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April 06, 2005
Seppo Lahtela Thinks We're Terrorists
A Finnish Centre Party MP says Greenpeace is a terrorist organisation! Seppo Lahtela, MP - who seems to have fallen prey to a bad case of hyperbole, says in yesterday's Lapin Kansa that "the State must take decisive and brave actions to get Greenpeace out of state-owned land. Police must ask for help from the Finnish Army and Frontier Guards to remove the heavy containers which are causing damage to the sensitive environment".
"If we now give in to Greenpeace in Upper Lapland, there is a danger that this terrorizing by environmental NGOs will in future spread itself to other parts of Finland".
[italics are mine]
Ever feel like you've been confused with someone else? Maybe we should send email to Mr Lahtela, telling him that we're not a terrorist organisation! And maybe invite him round to the Forest Rescue Station for a coffee?
A Green MP, Anni Sinnemäki, on the other hand, spoken up in our favour, in the same newspaper; She says that "in Finland we live in an international open market economy - use of our forest is part of the international discussion or debate. Also the international NGOs have right to act here. I don't understand the standpoint that Greenpeace has no right to exist."
Green MP Anni Sinnemäki
Note: NGO = Non Governmental Organisation, like Greenpeace, etc.
- Dave
Posted by Dave at April 6, 2005 04:32 PM
Comments
He didn't say you are terrorists like some suicide bombers.
But he did say that you are terrorizing in Lapland, and I completely agree.
Posted by: Eino-Kalevi at April 8, 2005 07:10 AM
Oh come on Eino - you don't think it's a bit extreme for a politician to be referring to a group of unarmed environmentalists in such a way?
Posted by: dave at April 8, 2005 09:28 AM
Terrorism does not require arms and guns.
Posted by: Eino-Kalevi at April 8, 2005 10:18 AM
Mister Lahtela,
and what about the heavy forwarders and harvesters in the old grown forests?
Do you think they will not cause damage to the ground?
Posted by: hitsch at April 8, 2005 11:44 AM
Terrorizing doesn't need arms or guns.
Posted by: Eino-Kalevi at April 12, 2005 01:29 AM
To Eino-Kalevi,
"But he did say that you are terrorizing in Lapland"
So thats OK then - they are just "terrorizors" not terrorists?
Whether you agree with Greenpeace or not, I can't see how a bunch of hippies (sorry Greenpeace!) in a portacabin in the forest can be construed as terrorizing anyone. Mr. Lahtela must be a bit of a wimp if he finds this scary.
Posted by: TA at April 12, 2005 02:48 PM
