TMT construction begins Monday 15 July

[kalakoa]

If the protesters kill the TMT will it then, after the big celebrations, inspire them on to get back to what the really want?

They'll fade away until the next billion-dollar project.

[knieft]

quote:

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Originally posted by knieft

@TomK

Unbelievable.

Kirt

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Any policeish authorities around? Did they just ignore or what?

Embarrassed of my species again and again.

Kirt

[TomK]

My understanding is that police (local and DOCARE) were nearby but didn't intervene. The officers are stationed a little bit farther up the access road.

[kalakoa]

Embarrassed of my species again and again.

Don't worry, extinction will take care of that, sooner than later.

[ironyak]

kalakoa - Who will be liable for the damage? The roadblock is "illegal" under the "rule of law", right?
KeaauRich - If the Gemini Observatory threatened to sue the county for any damages resulting from failure to maintain access for their staff

While I entirely think the government should be sued, especially if damages occur, it's commonly said that it's basically impossible to bring suit for failure to enforce the law. The second answer here is a good summary of the reasons why (pay special attention to Castle Rock v Gonzales)

https://politics.stackexchange.com/quest...minal-laws

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

TomK copied:
Observatory technician car denied access to telescopes for critical maintenance

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[TomK]

I believe at least part of the incident was videoed by one of the technicians.

[glinda]

Am I right to assume if need be the techs can get to the summit via helicopter? I know helicopters go that high, I have been there in a few times, and several times on the summit of Mauna Loa. Seems to me this would be the most non confrontational way to get things done. Could slip in and out without anyone knowing if approach from Hamakua side.

[TomK]

I think it's fair to say that if alternative ways of getting to the summit were being discussed, I'd certainly not be daft enough to discuss them publicly.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

videoed by one of the technicians.

I thought it might get protestors to consider their potential personal and individual liabilities. Sometimes that’s lost when people think they’ll go unnoticed when they’re part of a group.
It could also encourage future interactions which are non-confrontational on both sides.