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Can These Chemical Companies Clear Their Names?

Posted December 02, 2010 9:00 AM by Steve Melito

Greenpeace has filed a federal lawsuit against Dow Chemical and Sasol North America, alleging that the chemical companies and their agents hired security experts to spy on the environmental organization. The 56-page lawsuit also claims that off-duty police officers and former National Security Agency (NSA) computer experts from Beckett Brown International (BBI) performed "clandestine and unlawful" activities against Greenpeace in order to undermine the group's activities against the chemical industry.

In its court filing, Greenpeace states that BBI used "surreptitious and deceitful methods" such as stealing discarded documents, infiltrating community action groups, and hacking private email networks. Greenpeace was the not the only target, however. According to the civil complaint, "there is considerable evidence" that BBI conducted similar campaigns against the Center for Food Safety, Friends of the Earth, and the National Environmental Trust.

Is this a public relations disaster for Dow and Sasol, or just business as usual in the battle between the chemical industry and environmental organizations?

Source: Court Filing and The Washington Post

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#1

Re: Can These Chemical Companies Clear Their Names?

12/02/2010 9:36 AM

No public relations nightmare here. The only thing listed that may be illegal is hacking into email. Greenpeace is grasping at straws.

These environmental organizations have resorted to guerrilla tactics that have resulted in massive property damage and even death. The companies have a right to defend and protect themselves. The list of complaints sounds about the same as the work that any private investigator does, (legally), in the course of their work.

Do I think that that these companies should be allowed to poison the oceans, rivers, groundwater, etc.? Absolutely not.............but let's face it, whether it's chemicals or lumber, we need the things that these companies produce. Greenpeace and friends, while their intent may be good, their tactics are out of control and dangerous. They hate all of the oil companies too, but they're all driving around in cars aren't they?

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Re: Can These Chemical Companies Clear Their Names?

12/02/2010 2:43 PM

The head of Greenpeace has said "that it is justifiable to break the law in order to alert people to the threat of climate change."

Kumi Naidoo

Looks like fair play to me. They can use these words against them in say they were just trying prevent criminal activity against them. That the worlds criminal activity is more harmful to it's people then climate change.

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Re: Can These Chemical Companies Clear Their Names?

12/02/2010 4:48 PM

There is a huge difference in openly breaking the law, as in civil disobedience, a misdemeanour, and hacking into someones network, a felony.

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Re: Can These Chemical Companies Clear Their Names?

12/03/2010 7:58 AM

Yes there is.

There is no justification for both parties to either of them. I also believe that if one is willing to break the law for media attention. Then breaking the law becomes habit and is incorporated in to other activities. Even the the investigation of other laws broken by the Greenpeace would mean more media attention. So they are ignored unless grievously wrong or damaging.

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Re: Can These Chemical Companies Clear Their Names?

12/02/2010 11:54 PM

Well I have to say spying is a broad term, following and reporting is not illegal, any computer hacking is, so is mail theft and so on, even joining a group for decitful and dispruptive or destructive reasons is unlawful, if they have the evidence then hang em high, if not then all will be well. Of note though is the failure of any slander suit to be screamed out loudly at an outrageous acusation, innocent people protest loudly, guilty people sit quietly and hope it will all die down.

Sure greenies drive cars, GM killed the electric car that could have been solar recharged, we use what we have and improve as we can afford or by what is available, not eating because you do not like the food is a poor excuse for starvation, calling a greenie stupid for driving the car is as insane a request as it is to refuse food if you are starving.

Yes we are an environmental firm, though pollution not animals, we support eating all animals, pretty parrots, fluffy animals or any over populated species, true environmentalism is just common sense; We do not support save the sharks that are eating people, nor suffering people who are anti green action groups just because.

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#6

Re: Can These Chemical Companies Clear Their Names?

12/03/2010 10:17 AM

Hi Moose,

Environmental protection is one. Spying on an organization is another. I am sure both organization, inthis case, when to practice what we can call "clandestine and unlawful" activities, which never created any pollution or environmental hazards. This is a case between two organization and doesn't concern environment or chemical industry.

Wish good time and large expenses for both, Gil.

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02/14/2011 1:49 AM

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