I thought it was just an odd coincidence that “ecoterrorist” Jack Meyerhoff’s girlfriend was C-Ville Weekly writer / Hook freelancer Lacey Phillabaum. Not so much. Phillabaum has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson, arson, and use of a destructive device during a violent crime, and is facing three to five years in prison, Lisa Provence reports in the latest Hook. The Baltimore City Paper and the USDOJ have more details.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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Wow, sounds like she had a real problem with genetically-engineered poplar trees.
When Meyerhoff was caught, I got quite a few e-mails from eco-community friends asking whether “anyone we knew” had worked with him while he was here, and, thus, whether the revelation of his ELF-based crimes would taint anyone’s legitimate non-profit enviro group. I had not heard of him, met him, or worked with him, so I wasn’t too fussed about the phantom of trial-by-association. The Phillabaum arrest bothers me more, because I do vaguely remember her.
These two make my tree-hugging tendencies look wan by comparison. Perhaps I should thank ELF for going to such an extreme that conservation is now a moderate position instead of a far-left one. However, IMO, it’s a powerful statement on the apathy of the average American that such extremes are required before more reasonable measures can be openly debated and accepted.
“C-Ville Weekly writer / Hook freelancer Lacey Phillabaum.” It’s clear what kind of moral character we’re dealing with here from that title.
“However, IMO, it’s a powerful statement on the apathy of the average American that such extremes are required before more reasonable measures can be openly debated and accepted.”
So, too, is firebombing abortion clinics. Right?
Is there some shortage of open debate on the topic of abortion?
No, there’s no shortage of debate regarding abortion. The point I was trying to illustrate is how dangerous these “ends justify the means” arguments are.
In a civil society, one can’t go around blowing things up in order to call attention to what one believes are serious problems.
I don’t think that’s what Tatyanna meant, though only she can speak for herself. I think the valid parallel to hot-button topics like abortion is that these are strong topics that some people feel so warrant additional attention that they will engage in acts of violence and destruction in order to call attention to them. That observation doesn’t necessarily mean that the ends justify the means, only that those who engage in such behavior apparently believe that the ends justify the means.
Judge Smails: “So, too, is firebombing abortion clinics. Right?”
Yes. I have no problem with right-to-lifers peacefully handing out pamphlets and/or promoting their own adoption services in front of abortion clinics in an effort to express their viewpoint that life is sacred. But attacking women who are going in for abortion services and/or firebombing a clinic in order to make the point goes way too far, and contradicts its own dictum by putting other lives than the fetus at risk.
I was, as you guessed, being wholly ironic about thanking ELF. It is an egregious trend in modern society that serious civil debate only seems to come once damage has been done. It’s not just in American society; the trend seems to be global.
So how would you suggest we reverse it?
Obviously, it is very unfashionable to suggest in these days that sometimes violence IS the only way to get people to listen up. But sometimes that may be just the way it is. Sure, America has its share of apathy and complacency but that is not the sole reason it takes violence before there is debate.
And is it such an egregious trend? The view that it is so terrible is fed by what are doctrines — belief in individualism and that each life is sacred – but it ain’t been proved. One has to ask oneself: If that is the way it is (debate has to be initiated by violence) and I believed in something — would I rather invest my efforts into reversing a trend that may or may not be egregious in the first place, but just the natural order of things…or take possibly violent action now to incite the debate and move change along?
True revolutionaries have always placed themselves above all sorts of standards. Presumptuous they may be, but I doubt any true revolutionary “contradicts his own dictum”. Their actions may cross borders of good taste, moral standards, personal preferences, but that’s your dictum, not their own dictum. (Enough use of the word “dictum” I think). Was Edward Abbey contradicting himself every time he threw a beer can out of the window of his car?
It’s taking Hegelian philosophy to the max degree, that is certain. I don’t believe all life is sacred. Rather, I operate predominantly on Bentham’s principles, and I don’t see much “greater good” in torching a workplace or a forest (depending on what side of the argument you are on) in order to prove a point about environmentalism (or abortion).
My theory is: If a person exercises no discernment, then why did god give him/her a brain?
I am pragmatic enough, however, to note that their actions do benefit my causes by making them appear reasonable by comparison.
That doesn’t mean I have sympathy for them or their principles, and it bothers me whenever someone does ask if I know or belong to the Earth-Firsters. Just as I’m sure it bothers some blameless, untarnished Republicans to be tarred with the same brush that’s painting the current administration.