, longchamp outlet, michael kors handbags, michael kors outlet store, louis vuitton outlet, oakley vault, michael kors outlet online sale, kate spade outlet online, burberry outlet online, nike free, ugg boots clearance, oakley sunglasses, red bottom shoes, louis vuitton outlet, chanel handbags, cheap oakley sunglasses, longchamp outlet online, gucci handbags, ray ban outlet, cheap ugg boots, polo ralph lauren outlet, replica watches
ReplyDeletenorth face pas cher, coach outlet store online, coach purses, ralph lauren uk, true religion outlet, burberry pas cher, north face, hollister uk, longchamp pas cher, coach outlet, mulberry uk, oakley pas cher, nike free, air max, air max pas cher, tn pas cher, kate spade outlet, ralph lauren pas cher, scarpe hogan, nike roshe run, nike free pas cher, nike blazer pas cher, lacoste pas cher, timberland pas cher, nike air max, louboutin, true religion jeans, ray ban uk, nike roshe, converse pas cher, air jordan, ray ban pas cher, abercrombie and fitch, hollister, hermes pas cher, nike air max, nike air force, michael kors uk, michael kors canada, guess pas cher, michael kors, new balance pas cher, coach outlet, longchamp, true religion outlet, true religion, lululemon outlet online, sac vanessa bruno, vans pas cher, michael kors outlet online
ReplyDeletenorth face jackets, hollister clothing store, iphone 6s plus cases, insanity workout, iphone cases, nike air huarache, ghd, north face jackets, valentino shoes, vans outlet, soccer jerseys, birkin bag, wedding dresses, hollister, nike roshe, s6 cases, ralph lauren, abercrombie and fitch, iphone 5s cases, iphone 6 plus cases, oakley, herve leger, louboutin, lululemon outlet, reebok shoes, iphone 6 cases, new balance outlet, iphone 6s cases, jimmy choo shoes, bottega veneta, nike trainers, nfl jerseys, soccer shoes, nike air max, babyliss, timberland boots, mont blanc pens, asics shoes, celine handbags, longchamp, ferragamo shoes, ipad cases, beats headphones, mac cosmetics, baseball bats, p90x workout, instyler ionic styler, giuseppe zanotti, chi flat iron, mcm handbags
ReplyDeletewedding dress, canada goose, links of london uk, converse shoes, doke gabbana outlet, canada goose pas cher, juicy couture, ugg, canada goose outlet, pandora charms, juicy couture outlet, ray ban, canada goose outlet, ugg boots, ugg, canada goose outlet, moncler, toms outlet, moncler, moncler, canada goose, sac louis vuitton, louis vuitton, gucci, barbour jackets, converse, karen millen, swarovski jewelry, moncler outlet, moncler, louis vuitton pas cher, ugg soldes, moncler outlet, pandora uk, canada goose, barbour, air max, replica watches, abercrombie, pandora jewelry, swarovski uk, canada goose, hollister canada, montre femme, sac lancel, moncler, marc jacobs handbags, louis vuitton canada, coach outlet, pandora jewelry, moncler, thomas sabo uk
ReplyDeletemichael kors outlet online
ReplyDeletepolo ralph lauren outlet
louis vuitton handbags
coach factorty outlet
nike huarache white
ed hardy outlet
nfl jerseys
ugg boots outlet
louis vuitton outlet
asics shoes for women
louis vuitton bags
adidas wings
gucci handbags
ugg on sale
louis vuitton outlet stores
louis vuitton outlet
fitflop clearance
michael kors outlet online
jordan retro 13
michael kors bags
louis vuitton bags
coach factory outlet
ray ban outlet
michael kors outlet online
louis vuitton handbags
coach outlet online
coach outlet
cheap toms
michael kors outlet online
mont blanc mountain
louis vuitton handbags
michael kors handbags
ugg outlet
kobe 8
retro jordans 13
hollister clothing store
michael kors outlet
kate spade outlet
oakley vault
michael kors outlet
20160318chenzhen
Good post and I support it very much. By the way, anybody try this MiniTool Power Data Recovery? I try it and I think it is good.
ReplyDeletenike roshe one
ReplyDeletelacoste polo shirts
longchamp outlet
yeezys
cheap jordans
real jordans
falcons jersey
michael kors factory outlet
michael kors outlet
timberland shoes
coach factory outlet
ReplyDeleteoakley sunglasses
polo ralph lauren
cheap nike shoes
cheap jordans for sale
kate spade outlet store
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet online
cheap nike shoes
christian louboutin shoes
3.22huangteng
cheap jerseys wholesale
ReplyDeletetrue religion outlet
fred perry polo shirts
polo ralph lauren
ralph lauren
adidas nmd
burberry canada
kobe shoes
louis vuitton uk
basketball shoes,basketball sneakers,lebron james shoes,sports shoes,kobe bryant shoes,kobe sneakers,nike basketball shoes,running shoes,mens sport shoes,nike shoes
20170331caihuali
Our Jets Flag is constructed of polyester, measures 3x5 feet, and has two metal grommets for attaching to a traditional flagpole, tailgate pole, or our 6' aluminum flagpole. The perimeter of our Jets Flag is double stitched and the Officially Licensed NFL New York Jets team logos are dye sublimated into the flag so they won't peel. Due to its large size, this flag is also perfect to hang in your game room, sports room, office, or kids room.The Jets Flag is viewable from both sides with the opposite side being a reverse image.Fly your Jets Flag with our tailgate pole or 6' aluminum flagpole and adjustable flag bracket.nfl flags wholesale
ReplyDeletenfl house divided flagsDallas Cowboys house flags
cheap Denver Broncos house flags
hermes belts
ReplyDeletehermes outlet
nba jerseys wholesale
coach outlet
louis vuitton outlet online
mulberry bags
snapbacks wholesale
michael kors outlet clearance
max 1
louis vuitton outlet
20170606lck
Thanks for sharing the information
ReplyDeleteCara Mengatasi Penyakit Eksim Atopik
pengobatan penyakit liver dengan obat herbal alami
Cara Mengobati Alergi Dingin
Obat Paling Mujarab untuk Diabetes
Obat Batu Empedu Alami
PENGOBATAN PENYAKIT AMANDEL
Cara Mengatasi Penyakit Asam Lambung