On September 14, 14 activists from around the country will stand trial in Las Vegas for trespassing at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada in April 2009. Creech is headquarters for the Air Force’s drone warfare program, from where unmanned planes (called “Predators” and “Reapers”) do surveillance and fire (“Hellfire”) missiles at targets on the other side of the globe. As this results from one of the first public protests of this insidious new technology, a spirited defense, including an appeal to international law, is being prepared. More details here
Las Vegas Township Justice Court Judge William Jansen asked: “Aren’t there better ways of making change than breaking the law?”
The answer is Yes:
Arun Gandi is on the right track when he writes: “You can quote me as saying Mahatma Gandhi would disagree with the Plowshares actions because they employ tactics of secrecy and destruction of property. I also think locking up the most courageous and devoted peace leaders for long prison terms is a way of weakening the peace movement. Those leaders could do much more for peace outside of jail than in it.” ( The Jesus Journal – Summer 1995 – No. 77 – page 44 ). It is possible they know this and their motives are more personal than altruistic. At least this is an impression that could be inferred.
Las Vegas Township Justice Court Judge William Jansen asked: “Aren’t there better ways of making change than breaking the law?”
The answer is an unequivocal Yes:
Arun Gandi is on the right track when he writes: “You can quote me as saying Mahatma Gandhi would disagree with the Plowshares actions because they employ tactics of secrecy and destruction of property. I also think locking up the most courageous and devoted peace leaders for long prison terms is a way of weakening the peace movement. Those leaders could do much more for peace outside of jail than in it.” ( The Jesus Journal – Summer 1995 – No. 77 – page 44 ). One is led to the unpalatable but inevitable conclusion where the motives of said campaigners need to be challenged.How much of their ‘sacrifice’ is for personal (complex psychological reasons?) rather than altruistic gain. At least this much can be easily inferred.