Bill proposes federal prison time for dealership vandals

Pasadena Star News ^ | Wednesday, November 19, 2003 | Will Matthews

[presidio9]

Those found to be responsible for the August firebombing of four San Gabriel Valley auto dealerships could face federal prison time under new legislation being floated by an Indiana congressman.

Rep. Chris Chocola, R-Ind., whose district includes one of the nation's major SUV assembly plants, introduced the Stop Terrorism of Property Act of 2003 last month in response to the August attacks on SUVs at dealerships in Arcadia, Duarte and West Covina, which the radical environmental group Earth Liberation Front has taken responsibility for.

"It is important that we call terrorists terrorists,' Chocola said Wednesday during a telephone interview. "These people are not protectors of the environment as they claim to be. The acts that they engage in are far more destructive to the environment than the objects that they are targeting.'

Chocola's bill, which Rep. David Dreier, R-Glendora, co-sponsored Wednesday, would define ecoterrorism as any intentional act that causes damage to property and which is aimed at influencing public opinion on environmental issues.

The bill, co-sponsored by 43 other, mostly Republican lawmakers, would mandate from five years to life in prison for perpetrators.

The issue of ecoterrorism is especially important to Chocola, whose northern Indiana district includes the AM General plant in Mishawaka, Ind., one of America's major manufacturers of Hummer H2s, dozens of which were damaged or destroyed Aug. 22 in the early morning attacks in the San Gabriel Valley.

AM General employs hundreds of Chocola's constituents in Mishawaka, whose economic security was threatened as a result of the San Gabriel Valley attacks, Chocola said.

"It is a goal of these eco-terrorists to put companies like that out of business,' Chocola said. "In my district, they are a significant employer and an important part of our economy. We need to be able to call these people what they are terrorists and hold them fully responsible for their actions.'

About 40 vehicles, most of them high-priced Hummer H2s, were burned or spray painted Aug. 22 on the lot of Clippinger Chevrolet-Hummer in West Covina, causing more than $1 million in damage at that dealership alone.

About 60 other vehicles at dealerships in Arcadia and Duarte were also vandalized the same night.

In September, authorities arrested and raided the Pomona home of 25-year-old Josh Connole in connection with the attacks, but released him four days later after prosecutors decided there was not enough evidence to warrant a case against him.

A joint federal and local task force continues to investigate the incidents, but no charges have been filed.

Connole has denied any involvement in the ELF, a decentralized group of radical environmentalists made up of autonomous cells.

The group has wreaked destruction from coast to coast in the last 12 months alone in a ramped-up effort to target what the group says are suburban status symbols that serve as despoilers of the earth.

The ELF has claimed responsibility for the arson of luxury homes and SUVs in Detroit, Philadelphia and San Diego, causing tens of millions of dollars in damage and vaulting the group to the top of the FBI's domestic terrorism priority list.

No one has been charged in any of the attacks.

Chocola said Wednesday his legislation, which is sitting in the House Judiciary Committee, has been received warmly by his congressional colleagues, a testament, he says, to the widespread effect ecoterrorism has had.

"I've been surprised by how many local connections there have been,' he said. "Acts of domestic terrorism are more widespread than many of the American people realize. The public simply would not stand for these types of acts if they were more aware of what is going on.'

[Tijeras_Slim]

ping

[Grampa Dave]

The sale of new auto/suvs should be protected by the laws protecting interstate commerce.

It is past time for these Watermelon Jihadist Terrorists being seen by some as heroes for their eco economic acts of terrorism.

Thanks for the ping.

[Tijeras_Slim]

No problem FRiend.

[Grampa Dave]

Presidio9, thanks for finding this timely article and posting it.

Any congressit voting against this bill should be investigate to see how much funding they get from Watermelon Jihadist Organizations like Club Sierra to block any bill that makes eco economic violent acts an act of terrorism.

[blackie]

Eradicate environazis ~ Now!

Hang 'Em High!

[presidio9]

No prob Gramps. As I have pointed out before, I don't think this goes far enough. It is my opinion that ecoterrorists should serve out their sentences with their fraternal colleagues in Guantanemo Bay.

[Grampa Dave]

Gitmo is too good for them.

Pay Haiti a $ per day to keep these scum bags for about 25 years. The people in Haiti could do whatever they wanted to these scumbags as long as they didn't kill them.

[nightdriver]

"No prob Gramps. As I have pointed out before, I don't think this goes far enough. It is my opinion that ecoterrorists should serve out their sentences with their fraternal colleagues in Guantanemo Bay."

Why not also make ELF members themselves personally liable for reimbursing the owners for the damage that they caused?

[Gunslingr3]

The sale of new auto/suvs should be protected by the laws protecting interstate commerce.

What shouldn't the federal government do under the auspices of the interstate commerce clause? Do you know that's the wedge they use to claim authority in every aspect of your life?

[Gunslingr3]

Why not also make ELF members themselves personally liable for reimbursing the owners for the damage that they caused?

Because there is no ELF membership list, and collective punishment is best left to Nazis.

[Grampa Dave]

Well for once this is actual interstate commerce. Of course then the rats in congress will resist it.

[Grampa Dave]

How about holding those who contribute to ELF/ALF responsible since their contributions enable these organizations to exist?

[RonHolzwarth]

The really crazy thing is this:

They drove cars on the way there, and did not think a thing of it!

OK for them to drive their cars, but not OK for a different type of vehicle!

Debtor's prisons should be reestablished for persons that commit crimes like this.

Also, I am in favor of much higher gasoline taxes to cut usage, I mean, as high as those in Europe! The money to go towards ecofriendly modes of transportation, though, and NOT into the "Federal Slush Pot".

One way they could perhaps make the same point is to put small yellow Post-It notes on strategic places on the vehicles - pointing out to potential purchasers their opinions. These could be quickly removed without damage to the vehicles, or anyone's property, and would perhaps be a much more valid method of expressing their outrage!

Plus, I wonder if they ever considered that the aerosol cans pollute the air, as well as any type of paint, for that matter!

And the ones that set the vehicles on fire REALLY pollute the air!

I think the "Post-It" notes hidden on the vehicles is a good idea, sure hope that catches on instead of this!

[presidio9]

Why not also make ELF members themselves personally liable for reimbursing the owners for the damage that they caused?

With what? None of these dirtbags has a job.

[dixiechick2000]

I hope they pass this bill, Gramps.

IIRC, the guy charged with torching SUV's in Oregon is in for over 20 years, but I can't remember any of the other charges against him. I'm sure there are others here who remember a lot more than I do about this yahoo.

I totally agree that anyone voting against this bill should have their sources of funding investigated.

[Pahuanui]

Pay Haiti a $ per day to keep these scum bags for about 25 years. The people in Haiti could do whatever they wanted to these scumbags as long as they didn't kill them.

Here's an idea. Try actually thinking before posting. It ought to clear up your obviously skewed sense of proportion.

No, no need to thank me.

[freeeee]

Do you know that's the wedge they use to claim authority in every aspect of your life?

Shhhhh... You'll upset the lemmings. They like the way the jackboot feels when they're wearing it, even as they hold their own heads from the last time it kicked them.

If you want to stay on their good sides, always remember that the 'living Constitution' and great big fat government is just dandy when they get to call the shots.

[Gunslingr3]

Well for once this is actual interstate commerce. Of course then the rats in congress will resist it.

Vandalism is not interstate commerce.

[Grampa Dave]

Why don't you apply what you told me to you?