The post regarding The Killing Of The Golden Spruce on this Blog is not the only variant of a scorched earth defense of the forests in an asymmetrical war against powerful corporate enemies and their allies intent on devouring these very resources to the detriment of the population.
A scorched earth policy is a military strategy or operational method which involves destroying anything that might be useful to the enemy while advancing through or withdrawing from an area. Although initially referring to the practice of burning crops to deny the enemy food sources, in its modern usage the term includes the destruction of infrastructure such as shelter, transportation, communications and industrial resources. The practice may be carried out by an army in enemy territory, or its own home territory. It may overlap with, but is not the same as, punitive destruction of an enemy’s resources, which is done for purely strategic/political reasons rather than strategic/operational reasons.
Even the Greedy have Pet Trees
BOYCOTT and SHUNNING can have the same effect, if requiring more patience. Picket lines and recording the images, license numbers, and names of those (or labor organizations) who cross it should be thrown into the mix. Again, this requires commitment and perseverance.
As to ethical/moral/legal considerations AND PARADOXES, consider the following description of crimes against humanity and the environment promoted by the criminal corporations intent on pursuing a policy of BioMassacre for profit…literally a scorched earth strategy in and of itself:
The strategy of destroying the food supply of the civilian population in an area of conflict has been banned under Article 54 of Protocol I of the 1977 Geneva Conventions. The relevant passage says:
It is prohibited to attack, destroy, remove, or render useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, such as foodstuffs, agricultural areas for the production of foodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations and supplies, and irrigation works, for the specific purpose of denying them for their sustenance value to the civilian population or to the adverse Party, whatever the motive, whether in order to starve out civilians, to cause them to move away, or for any other motive.[1]
Despite being prohibited, it is still a common practice. The protocol only applies to those countries that have ratified it, notable exceptions being the United States, Israel, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and Iraq. Click HERE for more info on this topic.
See: Patton Rallies The Community.
A wholesale slaughter of the forests themselves isn’t necessary in such a strategy. The GOLDEN SPRUCE gives testimony to this. In fact, the wealthy owners of these corporations and corrupt organizations (e.g. TESC) are loathe to have their tender eyes behold the ravages of BioMassacre. THEIR forests are beautifully tended and left untouched by the scythe of corporate greed. That blade is left to fall on the poor and rural inhabitants being promised ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’ much as some destitute people/minorities are offered $ for their organs.
BioMassacre represents an important element of social injustice with the exception this particular chicken has come home to roost in our backyards. It’s taking place NOW before our very eyes and we will be the first to enjoy the ills it affords.
Act now!…either unilaterally or in concert with others. YOU can boycott businesses and individuals who promote the destruction of our health, our quality of life. YOU can refuse to do business with them…ALL of them, including members of the Mason Chamber of Commerce that supports this hostile occupying force. If you’re not the OWNER of a business, but only an employee, consider being slow to cater to one of the enemy. Let them remain on hold, if they call, for 5 minutes or more. Do not SPEAK to or ACKNOWLEDGE them. In short, treat them about the way our elected representatives have been treating the public regarding this issue. Don’t whine! Be proactive. Be creative. Be aggressive and be careful! They have the $, the big political names (even Senator Patty Murray), the Obama Administration, the highest offices in Washington State, and the police powers of the State behind them.
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Another ‘scorched earth’ strategy is the aggressive pursuit of lawsuits and obtaining intervenor status starting NOW. Rely, primarily, on ‘small arms’ lawsuits. Throwing money at pricey environmental attorneys may seem effective in the short run, but when the $ runs out, they won’t remember your name. By filing simpler Do-It-Yourself suits, you will have much more staying power. You’ll also help educate your neighbors.
Money spent on education of the public has the advantage of creating a collective memory which $ to expensive attorneys does not.
