Bidder 70

In 2008 a young environmental activist named Tim DeChristopher bid on 13 parcels of land quietly put up for auction by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the waning days of the Bush Administration. This land was part of a larger offering by the BLM of federal public land in an attempt to open it up to oil and gas exploration. The majority of the land was near national parks in southern Utah.

In an effort to derail any number of oil, gas, and mining interests from getting their claws into this land and endangering some of the last great places on earth, DeChristopher risked going to jail to stop it. This afternoon he was found guilty and jail seems more of a potential reality than ever.

Part of the statement issued this afternoon by U.S. Atty. Carlie Christensen praising the guilty verdict, alluded to DeChristopher's actions... "disrupting open public processes and causing financial harm to the government and other individuals." Really?

There's something wrong with this picture. Major financial institutions in this country brought the nation's economy to its knees yet not one person associated with the debacle is in jail. The human consequence of their actions is indescribably profound and not one person responsible for any of it went to jail. And yet the federal government prosecuted this young activist's act of civil disobedience and he now faces jail time.

Every day, oil, gas, mining and other energy and extractive industries are indiscriminately polluting our air, land and water as the new U.S. Congress works diligently to take away the power of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate their actions and protect the well-being of the nation's people. There's something wrong with this picture.

And when you consider that weeks after DeChristopher bid on his 13 parcels, a federal judge in essence agreed with him and blocked the sale of all the parcels, DeChristopher's prosecution becomes even more troubling. Add to that the fact that the Obama Administration's Dept of Interior said the overall sale was improper and pulled all the parcels from auction and DeChristopher's prosecution borders on absurd.

DeChristopher's defense team was barred from bringing either of these facts to the attention of the jury in arguing their case. There's something radically wrong with this picture.

To donate to the Tim DeChristopher legal defense fund, go to: www.bidder70.org

 

 

 

Comments

[colfaxdave]

02:53 AM on 03/07/2011

I'm not following Mr. DeChristopher to prison; he's shown himself foolish and impulsive. He is a poor role model.
With all the money Mr. Redford has, perhaps he should bid on oil and gas leases. I'm reasonably sure that if I were to get arrested for committing fraud at a government-run, public auction, nobody would come to my aid. Mr. Redford could jus t bail himself out of jail.

[desertmom]

05:11 PM on 03/06/2011

As far as I'm concerned, another bad mark against Obama. What he stated and promised as a candidate hasn't shown up as policy in any concrete form. I voted for him, and at this point, wouldn't make that mistake again. I'm looking forward to a true Progressive to challenge him in 2012. I've got 7 family members also disappointed with their votes for Obama, willing to support a Progressive. There are no excuses for his lack of spine in getting the bills passed through Congress when we held both houses.

[Jayne Stahl]

03:25 PM on 03/06/2011

Heartfelt thanks for bringing this important injustice to the attention of the general public, Mr. Redford.

As you say, "There's something wrong with this picture. Major financial institutions in this country brought the nation's economy to its knees yet not one person associated with the debacle is in jail."

Those who corrupt the moral environment not to mention the natural environment are too often
rewarded with egregious bonuses, and ever increasing compensation plans, but those who
work to make the world a more honest, and safer place face the dubious reward of jail time, and extradition treaties.

[phyrne]

01:57 PM on 03/06/2011

Shame population in other oil producing countries cant do the same thing

[abbienormal]

09:29 PM on 03/05/2011

There need to be more acts of civil disobedience like this. I am saving up money to purchase RGGI emissions credits to give away as gifts to my friends. Perfectly legal but would make a difference if more people and organizations did it.

[lyra201]

05:39 PM on 03/05/2011

these are dangerous times but it seems that some people are waking up to the ecocide and plutocracy and etc. i didn't know about this situation but i'll forward the information elsewhere.

[MadAs]

08:52 PM on 03/06/2011

"Waking up"? Maybe, but only to roll over to nurse their hangover of puffy-faced, limp-brained myopia.

What was the latest percentage of our countrymen and women that don't believe in evolution, let alone a planetary disaster?

[Flower Power 68]

02:40 PM on 03/05/2011

I see this issue somewhat differently, I think. I see it as a symptom of a much larger problem:
For some time now, I've felt that some of the very same governmental agencies that are tasked with protecting our land, and her resources, are proving to be some of her worst enemies. It seems that every time we turn around, we're hearing of some problem resulting from the failing of one of these agencies (BLM, Dept of Ag, Fish and Game, DNR, etc...)
At this point, I feel it's hard to say whether these situations continue to arise due to ineptitude or corruption. Either way, I feel it has become an imperative that these problems be investigated and dealt with BEFORE anything worse can happen. This situation, is by no means, the only case where the BLM (among other agencies) have been called out on some kind of major screw-up. Rather, it's only the latest in a long line. Somebody needs to be held accountable for this, so that stuff like this doesn't KEEP happening.

[DebS 789]

01:56 PM on 03/12/2011

A major part of the problem is that the government agencies that are supposed to protect us (whether from bankers, pharmaceutical companies, or energy companies) are simply career stepping stones into employment with the very companies they are charged with monitoring. Who wants to risk making a bad impression on a future employer?

[spark340]

01:40 PM on 03/05/2011

Yes I look back on the days of the Clinton Administration as well when California Forests were being clearcut and gold mining was taking place in National Parks .

[Phillip Rhoades]

08:52 AM on 03/06/2011

The Hardrock Mining Act is the problem with the gold, not the President It gives folks the right to do so. Especially if the mine has been vetted, the property transfers over to private ownership. But try changing the law....nearly impossible the last 20 years. Too much polarity in politics.

[Godfearing]

12:24 PM on 03/05/2011

I am sure Mr. Redford would recommend Mark Hertsgaard's new book, "HOT ~ LIVING THE NEXT FIFTY YEARS ON THIS PLANET!"

We got trouble right here in River City!!

[CB5]

11:18 AM on 03/05/2011

This is the latest info on Tim and his efforts

http://www.peacefuluprising.org/
http://www.bidder70.org/

[batguano]

10:28 AM on 03/05/2011

Bravo Robert; it is an obscenity, but expected, that activists like Tim are prosecuted, or held in abusive detention like Pfc Manning, and those who directly caused so many millions to lose their savings, homes or their children’s future, are given promotions, government positions or receive daily wages that many earn in a year; obscenity. The power of the greedy-rich and business interests to call the shots via campaign contribution cash is out of all bounds. Our elected "leaders" are so beholden to this perversion of the Founders vision of government of the people, by the people and for the people, that their moral compass is permanently out of order. Only by speaking-out loudly and continually may we possibly begin to defer the further rapid erosion of our liberties and electoral process; not likely though given the power of money to corrupt and buy our elected reps and legislation.

[Sherry Ackerman]

02:03 AM on 03/05/2011

Yes, there is something VERY wrong with this picture. It's time to re-read Naomi Wolf's Blueprint
( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-wolf/ten-steps-to-close-down-a_b_46695.html ) for the closing of a democracy. DeChristopher's conviction was another step away from an open democracy. The noose is being tightened. If We, The People don't get to work--and fast!--it's going to be too late.

[Krista Bowers]

12:30 AM on 03/05/2011

You are absolutely correct. Justice was NOT served. I was there to hold space and bear witness to it. While I appreciate your post, Mr. Redford, I do have a question for you...where were you this week as Tim was taking one for the team? I was at the courthouse every day, singing my heart out for the duration of Tim's trial, and did not see you there. I seem to recall that you were a signer of a letter of support for Tim, but you couldn't show up even for one day? Was that too much to ask of you?

[Project4NuBostonTeaParty]

07:40 AM on 03/05/2011

.
I remember a time when Robert Redford was much more visible on these issues. He seems to be taking a back seat these days. Is he losing his faith in righting the wrongs? Has he become more of a privacy seeker? I'm disappointed in him for this, too. Good that Tim has supporters like you.

I also blame Obama; his Justice Dept. seems to be anything but. We knew Bush was corrupt, but what's Obama's excuse? Look at the current national legal focus: Bradley Manning, Julian Assange, this case. Complete over-reaction to all three of the accused. And what's with all the legislation against the new, faux, national-security threat: Environmental "terrorists"? We are living in some very dark times, self-imposed by our leaders. RIP, American justice.

.

[Godfearing]

12:26 PM on 03/05/2011

For what Robert Redford has contributed to this cause, your comments sadly miss the point.

[Phillip Rhoades]

08:56 AM on 03/06/2011

Manning committed treason. Of course the Executive Branch is going to try them. Very little choice there.

That said, they are handling him in a very questionable, and allegedly illegal, manner. If the allegation are true than persecuters need to be brought to justice.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

11:14 PM on 03/04/2011

Stirring piece, Mr. Robert sir, and unfortunately accurate concerning the privilege that position or industry money buys for many. One of my favorite sayings since the refusal by Congressional Democrats and this administration to even investigate (much less prosecute) the known War Crimes committed by those giving orders in the previous administration is, "A 'conditional' Rule of Law is one that doesn't really exist." I have no doubts that circumstance has not escaped one PFC Bradley Manning. Likewise, a government of frequent hypocrisy arrests and destroys the lives of thousands every month for a weed less harmful than tobacco or alcohol, while the bankers making Hundred$ of MILLION$ annually laundering the profits from black markets created and protected by that government - are also never investigated.

Something else I've harped on for years is that ALL corruption concerning enforcement of OUR country's laws begins and ends with industry lobbyist 'bundled' campaign contribution checks delivered daily to nearly EVERY member of CONgress regardless of on which side of the 'invisible isle' they live. But, it goes beyond enforcement and also greatly affects creation and protection of corrupted laws. That BOTH parties refuse to even discuss reform of campaign financing proves just how much they're really a 'single party system' corrupted by greed, and why voters on the right and left so often feel 'played' like fiddles.

Thanks for being conscientious about injustice in OUR world for so long, and writing about the 'conditional' Rule of Law - that doesn't really exist.

[MadAs]

12:40 AM on 03/05/2011

Yep, Eric the Hold upholds justice as effectively as John the Boehn slams down the gavel for Americans' future. We need a Mission Madison to accelerate them both to self-destruct into the golf course gang of yesterday's thugs..

[Lisa Guest]

10:56 PM on 03/04/2011

Thank you for writing this. It is ludicrous to persecute him when we know exactly who robbed this country blind and we do NOTHING about that.