04-02-2015, 09:51 AM
Respected Opihikao, civil disobedience has been an integral part of the American political scene for some time now, and it has its uses. Thus, the Hawaiian demonstrators are behaving in a quintessentially American fashion. Along with that approach comes the likelihood of arrest, which all the participants were warned of well in advance. Yes, it hurts your heart to see Aunty handcuffed, but she had to know it would happen, and the cops have a procedure that they are required to follow for a number of reasons.
The TMT has gone through a long (and I think precisely followed) permitting process with multiple appeals involving both the permitting bodies and the courts. The construction crews have a right to do their work and travel on a public road. Although I disagree with the protestors, I do have some respect for anyone willing to go to that length for priciple. They knew there would be consequences, however, and the arrests were entirely legal and proper. JMHO
The TMT has gone through a long (and I think precisely followed) permitting process with multiple appeals involving both the permitting bodies and the courts. The construction crews have a right to do their work and travel on a public road. Although I disagree with the protestors, I do have some respect for anyone willing to go to that length for priciple. They knew there would be consequences, however, and the arrests were entirely legal and proper. JMHO