Violent Elves on a Rampage of Property Destruction

A multimillion-dollar home destroyed by arson.

The remains of a radio tower toppled over by ecoterrorists.

Some tactics are more extreme than others. In the process of trying to make a goal clear, some individuals and groups fail due to violating laws.

On September 5th, 2009, a pair of radio towers near Seattle were destroyed by what some believe were "Elves". No, these weren't Santa’s elves of course, but rather the collective term for members of the ecoterrorist group called the Earth Liberation Front (ELF). In an e-mail from the North American Earth Liberation Front Press Office, it was stated the KRKO-AM towers were toppled due to environmental and health concerns. Jason Crawford, a spokesman for the extremist group, stated: "...Local residents do not need additional sports news radio towers that come at the expense of reduced property values and harmful radio waves."

The ELF consists of radicals that are accountable for numerous attacks since the '90s. Authorities found a banner with the initials of the group at the site. The crime scene is now being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

In a course of over ten years, KRKO-AM has desired to increase its transmission capacity by constructing more towers in the area. However, the area has been subjected in appeals and litigations over problems such as harming trumpeter swan habitat to possible human health risks.

This is only one example of destruction done by the ELF. In 1999, Marie Mason and other "Elves" set fire to Michigan State University's Agricultural Hall, resulting in over $1 million in damage. Mason is also accountable for $3 million in damage via other incidents, such as setting fire to boats owned by a mink rancher and annihilating homes under construction around Detroit and Indiana. Another incident: Three seven-figure homes were set aflame in a Seattle suburb; on the spot was a sign ridiculing the builders' claims that the houses were eco-friendly.

The above stories are disturbing to me, but not shocking. I was already aware of the ELF prior to now. What is your opinion on them and other extremist groups? Do you feel they get their point across (that humans are ravishing the Earth of its precious resources and it must be safeguarded), or do you think they've crossed the brink between sensibility and craziness? Personally, I appreciate their philosophy but I am repulsed by their actions. I feel there are more effective and legal ways to address environmental concerns. Groups like the ELF make all environmentalists look bizarre (at best) and look like misanthropic terrorists (at worst). In your opinion, what are alternative ways to promote environmental protection?

Sources:

Sabotage Fells 2 Radio Towers (New York Times)

Woman Gets 22 Years for '99 Mich. Campus Arson (CBS News)

Activists topple towers, claim dangers of AM radio waves (CNN)

Earth Liberation Front Believed Responsible for Arson at Multimillion-Dollar Seattle Homes (Huffington Post)