Des Lyons 3 Comments
Give them “VC’s” not punishment
The Waihopai Valley break-in trial is riveting. Our monetarist Government is hell bent on pinning property-damage convictions on civil activists on the one hand and the defendants are arguing that our laws must uphold principles of justice on the other.
Social justice gaining precedent of legalism would be a revolution in itself.
It is in the words of one of the defendant’s lawyers is is “a meeting of the law, morality and humanity, with the accused defending those unable to defend themselves”
Like all true prophets, they have acted with selfless love for humanity in a pursuit of justice for others. They denounce the brutal, cruel and oppressive wars of our times. They denounce wars that kill innocent and poor people. Wars that will inevitably breed greater terrorism – both abroad and here in New Zealand. Such life-saving prophets deserve VCs – not punishment.
Let us pray that they will be acquitted if for no other reason they are on the side of the prophets, who once despised have become international heroes. We need look no further than the Christian and un-religious: Jesus, Einstein, Martin Luther King, Ivan Illich, John Keynes, Oscar Romero, Smedley D Butler, Paulo Friere, Mahatma Gandhi, Dom Helder Camara – and Mandela.
Also may the mere trio take comfort from the words of the Dalai Lama “If you think you are too small to make a difference try sleeping with a mosquito.” Or the words of Anthropologist Margaret Mead “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”.
This week’s reflections
3 Comments
TriciaK
Michael Tyler
I hate to disagree but I think the three men got what they deserved and would do well to accept whatever punishment is given them.
I am not for spying of any sort but there are ways and means of protest without breaking the law and as Jesus said, "Render unto Caeser the things that are Caeser's" which can be interpreted to mean "You must obey the laws of the land, and if not, you do the crime you do the time."
Michael Tyler
Comment continued … They commited the crime, they should accept the punishment with the stoicism of Ghandi, the Dahlai Llama, Jesus and not complain because they were caught. It is the only ethical thing to do, the fact of the matter is if you don't like the law then by all means protest for the law to be changed, write to your MP, run for local government, in a democratic society we are fortunate to have ways and means to express our opinions without resorting to damage of property and subsequent bellyaching because you were caught in the act should not be encouraged. Jesus didn't run when confronted by the law at the garden of Gethsemane, these men should not run either.
Good on them for having a social conscience but there are ways to get things done, they took the easy and illegal way and should pay for it.
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I am glad to see the actions of the 3 men at Waihopai discussed in the media. Scoop had an approving report of the first day's hearing, and the court reporter for National Radio gave a factual account. No bombast or hubris. I may not have taken the same action – deflating the dome – but I believe that covert spying on our citizens for a foreign government is not furthering the course of justice, and I admire the courage of the three. We need more prophetic voices in our determinedly secular nation.