luddite badass

[rosenlake at mac.com]

Alexander Cockburn on José Bove (<http://www.counterpunch.org/>
(if a new story has taken its place, find it under "New Stories" on the left):

In answer to the prosecutor's accusation in Montpellier that he
and his companions were mere Luddites, Bove replied, "Why refuse
something which is presented as 'progress'? It's not because
of old-fashionedness, or regrets for the good old days. It's
because of concern for the future, and because of a will to have
a say in future developments. I'm not opposed to fundamental
research. I think it would be illusory and detrimental to want
to curb it. On the other hand, I don't think that every application
of research is necessarily desirable, at the human, social or
environmental level. And the only regret that I have now is that
I wasn't able to destroy more of it."
...
Quoting Lincoln, Christison [president of [U.S.] National Family Farm
Coalition] told the French court that "We testify on behalf of our
fellow farmers as they seek economic and social justice. Corporate
globalization, flawed agriculture and trade policy are the real
problems. These farmers made an effort to abide by the law when looking
for a solution but found there was no other recourse."
...
Bove wound up his speech from the dock thus: "Yes,
the action was illegal; but I lay claim to it because it was
legitimate. I don't demand clemency, but justice. Either we have
acted in everyone's interests and you will acquit us, or we have
shaken the establishment and in that case you will punish us.
There is no other issue."

--
Eric R

P.S. Much calmer now, bottle of wine close at hand, dinner in the oven .
. .