It is possible to get too simple

Dear Simple Simon; Granted, this is a big clear example of corporate stupidity and the global consequences of it. It's also a glaring proof of their near psychotic inability to feel shame or even embarrassment at their inhuman lack of values. But...

If you are going to use these examples to justify bombings, you are going to have to examine your own motives. What is the bomber you mention trying to accomplish? Surely some sort of return to rational standards and values to be encorporated into corporate institutions? Hard to imagine sane people who would disagree with that goal. Just as hard, though, to imagine sane people who would agree with those hyper-violent methods.

It leaves a question. Since bombing them into sanity seems not very likely to work, what will, do you think?

What practical way can be imagined that would motivate corporations to act responsibly rather than insanely as they so often seem to do?

It's not a rhetorical question. It seems to me to be one of the central questions that the twenty-first century will have to answer, and pretty damn quickly, too. Any ideas on the subject?

putting out fire with gasoline

Dear Bailey, In the Spring of 2001, militars from the United States threatened to bomb Afghanistan into oblivion. This threat was made months before the three buildings were "pulled" on September 11 in New York City. Weeks after 9-11, the United States invaded Afghanistan.

Bombing Afghanistan into oblivion? The majority of Canadians are opposed to Canada's military involvement in Afghanistan.

Bombing a gas corporation to defend the health of land and neighbors? Bombing is not only not very likely to work, it won't work -- it will only escalate violence: just look at the results of the invasion of Afghanistan.

Poisoning people to make a profit on gas? How much money is enough? Where is the anger? And the mourning?

Here are some ideas: We can set beneficial examples by being role models in a world in which we live. I believe that there is so much untapped creativity in people that has been suppressed, and that we're going to see the most unlikely people show up. The atrocities we are witnessing seem like acts of desperation, and yet where is the despair? It's time to mourn and heal. It's time to let go. Forgive me. It's time to breathe.

No ethical Hobson's Choice here, Bailey

If the Encana bombings hadn't taken place, how many people would know about the issues which predicated them? Remember, those bombings were about PROPERTY, and posed no risk to people.

Not so at the sour gas pumping stations, some will say. But repairmen came equipped with adequate safety equipment, so how do you compare an hour of low risk with the many years of proven health effects from flaring-off at these wells, which still carries on? How do you forgive the official denials of these efffects?

The only thing that these Corporations, and the Governments that shill for them, care about is money. People are a distant second in their priorities.

Since it is far too expensive to sue these deep-pocketed entities, and the only way to interest the sensationalist press is mayhem, what other alternative to bombing is there? Do we have to wait 20 years until death and disease from situations like Love Canal become undeniable?

How many people know that in Texas, which is owned by the Oil and Gas industry, fiery tapwater has been the norm for decades?

From a strict ethical standpoint, I find myself in full agreement with Bailey and mmphosis. Bombing and "terrorism" should not be compatible with a free, Democratic Society.

But the uncomfortable fact is that we do not live in such a society. Both Corporations and Gov'ts now hold themselves above the rule of law, it being theirs to manipulate as they see fit. As Bailey himself says, ".....a glaring proof of their near psychotic inability to feel shame or even embarrassment at their inhuman lack of values. But..."

In such a situation it seems both ethical and logical to attack the ONLY thing outide of power that they value......PROPERTY.

Sour Gas Emissions ...

in the Legislature :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZR4vrH45jM

Nothing to see here ... move along ...

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/1999/01/29/ludwig990129.html