(1) Sierra Club to promote “peaceful civil disobedience.” That’s beyond oxymoron. If they promote steps to prevent legitimate business to operate, it ain’t peaceful. If you got past the title of the press release, you probably should have stopped once you read this nonsense (i.e. go check out the science on this stuff, dear bastions of science): “Recognizing the imminent danger posed by climate disruption, including record heat waves, drought, wildfires and the devastation of superstorm Sandy,”
(2) This is what counts now for important academic research. We’re doomed.
So, if a Sierra Club member decides to peacefully prevent me from filling up my car with gasoline, what is the appropriate response?
I don’t see why it’s an oxymoron. Someone stands in front of the machines building a pipeline, or cutting down a tree, street art…aren’t these all peaceful protests?
The pipeline company should sue the Sierra club for damages, which would include not just the cost of the crew and the equipment (an hour lost is a lot of money) but also the time value of the lost revenue. It might tie up a lot of Sierra club lawyers. Get a jury trial in Texas. Take a lot of pictures. Subpoena all relevant e-mails. Seize hard drives. Disbar lawyers for encouraging lawless acts.
In response to the hypothetical question posed…. Perhaps this would get their attention: Instead of putting the gasoline in your car, pour it over your head and light a match, but first explain that you are “peacefully disobeying” in order to defend the quaint notion of property rights…