June 16, 2000: Far-left terrorists attack car dealership in Oregon, US

EUGENE, OREGON – It’s funny sometimes how terrorists mix ideologies.

One of the most significant underlying ’causes’ of terrorism is usually described as ‘ideology‘. This is a devilishly difficult term to define and is often seen differently by different people.

In my experience some ideologies are better developed than others. By this I mean that there is a literature, an agreed common understanding of key ideas, and often a core of thinkers and influencers who are seen as role models.

Modern Islamist terrorism follows this pattern. Jihadi groups around the world all use the same Quranic verses and hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) in their communications. This makes for a tight set of ideas.

On the other hand, I have seen that other forms of terrorism (right wing extremism for example) seem to be a grab bag of grievances, complaints and beliefs. The same goes for the far left.

Sometimes, so-called far left terrorists appear, at least to me, to be a confused lot. Today’s featured attack may be a good example.

On this day in 2000

Two men described as environmental activists and ‘anarchists’, Jeffrey Luers and Craig Marshall, bombed a Chevrolet dealership in Eugene, Oregon, destroying three pickup trucks. The men were caught and accused of arson: they had apparently engaged in a similar attempt the month before. There were no casualties.

‘Corporate media protects corporate interests. You’ll probably use inflammatory quotes and say I’m some crazy son of a bitch.

‘Critter’, i.e. Craig Marshall

Environmentalism. Anarchism. Arson. Sounds like a dog’s breakfast to me.

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