US Fines Woman for Being 'Human Shield' ('bout damn time!)

Yahoo! News / AP ^ | 8.11.03

[mhking]

SARASOTA, Fla. - A retired schoolteacher who went to Iraq (news - web sites) to serve as a "human shield" against the U.S. invasion is facing thousands of dollars in U.S. government fines, which she is refusing to pay.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury said in a March letter to Faith Fippinger that she broke the law by crossing the Iraqi border before the war. Her travel to Iraq violated U.S. sanctions that prohibited American citizens from engaging in "virtually all direct or indirect commercial, financial or trade transactions with Iraq."

She and others from 30 countries spread out through Iraq to prevent the war. She spent about three months there. Only about 20 of nearly 300 "human shields" were Americans, she said.

Fippinger, who returned home May 4, is being fined at least $10,000, but she has refused to pay. She could face up to 12 years in prison.

In her response to the charges, she wrote the government that "if it comes to fines or imprisonment, "please be aware that I will not contribute money to the United States government to continue the buildup of its arsenal of weapons." Since she won't pay, she said, "perhaps the alternative should be considered."

The government also has asked Fippinger, 62, to detail her travels to Iraq and any financial transactions she made. In her response, Fippinger wrote that the only money she spent was on food and emergency supplies.

If Fippinger does not pay, the fine may increase, and the money will be drawn from her retirement paycheck, her Social Security (news - web sites) check or any of her assets, officials said.

"She was (in Iraq) in violation of U.S. sanctions," said Taylor Griffin, a Treasury Department (news - web sites) spokesman. "That's what happens."

Shortly before the U.S. invasion in March, Fippinger was one of several dozen human shields scattered around a refinery in Baghdad.

"We are planning to stay here in the refinery if war breaks out," Fippinger said at the time. "We are staying here because we think this war is unjust."

[mhking]

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[HRC]

How did she get back into this country? She should have been held up in customs until she paid.

[Viet Vet in Augusta GA]

Great! I wish they would prosecute Jane Fonda too...

[SunStar]

In her response to the charges, she wrote the government that "if it comes to fines or imprisonment, "please be aware that I will not contribute money to the United States government to continue the buildup of its arsenal of weapons." Since she won't pay, she said, "perhaps the alternative should be considered."

Ashcroft, arrest this hag!

[ZinGirl]

"please be aware that I will not contribute money to the United States government to continue the buildup of its arsenal of weapons."

I'll bet they're tempted to respond with "Fine. Please be aware that if there is ever a huge ICBM heading straight for your house, we won't lift a finger to stop it"

[theDentist]

Since she won't pay, she said, "perhaps the alternative should be considered."

Fine with me!

[Paul Atreides]

Fippinger, who returned home May 4

What, she didn't stay in Iraq to help in the rebuilding effort? Some commitment to "the people."

[Paul Atreides]

In her response to the charges, she wrote the government that "if it comes to fines or imprisonment, "please be aware that I will not contribute money to the United States government to continue the buildup of its arsenal of weapons." Since she won't pay, she said, "perhaps the alternative should be considered."

I wonder what the bat knows how her taxes are used.

[Jokelahoma]

I notice she isn't still in Iraq, but rather she hightailed it home to enjoy the comforts and freedoms for which she refuses to pay. In her attempt to maintain her own personal "moral high ground", she's cutting off the branch on which she's sitting. It's a long way down, honey-bunny.

[Paul Atreides]

how her taxes are used

[Libertina]

Excellent point. I'd support your nomination for INS head :)

[bedolido]

GREAT POST!!! lol... I hope she gets the 12 years if she doesn't pay her fine.

[GnuHere]

And send her to Gitmo.

[Paul Atreides]

All that she, and her comrades, cared about was trying to embarass President Bush.

[zip]

A retired schoolteacher

Leftist teachers like her give the other 10% of honest, pro American teachers a bad name.

[SolidSupplySide]

US Fines Woman for Being 'Human Shield'

This headline is false. The woman has been fined for violating travel restrictions to Iraq during Saddam Hussein's regime. The fact that she went to interfere with American military operations is irrelevant.

Would the AP claim that a drunk driver was fined for "driving home"? One can drive home without facing fines. One should anticipate a fine if one drives drunk.

I attribute this poor headline to bias.

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[Catspaw]

Don't post personal information about ANYBODY.