Intelligence is no innoculation against goofy beliefs. It is always the beliefs that direct the intelligence, never vice versa. 
Posted on 10/23/2006 10:49:54 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd
Jennifer Kolar and Lacey Phillabaum seem unlikely criminals.
Well-educated young women passionate about environmental causes, they share a love of the outdoors and similar backgrounds. Both grew up in Spokane and attended the same public high school.
Those who know Phillabaum call her bright, outspoken, sometimes in-your-face but never dull. She was a skilled debater in high school and college and once worked for a well-regarded non-profit that promotes sustainable agriculture.
Kolar Kolar studied under one of the nation's top atmospheric scientists while pursuing a doctoral degree and had the makings of a good scientist, her adviser said, but her heart seemed elsewhere.
The women were concerned about what was going on around them -- the logging of old-growth forests, the slaughter of animals for sport. Like many Northwest activists, they pushed for change.
Phillabaum But their activism morphed into something more dangerous -- and now both are headed to prison.
Before dawn on May 21, 2001, Kolar cut the glass that allowed fellow Earth Liberation Front members to sneak into the University of Washington office of professor Toby Bradshaw, who was studying the genetics of fast-growing hybrid poplar trees. Phillabaum's role is still unclear, but she was also on the scene, court documents show.
Bradshaw and other researchers at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture would be arriving within hours, so the ELF squad must have worked quickly to plant the firebombs -- plastic buckets of fuel rigged with cheap digital timers, assembled in someone's garage. Their goal: destroy the research on genetic engineering of poplars to avert an "ecological nightmare" for native forests.
The fire ignited in Bradshaw's office spread through the building and raged for hours. Rare books, endangered plants and decades of botanical research went up in flames, causing $7 million in damage.
By then, Kolar, Phillabaum and the three others involved in the arson had disappeared.
At the UW, researchers tried to salvage their work. A new facility was built. But the trail to the perpetrators seemed to peter out. For nearly five years, the crime went unsolved.
While investigators searched for clues, Kolar and Phillabaum didn't go into hiding.
Kolar bought a two-story house in Wallingford, raced in local regattas and was active in a Seattle yacht club. Phillabaum pursued a career as a journalist, freelanced articles and sought mentoring from a professional journalism group. Others involved in the arsons also went on to do other things.
"The series of arsons stopped in 2001, and since then many of the people implicated in those have gone on to lead lives in the mainstream society," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Friedman in Seattle.
But investigators eventually closed in.
In December, federal agents arrested many of those believed responsible for a series of arson attacks across five states, including an Oregon poplar farm that had been torched at the same time as the UW center.
Three people were indicted earlier this year: Justin Solondz, 27, formerly of Jefferson County, who is believed to have fled the country; William Rodgers, 40, who committed suicide in an Arizona jail cell weeks after his arrest; and Briana Waters, 30, a Berkeley, Calif., violin teacher who faces trial.
This month, federal prosecutors identified for the first time the two remaining suspects: Kolar, 33, and Phillabaum, 31.
Both women are cooperating with authorities and have admitted to belonging to ELF and participating in the UW firebombing. The FBI has branded ELF an underground radical group and a top domestic terrorism threat.
At their January sentencing in Seattle, Kolar faces between five and seven years in prison; Phillabaum faces three to five. Defense attorney Gilbert Levy declined a request to interview his client, Phillabaum. Kolar declined comment through her attorney, Michael Martin.
"Paradoxes and ironies abound here, and they're all wedded to a tragedy," said David Frank, a University of Oregon professor who knew Phillabaum when she was in his debate program.
"How could such bright, articulate, well-meaning people ... how could they have been tempted by violence?"
From sit-ins to firebombs
Phillabaum was socially conscious even as a teenager at Shadle Park High School, former school officials say. She grew up in Deer Park, and her parents were partners in a Spokane law firm. In high school, she was voted "Teacher's Pet" in her senior year and won debate contests.
"She had a strong mind of her own," said Emmett Arndt, a former assistant principal at Shadle Park.
At the University of Oregon, Phillabaum studied art history and graduated in three years. She continued to debate in college, partly "to learn more about the reasons why the environment was under threat," said Frank, who teaches rhetoric.
The program taught students to use reason, research and persuasion to affect change, but Phillabaum left after a year, feeling frustrated with the lack of action, he said.
Typical of many students, "she found her way into activist groups," he said. "She was surrounded by people who were equally frustrated, equally angry. Out of those conversations came a dedication to more violent actions to achieve their actions."
"She was probably feeling frustrated with the system, with the exploitation of the Earth and species, and not having immediate results with above-ground organizing," said an associate of Phillabaum's, who asked not to be identified.
In college, she worked on Insurgent, a left-leaning campus publication that critiqued foreign policy.
The mid-1990s was the height of protests against logging on public lands, and Phillabaum was in the thick of it. She protested timber harvests in Oregon's Umpqua National Forest and joined others in blocking a logging road to Warner Creek, according to news accounts.
"You couldn't call her commitment into question," said a Eugene, Ore., activist who has known her for a decade.
At a 1997 tree-sit in Eugene, Phillabaum and others tried to save 40 trees from being leveled for a downtown development. Police arrested her and others for criminal trespassing. She was fined $100 and sentenced to three days in jail, according to the Lane County District Attorney's Office.
In other aspects, Phillabaum led a relatively normal life. She had a lot of friends, was well-grounded and came from a loving family, those who know her say. She spent a lot of time in the outdoors -- rafting rivers and hiking mountains.
An aspiring journalist, she also edited Earth First! Journal, which calls itself the voice of the radical environmental movement. In February 2001, she landed a job at In Good Tilth, a newsletter sent out by Oregon Tilth, a non-profit promoting sustainable farming.
"She was an exemplary employee," said Chris Schreiner, Oregon Tilth's quality-control manager. "She brought a new level of quality and content to the newsletter."
She worked at the newsletter for four years. She also joined the Society of Environmental Journalists and sought mentoring help from veteran reporters, said the group's executive director, Beth Parke.
In 2005, Phillabaum moved to Charlottesville, Va., to take a writing job at the C-VILLE Weekly. The alternative paper fired her after three months, said editor Cathy Harding, who declined to say why.
Phillabaum's double life was quickly catching up to her.
In December 2005, federal agents arrested Stanislas Meyerhoff, 29, of Charlottesville, who they accused of masterminding the UW and Oregon tree farm firebombings. At the time, Meyerhoff was Phillabaum's boyfriend, a Charlottesville newspaper reported. Meyerhoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy and arson charges in July.
Phillabaum's role in the UW arson would soon be revealed, as would Kolar's.
'It's a puzzle'
It's not clear whether Phillabaum and Kolar knew each other at Shadle Park, but they overlapped at the school, located in a middle-class neighborhood of north Spokane.
Kolar graduated two years before Phillabaum and went on to the University of Colorado in Boulder. She majored in applied mathematics and later earned a master's degree in astrophysical, planetary and atmospheric sciences, according to the school.
"I never thought that atmospheric sciences was her passion, or something that was her lifelong ambition," said Merritt Deeter, an atmospheric scientist who shared an office with Kolar when both were grad students. "She kind of prided herself on her activist nature."
Kolar was bright and skilled but distracted, said her doctoral adviser, Peter Webster, now a professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
"If she had applied her passions to science, she would have been a good scientist, but she had other things that were much more important to her," Webster said.
She was passionate about animal rights and often protested against animals being hunted for sport, Webster said. "It's not the least bit surprising to me that she carried her passions that far."
In grad school, Kolar volunteered for such groups as Rocky Mountain Animal Defense. She tried to stop the Denver Zoo from allegedly sending surplus animals to hunting ranches, said David Crawford, the group's founder.
He stressed that his group doesn't condone violence and that she left in 1996.
In July 1997, Kolar allegedly took part in an arson that destroyed a horse slaughterhouse in Redmond, Ore.
She's expected to admit her role in that crime, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Peifer in Portland. She also has pleaded guilty to attempting to firebomb a Colorado gun club that organized turkey shoots in 1998.
Kolar settled in Seattle several years ago. She bought a house in Wallingford a year after the UW arson, joined the Corinthian Yacht Club in Seattle and competed in Puget Sound regattas. Her profile on that club's Web site noted that she loved the outdoors and co-owned the Manta Ray, a 30-foot performance sailboat.
Kolar was a crew member on a boat that recently won at the Swiftsure Lightship Classic, said the skipper, Alex Wigley.
"It's a puzzle. It just blindsided me," said Wigley, who described Kolar as capable, funny and intelligent.
"This whole event has made me wonder how well I know anyone."
She got away with a slap on the wrist for criminal trespassing so where did they expect she was going to go? Of COURSE she escalated the violence. And Moreover, she (or another one of the criminals in this enterprise) will do it again because she's only getting a slap on the wrist for THIS activity.
There is no deterrence where there is no credible threat of punishment.
Yes, after years of being taught "self actualization" - leaving God out of the equation - they, these classic examples, become gods unto themelves,do some real bad, and harmful things, but, being libs, coddled by the media. Sooooo many dangerous eggheads in education, Been there, done that. Now I pray more with my family. Thank you for your insight...
They burned a poplar farm to save the poplars? Yep, real bright girls.
Public school preach envirmentalism, so it is obvious that some young people are going to take it as a religious calling. I feel safe in saying the schools don't teach that there are enviromental groups that will take the young and willing, then suck out their souls.
Intelligence is no innoculation against goofy beliefs. It is always the beliefs that direct the intelligence, never vice versa.
Ted Bundy had a lot of passion for his hobby too. And Josef Mengele had a lot of passion in the medical field.
This is the true face of Liberalism.
I suppose they're not, not where it really counts anyway where they *share* more in common than they do differences.
"Their leaders agitate the junior members until somebody decides to act. Those that do act are probably the most gullible and sincere as well."
Yup.
You've really said a mouthful there, oyez.
If I hadn't known the specific topic we're addressing?
I'd have thought the discussion was describing the psychological profile(s) of people the Islamofacist leaders seek to fill their insurgency armies.
The type of person who'll blow themselves up out of misplaced passion, gullibility and sincerity must possess those critical components.
The *similarities* of those targeted by radical groups -- of any stripe -- by the *leaders* is sobering if only because it's so easy to find so many ready, willing & able to fill the bill.
"Public school preach envirmentalism, so it is obvious that some young people are going to take it as a religious calling."
I totally agree.
While I realize what I'm about to say is (somewhat) "off-topic", it's so closely related it must be asked, anyway: How long before a new, much more virulent & violent type of homosexual "activist" is born of the same brainwashing & by the same public institution(s)?
This *formula* unfortunately can be used on almost any issue, too.
Because believe you me, the day's coming -- "Sooner rather than later, more rather than less." {g} -- when we'll all be witnessing the product of a groomed, cultured rage which'll surely manifest in ways identical to those of the enviromental wackos.
It's inevitable.
"I feel safe in saying the schools don't teach that there are environmental groups that will take the young and willing, then suck out their souls."
Man-oh-man, oyez.
I wish (to the Good Lord in Heaven) I could feel as secure in [that] belief as you [do].
The public trust insofar as our schools are concerned -- these days -- has been & is violated on a daily basis, and, in more ways than mere sex between "student & teacher".
That too is inevitable.
...& I hate to say that. ;^)
The dark irony in all this is these two women would consider me an eco-terrorist because I hunt and fish. Yet these two have done more damage to the environment in the two acts mentioned than I could possibly do in a lifetime of outdoor recreation.
What does it mean to be socially conscience. Is that something good. And if so why. Does it automatically mean you are a nut for a left wing cause as these 2 women were.
I think not long. If you read anything on any blog by a homosexual about gay marriage you will see they are full of hate and rage. They hate anyone and everything that stands in the way of forcing a change in society. They espically hate God and hate Christianity. They snarl and scream through the screen. It is scary.
Some additional background: ECO RESISTANCE: ARREST AND REPRESSION.
Interesting how these girls live in upper class neighborhoods now. Those damn capitalists!
I think you're correct, tr.
Only a matter of time before a "terrorist" group -- or groups -- pop-up and their cause de jure will be the "repression" of their chosen form of sexuality.
It's inevitable.
"If you read anything on any blog by a homosexual about gay marriage you will see they are full of hate and rage. They hate anyone and everything that stands in the way of forcing a change in society."
Uh-huh.
This is a fomented rage, an evolutionary process.
A rage actively fostered & sped-up thanks to the *influence* of those who didn't have the guts to do themselves what they're advocating others do, now.
Ive learned there's no lower form of coward than s/he who by virtue of their years is supposed to be wise, yet use their "wisdom" to corrupt & manipulate the gullible young.
The *Left* is full to overflowing with this type incidentally, could never survive without gullible youth & that's just a fact of life.
So be it.
"They espically hate God and hate Christianity."
Sure, and why not?
"Man shall not lay with man."
Pretty clear cut & if one considers for a moment isn't it the *clarity* what's really hated?
"They snarl and scream through the screen."
Yup.
Anonymously, of course. ;^)
"It is scary."
Yea, it is.
Insanity on parade is intimidating, especially to/for the Ladies.
Not to worry though as long as there're men like myself, & there most certainly are.
So while it may be true no one can or will be able to stop future aggression, now?
...it's expected, nonetheless ;^)
Yessiree, they most certainly would & *do*.
BTW I knew you fished (from the decks of your MV Bravemen), but never knew you hunted!
Now how in the hell does someone know another for 30 years & miss that?? {g}
"Yet these two have done more damage to the environment in the two acts mentioned than I could possibly do in a lifetime of outdoor recreation."
Yea, and have you noticed that's just one more fact making up the modus operandi of Liberal-Socialists today?
Their "cure" has more often than not become much worse than the "disease".
...go figure.
Bingo, the common denominator.
It's what leads me to believe the homosexuals will ratchet-up their crap to equal -- or surpass -- the enviro-wackos or Islmaofacists, for that matter.
Copy cats?
Maybe more than the scientist-priests would admit, eh?
"Guaranteed, to a person, these people are mad at the world."
That's a fact.
"It shouldn't come as a surprise that we never hear about any psychological profiles of these types, but their "passion" is actually anger channeled into one nut-case cause or another; either self initiated or otherwise."
HA!!
Nicely said, my friend.
Insanity's now labeled "passion" & attached to whatever asinine cause they nutcracker *sees* in the nut's depraved life.
Great science makes for even greater medicine.
The APA would satisfy a LOT of inquiring minds if they answered just one question, a "chicken & egg" kinda question at that: Are the types who participate in destructive behavior(s) insane *before* they begin, or is the destructive behavior the cause of their insanity?
Just thought a little conundrum might spice up (what looks to be shaping up as) an ordinary Tuesday. :o)
"We can guess where these types end up."
Uh-huh.
Up here in the WI wilderness a euphemism's employed for describing such *destinations*, "The Shitter". ;^)
"The Phillabaum girl's ambition was to be a --- journalist."
Now *there's* a shock.
...& a conundrum of your own. {g}
Yea well I missed that & the mystery begins to unravel.
Just know had I seen such drooling?
I'd have been compelled to prove my friendship to you by discouraging your shooting one.
Wild turkeys need *&* use their muscles, my friend.
One bite of a wild turkey's leg, for example, would result in your being fitted with dentures. ;^)
The ones in the freezer section at Pick 'n Save are a hellova lot easier to both catch *&* digest.
"Note I've never used the adjective successful'."
True-true, never made the claim.
"If I were forced to live off my hunting skills, I'd be eating lots of berries..."
HA!!
And be *lighter*??
Sayyyyy I *think* you're onto something, here.
Think *I* will take up hunting!!
...& to hell with The Glycemic Indexe. :o)
Now there's a good question for a bona fide shrink; my dabbling is more the shade tree variety. If I had to make a guess, I'd say the insanity drives, or at least initiates the destructive behavior. It can/may then feed on itself as evidenced by these two charming ladies. They started out small; sitins and the like, then graduated to bigger and bolder acts of, well, terrorism. Again, if I had to make a guess, I suspect we will probably be blessed with more such behavior from larger and larger pools of lunatics. The fabric of our society is becoming frayed; very frayed.
One is forced to ask if our effete culture can or will develop the backbone necessary to deal with it. I have my doubts.
Just thought a little conundrum might spice up (what looks to be shaping up as) an ordinary Tuesday.
Heh. Conundrums we can handle on an out patient basis; the impossible takes a day or two ;^)
.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.