h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In Denver, a federal jury convicted sisters Ardeth Platte, 66, Jackie Hudson, 68, and Carol Gilbert, 55, of harming national defense. The nuns say they were peacefully protesting when they broke into the Minuteman III missile site near Greeley last October, and spilled their blood on federal property.

The nuns likely face five to eight years in prison and fines of at least $12,500 each. Sentencing is scheduled for July 25. The maximum sentance is 30 years. They were released today until sentancing. Due to poor health it may well be a "life sentance" for one of them.

The sisters were surprised by the jury's guilty verdict. They say, they have no regrets.

I am surprised too! Surely they could get probation and community service I hope so!

Good God, Abbi!
The whole time I was in Greeley I thought it was a (practically ) unspoilt rural area - and there were missile silo's there the whole time?
I've got to say I really am shocked!
Of course I'm also shocked at the nuns being incarcerated which does not say much for the democracy Bush claims to be defending at the moment. It also doesn't say much for the fact that Bush maintains to be on the side of God and has his wonderful little private prayer meetings before he gives the order to blow people up.
Unfortunately this of course also points a dirty finger at the jurors who will obviously be 'normal' civilians.
The irony is unbelievable.

The only concilation is the fact that Bush WILL burn in hell.

I just could not believe that when I read it! whats happening in the world these days? have we lost the plot or dropped the ball! I mean, Nuns in jail, it sounds like a movie title for a "Fiction Movie" The more crazy things I see & hear these days, makes me wonder, just what are we are about?
Smudger.

They are certainly brave women....

Our former minister told us about them some time ago. We all got a good chuckle out of the fact that two nuns armed ony with two wrenches managed to disarm the missile.

Then he said they would likely get life in prison.... sobering.

Sorry 3 nuns armed with wrenches.

I understand that they actually managed to dismantle it, though I could be wrong....

No they did not dismantel a missle to my knowledge.
They tore down the fence, small and febble as it was, any child could get into it. Unguarded and easy access was a HUGE part of their point. I wish they had the means to counter-sue. It IS a public health and safety issue to say the least. That circumstances they found it in is a security issue!

They cut a simple padlock, leaned on the fence and spilled their own blood on the area. No missle disarming or touching was done to my knowledge.Just the fence & blood.

The fence was a joke! That should be the isssue.
They are saying it is an example. People should not be messing with the security and defense property.

How IS IT they could & easily!?!? Irony in action.

This is the whole problem with the legal system no logic, or consideration of individual circumstances; how can there be any justice? This is a case where they should have taken the jury to the scene! I would be interested to know if there is a new fence or lock on that site now, camera et.

It is a wonder that they even remembered it was there...

Here is an article about it... there is a photo of the nuns walking through the gate.... It was less than shoulder high!

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/1204-06.htm

Photo: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/images/1206-03.jpg

Where does the law get off telling people they can't mess with national defense anyways? Whose nation is being defended?

Once again the point is almost totally lost.

There's a big, greedy, arrogant nation telling other nations they have no right to defend themselves with the very weapons that big, greedy, arrogant nation keeps stockpiled for who knows what nefarious purposes. What exactly is being defended and for who?

It should be a given that if those weapons were ever used, nobody would win, so what are they keeping them around for? So some maniac can annilate the entire human race and maybe 90 percent of the life on the planet?

The jury found those nuns guilty of violating the law because they were guilty, but the law is guiltier, and that means the people are guiltier because it is in the people's name that the law is made and enforced.

So the questions are:

1) Why are those weapons still being maintained?

2) Why are the laws protecting that maintenance still on the books?

Before anyone starts ragging on Korea, Syria, Iran or whoever they need to come up with some answers.

Because those same people are worried about the Russian equivalents falling into "the wrong hands". Maybe the American ones have already fallen into the wrong hands.

Think about it maybe.

I remember reading an analogy of the arms race.

It is like two men standing in a basement up to their necks in gasoline and arguing over who has the most matches.

I've said it a gazillion times.....
"Bush is a BOOB"
Lady Karen

That's a good analogy Mudhooks.
Nothing logical in having WMD.

You've got the right questions Analiese.

Sadly it has been like this ,long before Bush.
Karen I loved the twin joke you sent me. I copied it for twinny. I sure hope she joins hootoo when she can.

*AHNM

Glad I could inspire some laughter
Lady Karen

A lot of times, once things become institutionalized nobody thinks they need to be justified anymore.

The platitudes of politics take on a significance similar to religious dogma maybe. The Jesuits are still very much in control. They just don't wear black robes anymore unless they're judges. And of course they don't pray to God. They pray to Mammon and expect what was once rendered unto Caesar for their trouble.

"once things become institutionalized nobody thinks they need to be justified anymore"

That is the truth. Difficult human matters & conditions are institutionalisedThat way they do not have to be seen or thought about for long. They can be contained but not neccesarily protected by the rules.

I recently heard of a very experienced (and presumably 'older') mennonite-midwife called Freida M. Miller, being incarcerated in Holmesville, Ohio. Her crime was to give a life-saving drug to a woman who was haemorrhaging after childbirth I understand that midwifery is illegal in some states but if women cannot afford or choose not to give birth in hospital, then who will save their life if a crisis occurs? Midwives worldwide are morally bound to attend women in childbirth to ensure safe passage for mother and child.
This midwife was released, only to be jailed a second time for not informing on the doctor that supplied her with the drug in the first place
By the way, in the UK midwives are licenced to obtain and give this drug to women after childbirth as it is known to save lives.
I have written a letter of support to this midwife and sent details to Amnesty International. Please speak out against these injustices in any way you can

Oh my yes. It is quite a battle in some states. It is one of those areas that states control. Many areas have Dr wholly behind them. Some do not.

The medical profession here is varied and strong. They are quick to point fingers at alternative ways. There are many instances where hands are tied. What would have happen if she did not give it? She could have been up for horrific death charges.

It is so infuruating in this time of inadequate health care to further discredit the help that is available! The OB/GYN Dr.s have stopped delivering babies in many areas due to the mal practice concerns. So many women are without help that are poor or in rural areas not to mention women should have the choice of midwives available to them.

Just like birth & birth control/ prescriptions/end of life care issues , they block help from all directions, Sadly. We are so behind the rest of the free world in humane medicine. If you are wealthy and have private individual insurance, it seems supurb.I have so many beefs with the medical professions here and the government handcuffs on them.

Where can I write a letter of support for her?

The nuns wanted to make a statement. They have. Now they're going to pay for it. They show absolutly no remorse about breaking the law. They could get OR bonds if they just promise not to do it again. They're getting exactly what they want and exactly what they deserve.

OR ? What is that please?

One of the points they are trying to make is the safety of the easy access to it. I think if there were some aknowledgement of that ,they would choose another way. Really not sure though, it's not like I know them.

Own Recognizance - It means that you promise to appear in court, and you don't have to pay bail money.