Dear Editor,
Judi Bari was a lover of the earth, she was a woman whose connection to the land was very strong.
Judi Bari made her stand to defend the forests from destruction by corporate greed; her desire was to save what forests were left for future generations and the benefit of all people.
Her voice was strong throughout Northern California. She made it known that she would defend the environment whatever the cost.
Judi Bari was definitely an environmental revolutionary who took up a worthy cause, and she fought to the end.
The law enforcement of this country tried to silence this strong voice on May 24, 1990, by blowing up her car with a bomb, and then tried to cover it up. It is very clear to the public that there is gross corruption within the F.B.I., and the Oakland police departments and I will be bold, and go as far as to say that law enforcement is corrupt all across america!
If you don't believe that, then just go out and make it public that you love the earth, and you will make a stand to save the forests, and that you will speak out against corporate greed!
Then after making yourself, and your love for the environment known, you better start checking your car for bombs, because your life will be in danger in america!
Who will be the next victims of corrupt law enforcement, and a government with too much power?
We all must continue to seek justice for Judi Bari, because once justice is won for Judi Bari, that is justice and victory for us all! We must see that Judi Bari's lawsuit is not swept under the rug and forgotten, but we must stand strong in solidarity against the FBI and the Oakland police; we must refuse to submit to corrupt law enforcement.
We must let the government know that we will not forget the bombing of Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney, but we will continue in this struggle against oppression and injustice.
We will remember the courage and strength that continued to exude from Judi Bari even after the bombing; they could not defeat her and they could not keep her from speaking out!
There must be justice for Judi Bari! We must not let the guilty ones go unpunished!
Continue to oppose every assault upon the earth! And remember Judi Bari!
Signed,
Peaceful OrganicVegetable Farmer
Bear Lincoln
by D.R. McKean
Dear Editor,
I recently had the experience of observing the "wheels of justice" turning, but stuck in the mud and running backwards. I was sitting in on the "Bear" Lincoln trial session concerning the jury selection - or rather disqualification. I recall one prospective juror, disqualified, who claimed a quantum of Native American heritage, for his statement quoting the biblical commandment, "Thou shalt not kill" (murder). A second prospective juror, also with a percentage of native blood, was disqualified by the content of Christian dogma. Then statements were made that although these two people were the last hope of integrating an all-white jury, they might have been a little biased by relating. This was not a negative issue, but I deduced that being a practicing Christian was. Obeying the biblical commandment of the Hebrew script was. There go Indians off the jury, followed closely by Christians and anyone that maintains biblical integrity - you're out. That book used to be pretty important in a court of law. They don't even have to swear on it in this trial.
This compelled me to further investigate and analyze the theme or body of the allegations. Now I'm really puzzled. I tried but failed to rationalize the possible motives of any two men who were not wanted by law enforcement, were not assumed guilty of any crime, were not even observed doing any illegal activity. Why would two men, not even involved as principals themselves and knowing it, ambush a police roadblock.? Did they know that manning the position was an officer who has been described as an experienced, exploit-relating, gung-ho, ex-Navy Seal, armed with a weapon that he was trained to kill with? Did they know that with him was a swat team sniper who shoots at "shadows," "into bushes" and "at noises," "sheriff's vehicles" and God only knows what else?
Ambushed? I always thought that victims of an ambush were the last to arrive at the ambush scene. What would have been the motive for this premeditative act? I'm trying to recall any incidents concerning an unprovoked, reasonless, suicidal, attack on armed and ready-to-kill public servants, an act which has predictable results. Uzi-toting gangsters won't do that. I couldn't find similar attacks by psychopaths or maniacs.
There's a lot behind all this, going way back. It involves two families feuding, each considering the other an enemy. Neither thought of the sheriff's department as an enemy - until now.
D.R. McKean
by Tom Wodeski
Dear Editor and Readers:
The Republican Congress is presently pushing for more tax cuts for the rich, in the form of reduced inheritance and capital gains taxes. Ninety percent of those tax cuts benefit just the wealthiest 5% of the population. This follows years of reduced spending for the rest of us on education, welfare, infrastructure, environmental protection, etc. Why increase the wealth gap?
The US already has the most unfair distribution of wealth of all industrialized nations in the world, and the biggest gap between the rich and the poor. Does this make you proud? Why do they make the gap bigger, further crushing the poor and rewarding the already obscenely rich?
The only answer I can see is that the rich run this country, for their own benefit. How? They own 95% of the mass media (to convince us, e.g. that taxes and "Big Government" regulations on corporations are bad) and control 95% of the politicians (by paying for their campaigns and rewarding them with jobs after they leave office).
The rich have convinced Congress to reduce corporations' share of taxes from 23% in the 1950s to just 9% today, which means we citizens have had to make up the difference. No wonder we're angry at our tax bills. Notice, though, that instead of shifting the tax load back to corporations, Congress takes it out on society's weakest: poor children and elders.
Since Reagan's days, Republicans have proudly led this class war for the rich against the rest of us, but the Democrats are fully on board too; they all know who pays for their elections and who they'll work for next.
This awful corruption will continue until we citizens reclaim our democracy and our country. People are stirring; three nationwide progressive parties have been formed valuing people over profits and community over consuming: the Labor Party, the New Party, and the Greens (which got over 10% of the '96 vote in six North Coast counties).
If you'd like to meet with like-minded folks to discuss this situation and what we can do to change it, call me at 937-1113 or write 31901 Middle Ridge Road, Albion 95410 or tw@mcn.org.
Tom Wodetzki
by Nadananda
Dear Supporters of the Eel River Watershed,
We are facing the demise of the wild and scenic Eel River watershed and its once-abundant fisheries, now almost extinct. After seeing the politicians walk all over the Endangered Species Act, can you relax and count on them to rectify the ills wrought upon this watershed? The challenge and opportunity are ours! Please join this historic grassroots movement to return our diverted Eel River headwaters to their rightful course.
The Eel River Watershed is the third largest watershed in California. Once it was abundant with life, with a rich, balanced ecosystem. Its legendary fish played a major role in the economies of Mendocino and Humboldt. Both counties have experienced great financial losses with the demise of the fish. The toll on the food chain is drastica major food source for humans and wildlife has just about disappeared. This is a very important indicator that whole watersheds are in danger. Like the threatened jungles in South America, our own habitats are in dramatic decline. It is imperative that we all join together, do our collective part, and restore this watershed. Communities across America have been joining together to bring dams down and restore their watersheds/habitats. We must do the same here.
In 1908 it was an innovative idea to take Eel River water from high in the mountains, shunt it through a tunnel filled with turbines, and drop the water into the next valley and the Russian River. This produced electricity for Ukiah and even as far south as the 1912 World's Fair in San Francisco. Now the plant is no longer cost-effective, and since no one down south pays for the diverted water from the Eel River, PGandE has decided to sell the project. In addition, new deregulation laws required PGandE to sell its power plants. This is our opportunity! We will be requesting that the Federal Electrical Regulatory Commission (FERC, which governs PGandE's operations) consider closure of the facility based on issues of public trust, the age of the dams, and environmental necessities. Once FERC issues a license, it is valid for 50 years and nearly impossible to terminate. However, any change in operations opens up the licensing to environmental impact reports and public comment. Now is that time.
We have a small but very significant window in time where we as citizens can be heard. We can't trust the politicians to take care of us; please join FER in taking legal action to make these changes possible. A lawsuit will be filed against PGandE requesting that the sale of the Potter Valley Project be stopped and that the headwaters of the Eel River be returned to her natural course. Noted attorney and respected water rights expert Michael Jackson has agreed to represent us. Michael Jackson was one of the attorneys in the historic case, Mono Lake Water Return vs. the LA Water Company. Our suit is based on the same violation of public trust law used in that victory. This law goes back to Roman times and states that: "No one person can block or divert a waterway or use their land to the detriment of all" (a loose translation).
There is a $15,000 fee to cover initial expenses in order to file this action. (Mr. Jackson may pursue a fee award petition to cover additional expenses.) This is a very low price indeed to keep the mighty Eel River watershed and her fisheries from becoming history.
Our timing and your support are vital. The opposition has begun to gather. In 1995 Marin County paid Sonoma County $5 million to join forces in securing the continued flow of Eel River water to the south. Sonoma County is filling up with development and vineyards, with many residents/developers posturing as farmers to get water rights. Once these rights are obtained in California, the land often becomes a subdivision. Did you know there is a new town planned between Healdsburg and Cloverdale? Where are they planning to get the water? Mendocino County also is seeking diverted Eel River water. They have just created the Inland Water District, headed up by the Potter Valley Irrigation District. Is this an attempt to be in receivership of the project? Can Mendocino County afford the upkeep of an endeavor such as the Potter Valley Project without selling the Eel River water south?
A major fundraising/membership drive and coalition-building effort is underway. As of June 1997, Friends of the Eel River's efforts have been endorsed by the California Wilderness Coalition, Trees Foundation, the Mendocino Environmental Center, the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC), the California Cultural Conservancy, which makes sure Indian treaties are respected, the Northern California River Guides Association, and the California Sport Fishing Alliance. More are joining us every week. Thank you for joining us too!
September 1997 update. We have almost reached our $15,000 goal. This is mostly from small donations representing a lot of people, which is significant in the numbers of people who support this effort. The legal ball has started rolling, the paper work is in process and we will file our suit before January! Friends of the Eel River is now beginning to turn its attention to the garnering of public support in as large numbers as possible. Along with this continuing effort is also the development of the Eel River Council which will work to unite the restoration efforts in the watershed as a whole. This will be done by smaller watershed councils with representation on the larger watershed council. We do not want to create a hierarchical situation but to foster an area wide participatory process. We need to gather habitat information from you and in turn support restoration efforts as each council identifies its particular needs. Please attend upcoming community information meetings. Currently there is one scheduled for September 11th at 7 pm hosted by the Willits Grange in their building on School St, in Willits. There is also one scheduled on September 17th at 7pm at the Alderpoint Community Center. We would like to schedule more meetings, large and small, so please call or write us. Our phone is 459-9278, PO Box 1834 Willits, 95490 and our email is: frndeelr@zapcom.net. We look forward to meeting with you and thank you for your continuing support.
For the Rivers!
Nadananda
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1997
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited