Thestoryofonesmallgroupseffortsatresistingwar and

LIBERATING

PINEGAP
Inanageofuniversaldeceit,tellingthetruthisarevolution act!GeorgeOrwell


CONTENTS
Introduction......................................................................................................................... 1 EmailfromBaghdadAWitnesstoTerror......................................................................... 3 Enteringthe'gap'betweenwhat'srightandwhat'slegal................................................... 8 PeaceonEarth................................................................................................................... 4 1 TheCharges....................................................................................................................... 7 1 PineGaponTrial................................................................................................................ 8 1

Written by Christians Against All Terrorism Any people wishing to become involved in our actions would be most welcome, however. Contact Jim Dowling on (07)3425 3003 or email to penangke@octa4.net.au or see http://pinegap6.livejournal.com/ Typeset in Calibri by LeftPress Cover Photo of Adele at Pine Gap Copyright Christians against All Terrorism 2007 ISBN

INTRODUCTION

Thisbookletisattemptstoservetwopurposes.Thefirstistoexplaintheactionsofa smallgroupofpeopleresistingAustralianwarmaking.AftertheSeptember11,2001
attacksintheUS,theAustraliangovernmentpromisedtosupportwhateverbloodthirsty revengetheUSdecidedtotakeandhasresolutelykeptthatpromise.Thisisdespite overwhelmingpublicoppositiontothewarinIraq.Beforethe2003invasion,overtwo thirdsofAustraliansopposedthewar.Themostrecentpoll(October2007)shows64% opposingourpresencethererightnow.Tragically,however,thereisrarelyany acknowledgementoftheterriblewrongwehavedonetoIraq.Pathetically,discussion oftencentersontheneedtogetoutbecausethereisnothingmorewecandotohelp. Suchisthepowerofpatriotismandpropagandatopreventanyfocusontherealissues inatimeofwar. Pollsandsurveysarealsobeingdone inIraqdespitethechaoswhichreigns. TheIraqCentreforResearchand StrategicStudies(ICRSS)recently releasedpollresultsshowing90%of Iraqisbelievetheyareworseoffthan beforetheUSledinvasion.Despite thefactthatnowmostofthe slaughterisIraqisfightingone another,thesamesurveyshowedthat 66%ofIraqisbelievethesecurity situationwouldimproveifthe occupiersleft.MorethanhalfofIraqis nowsupportviolentattacksagainst theoccupiers. AsecondindependentstudybyORB,a Britishpollingagencyhasconfirmed themuchpublicizedLancetreportson violentdeathsinIraq. Both surveysconcludethatoveronemillion Iraqishavenowbeenkilledsinceour invasion.Thisfarsurpassesthe "For a long time during those frightful years I waited for a great voice to speak up (in the Church). I, an unbeliever? Precisely. For I knew that the spirit would be lost if it did not utter a cry of condemnation when faced with force... That they should get away from abstraction and confront the bloodstained face history has taken on today. The grouping we need is a grouping of people resolved to speak out clearly and pay up personally. Albert Camus reflecting on the Church and WW11

Rwandangenocidefigureof800,000.Unicefreportsthatmalnutritionamongstchildren continuestorise,while,asIwrite,acholeraoutbreakisspreadingthroughoutIraq.Prior totheinvasiontheBaghdadmorguereceivedtwentybodiespermonthofpeoplekilled violently.Nowthatfigureregularlypasses2000,manybrutallytorturedandleftfordead onthestreets.Inourabsurdclaimtobefightingawaronterrorwehaveterrorizeda wholeanation.TheUNnowclaimsover4.2millionIraqisarerefugees.Thinkofita countrywithnotmanymorepeoplethanAustralia,andapopulationbiggerthan Queenslandsfleeingtheirhomes.

InDecember2005ChristiansAgainstAllTerrorismtraveledtocentralAustraliatodo whatwecouldtoexposeandresistAustraliaslargestcontributiontotheWarcrime whichistheinvasionandoccupationofIraq.Thissmallbookletreprintsthearticleswe wroteasouractionunfoldedessentiallytheleadup,theaction,andthetrial.AsIwrite wearestillawaitingtheoutcomeoftheStatesappealagainsttheleniencyofour sentencing,astheyattemptoncemoretosendustojail.Thesecondpurposeofthis bookletistoencourageotherstoresistinwhateverwaytheycan.Theoftrepeated sentencebearsrepeatingonemoretime.Allthatisrequiredforeviltoflourishisfor goodpeopletodonothing.Ofcoursenoteveryonecantaketheactiondescribedinthe 2

followingpages,soIwillleaveyourformofresistanceuptoyou.Themainthingistodo somethingtoresisttheviolencebeingdoneinourname. Anypeoplewishingtobecomeinvolvedinouractionswouldbemostwelcome, however.Youcanphonemeon(07)34253003oremailtopenangke@octa4.net.au Peace,JimDowling,October2007

EMAILFROMBAGHDADAWITNESSTOTERROR
Beforethe2003invasionofIraq,DonnaMulhearnfeltcalledtojoinagroupof WesternersinBaghdadwhobecameknownasHumanShields.Theyplacedthemselves atpotentialciviliantargetsafternotifyingtheUSoftheirpositions.Althoughtheycould notstopthewar,noneoftheplacestheywereprotectingwerebombedwhiletheywere there.(AtleastoneplacewasbombedimmediatelyafterHumanShieldsleft). AftertheinvasionDonnareturnedhometoAustralia,InNovember2003shewentback toBaghdadtohelpthenumerousstreetchildrenmadehomelessbythewar.Shestarted ahomeforsomeofthemcalledMyHomeIraq,andlateraschooldesignedtohelp childrenwithtrauma.ThefollowingisanemailDonnasentbacktoAustraliaonthe8th February2004.ItcanperhapsexplainalittlewhyChristiansAgainstAllTerrorismrisked ourlibertytoresistournationsongoingroleinterrorizingawholenation. Dearfriends, LittleMohamedlovestodraw.HiscolourfulpicturesincludetypicalIraqiscenes:palm trees,abigsun,bluesky,andofcoursethetanks,choppers,bulletsandbloodwhichare partofeverydaylifehere. Hetakestimetodrawthemingreatdetail,especiallythebloodspurtingoutfromthe bodiesontheground.ThetanksandsoldiersdoingthekillingalldisplayAmericanflags. Haider,14,getsangryquickly.Hesnapsandlashesoutviolentlyattheotherkids.He alsopracticesselfmutilation.Oncewhenhewasangry,hesmashedawindowwithhis fist,grabbedapieceofjaggedglassandslashedhisarmsinfrontofus. Haiderisanexceptionallysmartandtalentedboy.WhenIaskedhimifhewantstogo backtoschool.HeansweredemphaticallyNo!

Icausetroubleinschool,heexplained. Why?Iasked.BecauseImangry,hesaidshakinghisfistsintheair. Whyareyouangry? Imjustangry,hesaid.Imveryangry. Manyoftheotherboyswemeetareangrytoo.Theyareviolent,agitated,tense.Some haventplayedandlaughedformonths.Itsasiftheyveforgottenhow. TheseboysreflectthestateofmillionsofchildrenacrossIraqwhoaresufferingacute traumaasaresultoftheinvasion,theoccupation,adecadeofharshsanctions,andlife underanoppressiveregime. Thestreetkidsarethetipoftheiceberg,saysDrAliRasheedfromtheIraqPost TraumaticStressDisorderProgram. Ineveryfamilychildrenaresuffering,hetellsus. Because50%oftheIraqipopulationisbelowtheageof14,thismeansmillionsof childrenanentiregenerationarecurrentlysufferingpsychologicalstress. Imnotsurprised. Manyofmyfriends,welladjustedadults,whowatchedthewarinintensefrustration havesincebeenstruckwithprofoundsadness,insatiableangerandasenseof helplessnessthatis,attimes,debilitating. AsformeexperiencingtheemotionalheavinessoflivinginprewarIraqandthen enduring12daysoftheshockandawebombingcampaignofBaghdadwasenoughto sendmebonkers. Myexperiencewastypical:Regularearsplittingexplosions,sleepdeprivationbecause yourbedshakeseverynightwhenthebombingstarts.Thewindowsrattle,andoften smash,theroaroftheplanesoverheadbringswithitananxietythatcausesaconstant clenchingofteeth. Wonderingiftonightisthenightyouregoingtodieweighssoheavyinyourgutitfeels constantlysick.Watchingothersdiearoundyouleavesyoubrokenandempty.Tryingto 4

comfortthemournerleavesyouexhausted,powerlessandconstantlyasking:didIdo enough? PostTraumaticStressDisorderhasaffectedmyentirelife.Afterreturninghomefrom thewarlastyearIbecamesoangryIcouldbarelyholdaconversation.WheneverIheard anaeroplaneoverheadIgrimacedontheinside,coveredmyearsandcurleduponthe ground.Ihatedtogooutandsocialise,soIstopped.AlthoughIhadabookdeal,I couldntwriteanymore,soIstopped.Icriedeverydayforsixmonths.Somuchitmade mesickwithnausea.Iwasacompletebasketcase.MyDoctorreferredmetoa Psychiatrist. Thatwasmearelativelystrong,resourcefuladult.Imaginehowitaffectedthekids. Likethekidwhofoundhismothersbodylyingcoldintherubbleafteramissile accidentallyhitthewronghouse. Thegirlwhostartedvomitingasshehidunderherbedeverynightwhenthebuilding startedtoshake.Itshooksohardthatthewindowssmashedalloverherbedroomfloor, andtheexplosionsweresoloudtheyrippedthroughherbodyandshethoughtherhead mightexplode.Thenitallstartedagainthenextnight. Theboywhowatchedhismotherweepuncontrollablybecauseshewasoneofmany womentoloseherunbornbabyasaresultofsufferingshockfromtheterrorbombing campaignofBaghdad.Acampaignthatwasnotdesignedtohittargetsbuttoterrorize andcreatefear.Itworked. ThinkoflittleOmar,whoImetinahospitalonedayduringthewar.Hehadjustlosthis entirefamilywhenhishousewasbombed.Hesnowanorphan.Thenurseswereafraid totellhimbecausetheyfearedtheshockwouldkillhim.Imaginehowhemightbe feelingnow. Andtheresthe12yearoldboywhosuddenlybecametheheadofhishouseholdafter hissoldierfatherreportedfordutybeforethewarandnevercamehome.Notevena body.HisfatherisjustastatisticnowIraqimilitarycasualtiesastatisticthatisnever spokenof.Hismothersendshimouttothestreettobegsothefamilycansurvive. Thinkofthelittlegirlwhosawherlittlebrotherslegsblownoffbyoneofthethousands ofbrightlycolouredclusterbombsthatnowliethroughthefieldsinIraq.

NowthinkaboutthekiddiesinSamarawhowereherdedintoacornerandhandcuffed whentheAmericansraidedtheirhouseinthemiddleofthenightwieldingmachineguns justlastweek.Whowatchedtheirmotherbeinghumiliatedasshewassearchedby foreignmenandtotopthehumiliation,theyputheroutontothestreettostandinthe coldinhernightdress. ThinkofthekidsinBaladwhoscreamedwhensoldierstookawaytheirfatherwithasack overhisheadbecausethemilitaryheardthathehadspokebadlyoftheAmericans. Theyvecriedeverynightforsixmonthsbecause theyvebeenrefusedavisit.Hesbeendetained Because we want Peace withoutchargeortrial.Theydontknowwhenthey with half a heart willseehimagain.Thefamilynowliveswithoutan incomeandstrugglestosurvive. Half a life and will ThinkofthechildrenofBaghdadwhohavehadfour oftheirlargefamilyamusementparksconfiscated andtransformedintouglymilitarybases.Where therewereonceFerrisWheelstherearenowtanks, wheretherewereslipperydipstherearemunitions stores.BaghdadIslandhasbeenrenamedBandit Islandthesoldierstherehavemadealargeskullthe newlogo.Duringtheschoolholidaysthisweekin IraqlargebannersaroundBaghdadasked:Where willthechildrenplay? ImaginehowthekidsinAlAlmariyiafeltwhentheir schoolwassurroundedbytanks,thegunspointed towardsthemand15studentsdraggedawayandput intojail.Allbecausetheywereinthevicinityofan antiUSdemonstrationheldthedaybefore. the warmaking Continues Because the making of war is total But the making of Peace By our cowardice is Partial Dan Berrigan

ThinkofthekidsinOjua,anentirevillagenowsurroundedbyrazorwireandconcrete. Theycantleavehometoplayattheparkunlesstheyhavepermissionandapass.The tanksparkoutsidetheirhomes:thechoppersswoopwiththeirthunderouswings overheadallday. Imagineexperiencinganyoftheabove.

Imagineexperiencingitasafiveyearoldboyoraneightyearoldgirl. Imaginewhatthatmightdotoyou.Toyourmind,yourheart,yourbody,yourspirit. Icanshedabitoflight. AccordingtoDrAli,forastart,nightmares,bedwettingandpanicattacksarecommon. Othersymptomsoftraumaincludedeficiencyininitiative,lessinterestinschool, creatingtroubleathomeandschool,readingdifficulties. Apprehension,anxiety,obsessivebehaviorwilldeveloplater.HesaysPostTraumatic Stresscoulderuptafterweeks,monthsoryears. ThestatisticonIraqsageisstaggering.Halfthepopulationisunder14.Thatmeansthe recentwarwas,ineffect,awaragainstchildren. Andletsspareathoughtfortheotherpartoftheequation.AreporthasfoundthatUS soldiersinIraqaresufferingPostTraumaticStressinrecordnumbers.Suicidesare unusuallyhigh.Familiesoftheservicemenandwomenbackathomealsosufferextreme stressandsecondarytrauma. Buthealingispossible.Andwecanbepartofit. OurHomeIraqsnewprojectisbasedonthefactthatwebelieveitisourresponsibility tohelpIraqichildrenhealfromtheirtraumaandreachtheirfullpotential. Illsharewithyounexthowwecandothistogether. Yourpilgrim Donna(Mulhearn) PS:Theboysarewell,blossominglikeflowers. PPS:ThankstoallwhovesaidprayersformyMumandthankstoMarthaforyourvisit. Mumsinrehabnowandisdoingwell. PPPS:Withtheirtanksandtheirbombsandtheirbombsandtheirgunsinyourhead, inyourheadtheyrestillfighting.Zombie,TheCranberries.

BryanpublishedthefollowinginMargoKingstonsWEBDIARYinOctober2005,shortly beforeweheadedforPineGap.Thefootnoteshavebeenaddedforthispublication.

ENTERINGTHE'GAP'BETWEENWHAT'SRIGHTANDWHAT'SLEGAL
AroundSeptember2005Iwasinvitedtotakepartinasmall,daggyaffinitygroupaction atthePineGapintelligencefacilitynearAliceSprings.TheinvitationcamefromJim Dowling,aCatholicWorkerfriendofmine. AlongwiththeinvitationcameafewpagesofeloquencefromFatherGeorgeZabelka who,inAugust1945wastheCatholicchaplainforthe509thCompositeGroupoftheUS AirforceonTinianIslandinthePacific.HeblessedthecrewsoftheEnolaGay(Hiroshima) andBoksCar(Nagasaki)beforetheyflewtodroptheAtomicBombonJapanese civilians. FatherGeorgegaveaspeechtoaPaxChristiconferenceatNotreDameUniversityin August1985. IworkedwithMartinLutherKingJr.duringthecivilrightsstruggleinFlint,Michigan.His exampleandwordsofnonviolentaction,choosingloveinsteadofhate,truthinsteadof lies,andnonviolenceinsteadofviolencestirredmedeeply.Thisbroughtmefacetoface withpacifismactivenonviolentresistancetoevil.Irecallhiswordsafterhewasjailedin Montgomery,andthisblewmymind.Hesaid,"Bloodmayflowinthestreetsof Montgomerybeforewegainourfreedom,butitmustbeourbloodthatflows,andnot thatofthewhiteman.Wemustnotharmasinglehairontheheadofourwhite brothers." Istruggled.Iargued.Butyes,thereitwasintheSermonontheMount,veryclear:Love yourenemies.Returngoodforevil.Iwentthroughacrisisoffaith.Eitheracceptwhat Christsaid,asimpossibleandsillyasitmayseem,ordenyhimcompletely. Forthelast1700yearsthechurchhasnotonlybeenmakingwarrespectable:ithasbeen inducingpeopletobelieveitisanhonourableprofession.Thisisnottrue.Wehavebeen brainwashed.Itisalie.

PINEGAPWHATDOESITDO?
PineGapisagroundreceivingstationforspacebasedintelligencegathering.Itsthe moststrategicallyimportantUSbaseinAustraliaandenjoyssubstantialsecrecyand protectionfromParliamentaryoversight.* Fromwhatisknownoutsidetheofficialrecord,PineGapisavitalcomponentofwar fightinginIraq.Itsmonitoringofradar,cellphone,radio,andlongdistancetelephone communicationenablesittoprovidetargetinginformationforUSairandground forces.** WhentheUSlauncheditsshockandawebombardmentofIraq,informationfrom PineGappointedthemissilesandsmartweaponstowardIraqimilitarytargets towardsairdefenceradars,towardsIraqimissilesilos,andtowardscommandbunkers. ManythousandsofciviliansdiedinthatinitialphaseoftheIraqwar.*** NowthattheUSisattackinginsurgents,informationfromPineGaptracksand monitorstelephonecommunications,identifyingandtrackingsuspectsandleading troops,missilesandbombstothehousesandneighbourhoodstheylivein.Many thousandsofcivilianscontinuetobekilledascollateraldamageinthesecampaigns. IfIaskedanyoneofyou,OughtIshoottodeathafamilyorgroupoffamilies,orachild orgroupofchildrenbecausetheirlivesareinconvenienttome?,youwouldnthesitate insayingNO!IfIsaidIwasgoingtogoaheadanyway,youwouldtrytostopme,perhaps byinterveningyourselves,butalmostcertainlybycallingtheauthoritiesandaskingthem toact. YetPineGapisabasewhichhasbeenusedtoslaughterthousandsoffamilieswhogot inthewayofUSandAustralianforeignpolicy,whowereinconvenientlypresentinurban areasscheduledforsaturationbombing,orwhoareevennowinthewrongplacewhen CoalitionforcespatrolthechaosofIraq. TherearenoauthoritiestocallregardingPineGap.TheAustraliangovernmentandthe USgovernmentsupportthemassacresinIraq.Theyuseotherwisejustlaws(public order,trespass)toprotecttheoperationofPineGap,toprotectthemachineryofwar andinjustice.

BeyondtheminorwarcrimesoftensofthousandsofciviliandeadinIraq,PineGapis alsoamajorcomponentoftheproposedmissiledefenceshield,orStarWarsproject asitisoftencalled.Thisshieldproposesputtingsatellitebasedweaponsinspaceto shootdownanyincomingmissiles.TheUShasspentbillionsdevelopingthissystembut isstillalongwayformmakingitwork.BothChinaandRussiahavestronglydenounced theproject,asthreateninganewarmsrace.Obviouslyithasthepotentialtoallowthe UStowageafirststrikeNuclearWar,iftheywereconfidentofshootingdownallenemy missiles. ThenewUSdoctrineofpreemptivewar,obviouslymakestheothernuclearstates verywaryindeed. Nuclearproliferationhasproceededapacesince1945,andnuclearweaponsarenow presentinPakistan,India,China,NorthKorea(?),Israel,England,France,andRussia,as wellasintheUSAwheretheywereinvented.Iranissaidtohaveanactivedevelopment program.SouthAfricahasdisarmed.ThefirstfivestatesImentionareadjacenttoareas ofactiveandintensepoliticalconflict.Intheeventofevenlimitednuclearwarfare,itis likelythatmillionswilldie AtatimewhenAustraliaMUSThaveadiscussionaboutprovidingmoreuraniumfor nuclearpowerandnuclearweaponsproliferation,weareencouragedtoignorethe presenceonoursoilofaninsidiouswarfightingbasethatispreparingtofightanuclear war.***** From16NovemberthisyeartheAustraliangovernmentbecomesentitledtogivethree yearsnoticeofterminationofthePineGaptreatywiththeUS,atanytime.Thegoalof ouraffinitygroupatthisimportanttimeistobuildpublicawarenessofthegoalsand operationofPineGapsothattheAustraliangovernmentwillterminateitslease

PINEGAPAHISTORYOFDISSENT
ThefirstmajorprotestagainstPineGapwasagatheringof700womenonNovember11 1983. TheAliceSpringsNewsreportedthestoryoftheKarenSilkwoodsandtheiramazing protest.Perhapsthemostamazingaspectofthisprotestisthatitwassupported indirectlybytwelveLaborwomenParliamentarians,includingthenMinisterfor

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EducationSenatorSusanRyan,inatelexedstatementapprovedbyPMBobHawkeand ForeignMinisterBillHayden. InOctober1987some300peoplewerearrestedataClosetheGapactionorganised bytheAustralianAntiBasesCoalitionandtheAliceSpringsPeaceGroup.Theseprotests wereaimedatpublicisingthenatureofPineGapasaspybase(ithadpreviouslybeen promotedwithinAustraliaasaspaceresearchbase),itslinkswithnuclearweapons systems,anditsroleinnuclearwarfighting. The1987resistanceatPineGaptookplaceinthecontextofUSdeploymentofCruise andPershingnuclearmissilesinWesternEurope.Thisveryunpopularescalationofthe NuclearthreatinEuropecreatedamasspopularpeacemovementaroundtheworld ThenextmassactionatPineGaptookplaceOctober79,2002,andwaslargelyaimedat thewarfightingroleitwasabouttoplayintheattackonIraqbyprovidingintelligence andtargetinginformation.Around400peopleshowedupwiththeusualvibrantdisplays ofcostumesandactions,andweremetbyanequalorlargernumberofpolice. NomembersoftheLabourPartyshowedup.Theonlypoliticianspresentwerefromthe GreensandDemocrats. Thisactioncontinuedthethemesofnonviolence,nationalandinternationalnetworking, andseekingclosureofthebase.Itsnewfeaturesweretheeffectiveuseoftheinternet, andanabandonmentofthetechniqueofmassarrests.The2002actionsweresubjectto just17arrestsandachievednationalcoverageintheAustralianmedia. OurlittleaffinitygroupisexpectingtoundertakecivildisobedienceatPineGap.We believethatPineGap,andthereforethelawsprotectingit,isunjustinitsoperation. Wewillbreaktheminorlawtopursuejusticeandthegreatergood. AfewdaysagoDrMarkHayesremindedmeagainofDrKingsLetterfromBirmingham Jail,whichIreadoncemoreandcontemplated. Onewhobreaksanunjustlawmustdosoopenly,lovingly,andwithawillingnessto acceptthepenalty.Isubmitthatanindividualwhobreaksalawthatconsciencetellshim isunjustandwhowillinglyacceptsthepenaltyofimprisonmentinordertoarousethe conscienceofthecommunityoveritsinjustice,isinrealityexpressingthehighestrespect forlaw. 11

Ofcourse,thereisnothingnewaboutthiskindofcivildisobedience.Itwasevidenced sublimelyintherefusalofShadrach,MeshachandAbednegotoobeythelawsof Nebuchadnezzar,onthegroundthatahighermorallawwasatstake.Itwaspracticed superblybytheearlyChristians,whowerewillingtofacehungrylionsandthe excruciatingpainofchoppingblocksratherthansubmittocertainunjustlawsofthe RomanEmpire.Toadegree,academicfreedomisarealitytodaybecauseSocrates practicedcivildisobedience.Inourownnation,theBostonTeaPartyrepresenteda massiveactofcivildisobedience. WeshouldneverforgetthateverythingAdolfHitlerdidinGermanywas"legal"and everythingtheHungarianfreedomfightersdidinHungarywas"illegal."Itwas"illegal"to aidandcomfortaJewinHitler'sGermany.Evenso,Iamsurethat,hadIlivedinGermany atthetime,IwouldhaveaidedandcomfortedmyJewishbrothers.IftodayIlivedina CommunistcountrywherecertainprinciplesdeartotheChristianfaitharesuppressed,I wouldopenlyadvocatedisobeyingthatcountry'santireligiouslaws. Manyofyouwillask,Whymustyoupracticecivildisobedience?Isntitenoughthatwe liveinademocracywherewecanchangegovernmentpolicythroughtheballotbox? DrKingsletterdealswiththeissueofwaitingfornegotiationswhichnevercome,or whichareconductedinbadfaith.RememberthatAustralianparliamentariansfromall partieshavebeendeniedessentialinformationabouttheoperationofPineGap.Our electedrepresentativesarenotallowedtoknowwhatthebasedoes. Secondly,Australiansnow(fromNovember162005)haveanopportunitytoterminate theelectronicspyingofPineGapandtoendourcomplicitywiththemassacreof innocentsthatitrepresents.ThosefollowingChristarecalledupontoloveourenemies. Howcanweacceptthemurderofinnocents?Howlongdoweaccepttheslaughterof innocentsbeforerisinguptosayenough!? Ivebeenarrestedmanytimesforcivildisobedience,andtheonlyexplanationIcanoffer formyactionsisthedictateofmyconscience.Inthepresenceofinjustice,howcanInot act?Iamnotabletostandasidejustbecauseitsdifficult,orunpopular,oritmakesme looklikeacrank. Theressomeselfinterestinit.IfIallowinjusticetothrive,Iwillinevitablybecomeits victim.MoreimportantlyIm51yearsoldandIvelearnedwhatDrKinglearned,and

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whatChristtaughtthatoppressiondisfiguresanddehumanisesboththeoppressed andtheoppressor. Ilovehumanity.Iveseenenoughofthewonderandpowerofhumanloveandcreativity torejoiceinthemiracleofGodscreation.Iknowthatloveisthefertiliserforhuman growth,andthatjusticeprotectstheflowoflovewhilekeepingdowntheweeds.Iweep atthedespairandinjusticepresentlyintheworld,andIamcalledupontoact.HowcanI not? Dontgetmewrong,Ienjoyaremarkablygoodlifewithmybeautiful,powerfulwifeand belovedson.Igettoliveinalovelyhouse,tendmygarden,andworkforjusticeinmy localcommunity.Igetmyshare(probablymorethanmyshare)ofconsumerdurables, andIlovethemodernelectronics.IfitwerentforthisrottenconscienceIcouldstay hereforeverandenjoyaquietlife. Ibelievewithallmyheartthatthesearecriticaltimes.Infrontofusliesthechoice betweenamilitaristsecuritystate,andaliberaldemocracy.Parliamenthasfailedus. NeithertheALPnortheCoalitionwillhelpus.Itstimetomakeastand. BryanLaw *Indeedin1999,whentheJointStandingCommitteeonTreatiesasked(twice)fora detailedbriefingonPineGap,andaninspectionofthefacility,theywere(twice)refused onthebasisofneedtoknow.Apparentlyourparliamentaryrepresentativesdont needtoknowtheoperationalnatureofthefacilityforwhichtheyreapprovinga treaty.Report26oftheJointStandingCommitteeconcernsPineGap,andPart2ofthat reportdetailsthegovernmentsrefusaltoprovideanyvisit,oranydetailedinformation abouttheoperationofthisfacility.
**ThefollowingappearedINSMH23 August2002: Michael McKinley, a strategic analyst at
rd

the Australian National University in Canberra, said yesterday that the US had been boosting its satellite capability since the 1991 Gulf War, including the level of information feeding into Pine Gap."What you are looking at with Pine Gap is a lot of signals intercepts and photo reconnaissance," he said. "Certainly in relation to identifying specific targets, Pine Gap is important. The Pine Gap contribution is very much more significant than any sending of Australian soldiers

***OnOctober29,2004BritishmedicalJournalTHELANCETpublishedthereportofthe firstsurveydonebyJohnHopkinsUniversity(US).Thereportclaimedthatbythisstage 13

over100,000civilianshaddiedinIraqasaresultoftheinvasion.Thereportclaimedthat thebiggestcontributortothesedeathswasalliedaerialbombing.
****Information Clearing House is a news website containing daily reports on the situation in Iraq from a variety of the worlds media. As this booklet is being written, last nights stories include one of 15 civilians killed by US helicopter gunfire in Sadr City including at least two toddlers (Reuters TV report). Sadly such slaughter hardly warrants a second glance as anyone following the war soon accepts mass murder by our side as the norm.

****FORMOREINFORMATIONONTHESTARWARSPROJECTSEE:Global Network
Against Weapons and Nuclear Power In Space WEBSITE

www.space4peace.org

PEACEONEARTH
Friday9thDecember2005.Todaywewerepartofamiracle. AnumberofmonthsagoIfirstproposedtheideaofexposingtheterroristnatureofPine Gapbyattemptingtoenteritandperhapsclimbononeofthestructures.PineGapis AustraliasmostimportantcontributiontothekillingspreeinAfghanistanandIraq, providingmuchofthetargetinginformationforthebombingraidsetcwhichhave resultedinthedeathsofover100,000civiliansinthelast3years EventuallyagroupformedforthePineGapactioncallingourselvesChristiansAgainst ALLTerrorism.BryanLawintroducedenormousenergyandmadethegroupviable.He notifiedpoliceandSenatorRobertHillwewerecomingandeventoldthemtheplanned dateofouraction:December8th.Wewerefullofenthusiasm,butstillitwasafirmbelief ofmostparticipantsthatonlyamiraclewouldenableustosucceedgiventhatPineGap isthemostsecuremilitaryestablishmentinAustralia.Todaythatmiracletookplace. OnWednesdaymorningwesoughtoutPatHayes,thetraditionalArrentecaretakerfor thePineGapareaandaskedhispermissiontowalkonhislandinordertoexposethe violenceofthebasewhichoccupiedpartofthatland.Nopermissionhadeverbeen soughtorgivenforPineGaptobeusedbythemilitary.HoweverPatgraciouslygaveus permissiontoenterthearea. LateatnightonThursdaythe8th,fourofus,DonnaMulhearnandBryanLawinone groupandAdeleGoldieandmyselfintheotherstartedthewalktothebasefromtwo differentdirections.Wewalkedforfivehoursandthreehoursrespectively.At4am 14

AdeleandIcameclosetothefirst3meterhighsecurityfence.Aswelayontheground perhaps500metresfromthefence,securityvehiclesdrovenearbywiththeirfloodlights panningthearea.Wethoughttheymusthaveknownofourpresenceandwere searchingforus.Atleasttwicewethoughttheymusthaveseenusandourattemptto enterthebasewasover.Laterwerealisedtheirsurveillancewasroutine,andtheyhad miraculouslynotseenus. AftertwovehicleshadgoneAdeleandImadethelast100meterdashthroughtheopen floodlitareatotheoutersecurityfence.AsAdelehungourbannerWHATHAVEYOU DONE?YOURBROTHERSBLOODCRIESOUTTOMEFROMTHEEARTH:Gen4;10onthe fence,IplacedJessicasbeautifulbarbedwirecrucifixagainstthefence.ThenIcut throughthefence.WeclimbedthroughandIcutthesecondfenceabouttenmeters away.Againweclimbedthroughandrealisedallthepowerofthemostpowerfulempire inhistorycouldnotstoptwountrained,unfunded,unarmedChristianpacifistsfrom enteringoneoftheirmostimportantandsecurebasesevenafterwehadtoldthemwe werecoming. Ilookedaroundatthehugewhitedomesandradardishesaroundus.Ihadsometimes fantasisedaboutclimbingontooneofthewhitedomesbutitwasobviousthatitwasnot goingtobepossible.Adeleheadedforatowernexttoabuildingandclimbedontothe roof.Ifollowed.Onceontheroofweplacedphotos,leaflets,andotherinformationon theroofandgavethankstoGod.Shortlyafterthiswesawasecurityguardonabicycle rideby,butwestillhadnotbeenseen.Buttheguardthenrodearoundtothebackof thebuildingandmusthavenoticedthebanneronthefence.MeanwhileAdeleandItook photosofoneanotherwithahugewhitedomebehindus.Thesecurityguardcameback insightandquicklyclimbedatowerwhichsupportedtheradardishdirectlyinfrontof us.Amazingly(althoughbythistimenothingwouldsurpriseus),hemusthavelooked aroundforaminutebeforeseeingus.Iwaved,andhescrambledbackdown. WithinaminutetherewereanumberofFederalsecurityguardsandpoliceassembled belowus.Myresponsetothefirstonewhoaskedustocomedownwastoinformhim thatwehadcometoinspectthebaseforterroristactivityandwouldcomedownwhen wehadsomethinginwritingfromtheCommandersayingwewouldnotbestoppedfrom doingso.Asecondguardangrilyyelledatmethathewascominguptodragmeoffthe roof.IrespondedthatIwouldcertainlynotbesurprisedbyviolenceasIwasawarethe basehadbeendirectlyinvolvedintheslaughterofthousandsinterroristattacks.

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Ofcourseitiseasytobebravewhenyouarekingofthecastle.Butshortlyanumber ofguardsandpolicewereontheroof.Thefirstonesaid,Getonyourknees.Thatsa goodidea,Ireplied.Ikneltdownandprayedthathewouldwithdrawhiscooperation fromtheviolenceofPineGap.Unfortunately,whilepraying,itwasimpossibletohear theinstructionsthatwerebeinggiventome.Thismadetheoriginalguardwho threatenedusratherannoyed.Amazinglyheusedanewcompliancetechniquewith whichIambecomingfamiliartheoldpushtheheadintothegroundandpushyour kneeintotheheadtechnique.Luckilyunliketheconcretefloorlasttime,themetalroof wewereonhadalittlegiveandIonlysufferedabruisedcheekinsteadofabloodyface. Afterbeingescortedfromtheroofandintoawagonweweredriventothefrontofthe base,searchednumeroustimesanddriventothewatchhouse. AboutanhourafterAdeleandI,BryanandDonnahadcompletedtheiramazingwalkin daylight.Bryanhashealthconditionswhichmadethewalkextremelydifficult,andany chanceofrunningimpossible.Sotheyslowlywalkedthelaststretchtothesecurity fence,DonnadressedinblackandBrianinhisbrightwhiteCitizensInspectionTeam overalls.Whatfollowedseemedlikeanothermiracle.Asecurityvandrovetowards them.Theywavedandthevehicledroveon!Theyreachedthefirstsecurityfence, unchallengedbythenumerouspoliceandguardsnowbehindituntilBryanstartedto cutthefencewithboltcutters.ThenthesecurityforcesrealisedBryanwastheenemy andcalledout.Bryankeptcuttinguntilasecurityguardputhishandonhisgun,and, perhapsnotcoincidentally,Bryandecidedhehaddoneenoughinspectingforthe moment. [BryanandDonnawerecapturedbyKenwhohadtalkedtoustwodaysbefore.Ken NapieristheheadoftheAustraliansecurityatPineGap.Hehadbeenextremelyfriendly duringanumberofvisitstothefrontgate.Nowhowever,Kenhadtotallylosthisjovial senseofhumourasBryanwasrolledroughlyinthedirt.DonnaandBryandidnotthinkit wasthetimetoremindKenofhowwehadalllaughedtogetherabouthisadvicethat tryingtobreakintothebaseinwhiteoverallswasprobablynotveryhelpfulforus.Later inthewatchousewejokedabouthownexttimeweshouldtryithandcuffedandcarrying trackingdevicestogivethemafairerchanceofcatchingus. Thearrestswerenotoverhowever.SeanOReillyandJessicaMorrisonhaddriventothe frontofthebaseandwereholdingabannerinwhattheythoughtwasanonarrestable action(JessicahadaplanetoMelbournebookedin5hourstime,andSeanwasdueto catchonethenextday).TheywerenotexpectingtheangeroftheFederalpolice.We 16

hadbeentothefrontofthebasetwicetopicketandpray.Eachtimetheyhadhappily assuredusofourrighttobethere.Nowtheywereintentonrevengeanddecidedto confiscateourcamerasandanyinterestingdocuments.WhenSeanpolitelyaskedthem whatlawallowedthemtodothis,hewasarrestedandchargedwithhinderingpolice.No receiptwasgivenforanythingtakenandasyetnothinghasbeenreturned.Laterthat dayitwasJessicasturn.Shewasfollowedbythefederalpoliceallmorninguntilshe cametothewatchousetovisitherfriends.Shewasimmediatelyarrestedandtoldshe wouldbechargedwithbeinganaccessory.Happily,afteranhourorsoandmuch distress,Jessicaschargesweredroppedandshewasreleased.

THECHARGES.
ThefourwhowalkedintoPineGapwerechargedwith: DestroyingordamagingCommonwealthproperty; TrespassingonCommonwealthland; Unlawfullyenteringaprohibitedarea(DefenceSpecialUndertakingsAct) Takingaphotoonaprohibitedarea(DefenceSpecialUndertakingsAct) Unlawfullydamagingproperty.

SeanOReillywaschargedwithobstructingcommonwealthpolice.Seanreturnedto courtin2006andwasfoundnotguilty,whenpoliceseriouslycontradictedone another. Later,weweretoldtheDefenceSpecialUndertakingsActchargesneededtobe approvedbytheAttorneyGeneral.Thisisthe1952lawwithwhichDefenceMinisterHill threateneduswhenwewrotetohimtellinghimofourintentionstoinspectthebase.It carriesamaximumofsevenyearsjail.Noonehaseverbeenchargedunderthislawin Australiabefore.TheNTDirectorofPublicProsecutionsflewdowntopersonallyhandle ourfirstcourtappearance.Sotheyareobviouslytakingourlittlemiraclequiteseriously. Finallyanimportantmoralfromthisstory: OneofthemostimportantmessagesfromourentryintoPineGapisthatoursecurity doesnotlieinbiggerandbetterbombs,biggerandbettertargetingorsurveillance

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systems.Oursecurityliesinbuildingbetterrelationships.InthewordsonmyCatholic WorkerTshirt:TheOnlySolutionisLove.

PineGaponTrial
InNovember2005asmallgroupsetofffromBrisbaneinavegioilpoweredvantotravel 3,500kilometerstocentralAustralia.Disturbedbyournationsroleinasenselesskilling spreeinIraq,weintendedtodowhatwecouldtodisturbthewar;towagepeace. WeintendedtoexposetheinsidiousroleofPineGapinterroristbombingcampaigns,and dowhatwecouldtodisruptit.Indeedwedid,forwemanagedtoenterthemostsecure baseinAustraliaandcauseittobelockeddownforanumberofhours. EighteenmonthslaterwejourneyedbacktoAliceSprings,thistimetofacecourtforour resistance.Wehopedtousethecourtcasetocontinueourdisturbanceofthewar. Fromstarttofinishthestateseemeddeterminedtouseasledgehammertocracknuts (withoutdrawingtheanalogywithnutstoofar.)Thefourofuswerechargedundera 1952lawcreatedtoprotectnucleartestingatMaralingaandMonteBello.Thislawhad neverbeenusedbeforeandrequiredwrittenpermissionfromtheAttorneyGeneral (PhillipRuddock)todoso.Itcarriesamaximumpenaltyofsevenyearsjailfortrespass. Thetriallastedfor3weeks.Estimatedcoststothestateareinthehundredsofthousands ofdollars. Whenwearrivedincourtonthefirstday,wefacedateamofsixCommonwealth barristersincludingtwoQCs.Thepresenceofuniformedandplainclothespolice,other securitypersonnel,andPineGapstaffinsideandoutsidecourtwasnolessprolific.At onestageIhadarevelationlikeascenefromMeninBlack,amovieIhadrecently watchedwithmychildren.Inthemovie,oneoftheMeninBlackhadwalkedoutonto thestreetandlookedaroundhim.Hehadasuddenrevelationthatthestreetswerefull ofaliens.WhenIlookedaroundmeIdidnotseealiens(withapologiestothePineGap flyingsaucertheorists),buttheforcesofthestaterangedagainstus.Therewereover20 governmentsecuritypersonnelandlawyersstandingaroundthecourtfoyerbecauseof ourlittleactofresistance.Duringthefollowingweeks,wewereoftenundersecret surveillanceonthestreetsofAliceSprings.Sometimesitwasquitecomical,likeanold spymovie,withtheplainclothespolicestoppingtolookinashopwindowwhenyou lookedatthem.AsourfriendCiaronoftensays,theytakeusalotmoreseriouslythan

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wetakeourselves.Anotherfriendsresponsewas,Well,itjustshowstheleveloffearof thesepeople. Morethanonceincourt,thechiefProsecutor,HiltonDembo,woulddisclosewhathis intelligencesourceshadrevealedaboutouractionsthepreviousdayorthatmorning. Thisintelligencepromptedhisfirstsubmissiontothecourtbeforeproceedingseven began.HeaskedJudgeSallyThomastoissueanorderthat1)webemadetostayatour home(s)whilenotincourti.e.underhousearrest;and2)webemadetocometocourt anhourearlyandstayanhouraftercourt.AllthiswasnecessaryMr.Dembodeclared, becauseintelligencehadinformedhimwewereplanningtomarchinprocessiontocourt eachday,aswellasholdralliesetcintheToddMall,andatthefrontofthebase.He believedwemightcontaminatethejuryorfurtherdisruptthebase. Happily,JudgeThomasdeclinedtodenyusourbasicrightsatthistimeandrefusedMr. Dembosrequests. Asisoftenthecase,aharshresponsefromthestatecangalvanizeresistance.Andsoit wasthatover30peoplemadethelongflightordrivetoAliceSpringsfromallover Australiatoattendthetrial.ManyofusstayedatCampfireinTheHeartretreatcenter runbyDavidandSueWoods.Westartedeachmorningwithprayerandreflectionbefore breakfast,andthenproceededtotheToddMalltobeginacolorfulprocessiontothe courthouse.Wesangsongsofpeaceandhope,ledbyanumberoftalentedsingersand musicians.StuMartinwhowrotetheinspirationalsongFlowersintheGuns,had traveledfromCairnstobepartoftheproceedings,andweoftenstartedoffwithhis song.Onarrivalatthecourthouse,wegatheredintheparkoppositetolistentoafew finalwordsfromthebibleor(morerecent)inspiringactivists,beforefacingourdayin court. TheprosecutionopeneditscasewithPaulBurgess,theDeputyDirectorofPineGap.(i.e. theAustralianheadoftheBase.*) WhenaskedaboutPineGapsrole,Mr.Burgessrepliedthatitprovidedintelligenceon treatyverificationandarmscontrol,earlywarninginformationonballisticmissiles,and monitoredmilitarydevelopmentsworldwide.Incrossexamination,BryanLawasked Mr.BurgesstoverifythatPineGapwasusedinconventionalwarfighting,especiallyin providingtargetinginformation.ThisquestionbecamethetriggerforMr.Michael MauriceQCtoearnhis$5000plusaday.

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Mr.MauricewassentbyCanberratomakesureaslittleaspossibleofPineGaps murderousroleintheIraqwarwasmadepublic.Hehadthreeyoungbarristerstoassist him,allseatedatadeskspeciallysetupbehindtheprosecutor.Sobegantwodaysof whatwetermedanAliceinWonderlandoflegalarguments.Mr.Mauricearguedthat wecouldnotaskquestionsorintroduceevidencethatcompromisednationalsecurity (PublicInterestImmunity);thatweshouldnotbeallowedtoproduceevidenceabout PineGapfrombooksornewspapersasthiswasmerelyopinionandnotfacts;andfinally thatthelawsofParliamentaryPrivilegepreventedusfromusinganyinformationfrom parliament,includingSenatecommitteereports. Sothiswashowtheprosecutionintendedthecasetoproceed.Everywitnesswouldtake thestandandpromisetotellThetruth,thewholetruthandnothingbutthetruth,and fourbarristersfromCanberrawouldmakesurethattheycouldnotkeeptheiroath. JudgeThomasmadeitclearshewouldgoalongwithwhateverMr.Mauriceandhis colleaguesdeclaredneededtobesecret. However,wesoondiscoveredintheWonderlandofthiscourtwewerestillpermittedto presentevidencethatformedourbeliefs,causingustoactaswedid.Thesebeliefsdid notnecessarilyhavetobefacts.Naturallyweusedthistogreatadvantagetoexposethe truthaboutPineGap. Oneofthehighlightsofthecaseformewasthewayinwhichwewereabletoexpose theliesoftheAustraliangovernment.WhencrossexaminingresumedIaskedPaul BurgesswhyPineGapwascalledaSpaceResearchFacilityforthefirsttenyearsof operation. Thatsbecauseitwas,hereplied. AfteranappropriatesilenceIasked,Areyouserious? Absolutely. Canyoutellmewhatplanetsandstarswerestudiedthere?,wasmynextquestion. Atthispoint,thefarceoftheDeputyDirectorsversionofthetruth,thewholetruthand nothingbutthetruthwasterminatedbythejudgedeclaringmyquestionirrelevant (i.e.liesanddeceptionarearightofthestatethatoverrideanyoathswornonhowever manystacksofbibles).

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Amazingly,thisratherabsurdliewasabletobeexposeddramaticallyinthelastweekof thetrialwhenwewereallowedtoshowsixminutesofaDocumentarycalledInside PineGap.ThisdocumentarywasoriginallyshownonAustralianTVin1987.Asixminute segmentofaninterviewwithformerCIAagentVictorMarcetttiwasshowntothecourt. OnthefilmMarcettitellshowPineGapwassetupbyhisformercolleagueandfriend RichardStallings,andhowacoverwasusedtokeepthetruthaboutPineGapfromthe Australianpublic.PineGapwastobecalledaSpaceResearchFacility. AttheendofthesegmentinterviewerBobPlastowe,asks,Youmeanyoutoldalie? Marcettismileswryly,Yes,ofcourse.Thatswhatacoveris. Nosurprisethere.Afterall,warandlyingarethehealthofthestate.

OTHERHIGHLIGHTSOFTHETRIAL
ThewondersofPineGapsecuritysystems! AfterPaulBurgess,KenNapier,headofPineGapsecurity,hadtheunenviabletaskof explaininghowfouruntrainedpacifistscouldpenetratethemostsecurebaseinAustralia aftertellingthemwewerecoming. BothKenNapier,andAnastasiasMarkos,securityconsoleoperatoronthenightofthe action,admittedthatalltheexternalalarmswereregularlysetoffbysnakes,lizardsor securitypatrols,inthewordsofMrMarkos..Itbecameapparentthatthejobof monitoringalarmsissoimportant,thatshiftsareonly2hourslong.Italsoseemsthat thefirstjobofeachnewoperatorwastoturnoffallthepreviousalarmsthateveryone hadignored!Ineffectwewerereallydiscoveredbythelowtechobservationofour banneronthefenceandflashingofourcamerafromtheroofofthebuildingwherewe weregatheringinformationforourterrorisminspection.Thereisnotellinghowlongwe wouldhaveremainedundetectedifwehadnothungourbanner,climbedoverthe fencesinsteadofcuttingthem,andnottakenphotoswithaflash. ThenagainThemiracleacknowledgedbyall Duringthepreparationforouraction,weoftentalkedaboutneedingamiracletogetin. Iwouldsometimeswhisperaboutmypersonalbeliefinmiracles.

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IncourtDonnapursuedtheissue.InspectorNapierexplainedthatsecurityatthebase washighandpreparationshadbeenmadeforourinspection,includingextrapolice numbers. YouwouldbeawarethatMr.LawandIevadedthreesecuritypatrolstoreachthe fence.Wereyousurprisedbythat?Donnaasked Yes,InspectorNapieranswered. Manysaidwedneedamiracletogetin,doyouagreewiththat? Atthattime,yes.

RAYTHEON
TheroleoftheRaytheonCorporationcontinuedtobeexposedincourt.Raytheonisthe worldsfourthorfifthlargestmilitarycontractor.Theirmostinfamousweaponisthe cruisemissile.Loadedwithconventionalornuclearweaponstheselittleitemsstartat $600,000each.HundredshavebeenfiredintoIraqandAfghanistansinceSeptember11. DuringthecourseofourtrialitwasdisclosedthatRaytheonarethesolecontractorfor alloperationalmaintenanceatPineGap.Itwastheywhopresentedtheabsurdbillof $10,000tofixthesmallcutswemadeinthesecurityfences.Raytheonemploys120 peopleatPineGapandprovidemuchofthehitechequipment.Incrossexaminingboth PaulBurgessandRaytheonemployeeRonTollasepp,wewereabletohighlightthe insidiousnatureofthiscompany.PineGapisusedtoprovidetargetsforRaytheoncruise missilestodotheirdeadlywork,asuntoldwealthpoursintotheircoffers.Anarticlewas presentedtoMrTollaseppshowingthattheCompanyssharepricerose46% immediatelyafterSept11,inanticipationoftheirhugeprofitsfromdeathand destruction.Adeleusedhercrossexaminationtoexposethenumerousfraudcharges leveledagainstRaytheonandsubsequentcompensationpayoutsmadebythem. Itwouldbehardtoimagineabetterexampleoftheevilsofthemilitaryindustrial complexthatUSPresidentDwightEisenhowerwarnedagainstafterWorldWarTwo. Raytheonmakes$21billionayearfrombeinginvolvedinalmostallaspectsofwar,from theintelligencegathering,tothetargeting,tothebombmaking.Atthesentencing hearingItooktheopportunityofpointingouttheabsurdityofRaytheonpresentingus withabillfor$10,000worthofpropertydamagewhentheythemselveswere 22

responsibleforbillionsofdollarsworthofpropertydamageinIraqduringthewarthe realcrimewhichweweretryingtoprevent.

MOVINGHEARTS,MINDS,ANDTEARDUCTS
Itwaswonderfultoseethepositiveeffectwehadontheordinarypeopleinvolvedinthe courtprocess.Courtstafflookedatuswarilyforacoupleofdays,butthenbecame extremelyfriendly.Therewereanumberofveryemotionalmomentswhencourtstaff criedalongwithmanyofus.IbrokedownwhiletryingtoreadanarticlebyRobertFisk writteninthefirstweeksofthe2003attackonIraq.FiskdescribesthesceneofaUS clusterbombattackinallitshorror,includingavillagerholdinguptheremainsofhis babyscreamingattheplanesoverhead.Idistributedthisarticlesoonafterreadingitin April2003,andnomatterhowmanytimesIreadit,Ifinditalmostimpossibletoavoid tears.Butthistimethetearsdidntstopforalongtime.Anadjournmentwascalledand courtstaffcomfortedsomesupporters. Inanothermomentofhighemotion,Donnabroughteveryonesattentiontotheshoes shewaswearing.Shehadwornthoseshoeswhenshewalkedintoabombedmarket placeinBaghdadduringthe2003invasion.Shedescribedtheexperienceofwalking throughpoolsofhumanbloodandsplashingsomeofthatbloodonherboots.She wantedeveryonetoknowtherewasIraqibloodinthecourtroom,bloodcausedby missilesquitepossiblyhelpedtotheirmurderousendbythePineGapSpyBase.Itwould behardtofindaheartnotmovedbyDonnasstory.

THEVERDICTANDSENTENCING
TowardstheendofLewisCarrollsAliceinWonderland,thereisalong,crazycourtscene inwhichtheQueencallsforthesentencingtobedonebeforetheverdict.WhileIhave beeninanumberofcourtcaseswherethismayaswellhavebeenthecase,thistimewe werestillholdingoutvaguehopesforahungjury,despitetheJudgesinstructionsto ignoretherealissues. Asithappenedittookthejurorsfivehourstoreachaguiltyverdict.Obviouslymovedby ourwitness,butunabletorebelagainsttheauthorityofthecourt,allthejuryhadtheir headshungdown,andoneortwomayhavebeencryingastheverdictsofguiltyall roundwerereadbytheforeman.

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ProsecutorHiltonDembo,however,remainedhisstoicselfas,soonafter,hedemanded prisonsentencesforallofus,evenAdeleandDonnawhohadnopreviousconvictions. ThedemandsofStateTerrorhavenotyetfilteredthroughtoallthejudiciary,however. ThegrandmotherlyfigureofSallyThomaswasnotquitereadytosendfourpeopletojail fornonviolentlyopposingthatterror. Wewereallfined.DonnaandAdele$450eachandBryanandmyself,$1000and $1300.Wewerealsoorderedtopayrestitutionof$2500eachforfencerepair.Ifwedo notpaywewillbejailedforonetotwoweeks.Wedeclaredakindofvictory,hadashort celebration,andpreparedtogohome. Butjustwhenyouthought IhadbeenhomeforafewweekswhenthephonecallcamefromAdele.Federalpolice haddeliveredaNoticeofAppeal.Someonewasnothappywithhavingusdangerous peopleontheloose.(Perhapstheythoughtitquiteapoorreturnontheirconsiderable investmentusbeinggivenmiserablefineswhichwewouldprobablyneverpay). Basicallythenoticesaidthatthecrownwasappealingtheleniencyofoursentences, claimingthelearnedJudgehaderredinnotsendingustojailwherewebelonged. Ofcoursewewillprobablyneverknowwhothesomeone(s)is/arewhoarenothappy withtheresult.Allweknowisthatsometimeinthenearfuturetheywillhaveanother chanceofsendinguswheretheyfeelwebelong.Theappealwillbeheardbythefull benchoftheNTSupremeCourtinDarwin.Someofusmaylodgeacounterappeal againsttheconviction.FormerFederalcourtjudgeRonMerkleisstillkeentochallenge thevalidityoftheDSUactbeingusedagainstus.** Sothispartofthestrugglegoeson Hopeyoucan(re)joinussometime. Thankstoallthosewonderfulpeoplewhohavebeenapartofitsofar. JimDowling *Theactualheadofthebase(despitebeingcalledaJointFacility)isalwaysAmerican. AnAustraliangetstobeDeputy,perhapsinasimilarwayJohnHowardofferedtobe 24

GeorgeBushsDeputySheriffinthePacific.NotonlywasthedirectoroftheBasenever broughtin,butnoneofuseversawanAmerican(thatweknowof)fromthemomentwe enteredtheBasein2005untilthecourtcasefinished.WhenJohnNegroponte,headof USintelligence,madeasecretvisittoPineGapinthesameweekofouraction,the paperscalledhimthetopUSSpook.Whatanappropriatetitle,Ithought.The500orso USworkersfromPineGaphavereallybeenlikeghosts,nowheretobeseen,astheir Australiancounterpartsdotheirdirtyworkforthem. **Thedatefortheappealhearinghasbeensetfor20thFebruary2007

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LIBERATED

IRAQ
Therehasbeenmuchdebateaboutwhatthewarwas/isaboutoil, WMDs,SaddamHussein,USimperialdomination,Israel...buttheabove photowilltellwhatthiswarandallwarsareabout.Studyit.Youwilllearn alot.