Jury is out re: St. Patrick's Four

[whyzayker]

The jury was read 50 pages of rules before being released to consider the fate of the SP4. The s.o.b. prosecutor went as far as to invoke the name of Tim McVeigh in his closing arguments to the jury. We're hoping the jury doesn't rush to a verdict to avoid being sequestered over the weekend.

Keep your fingers crossed.

[truebrit71]

1. Jeebus that was quick....

..I hope this falls flat....

[phusion]

2. That was a short trial...

Didn't it just start Monday?

[spuddonna]

3. They've already done closing arguments!? Holy crap!

Please keep us updated on this... I didn't hear any additional info - were they ever able to get a defense for these people?

[willing dwarf]

4. The Way of Peace?

The St. Patrick's Four's action stands as witness that Peace is about living the way of Peace, not the way of war. It may mean sacrifice of your own freedom, your own life's blood. But it's not to create an "us" vs. "them" attitude.

I enjoy the snark around here as much as anyone. But it will do little to change anything if we who are working for peace are going round referring to the prosecutors as SOB's and such.

[whyzayker]

5. No apologies

My reference to the prosecutor as such was in reaction to what was obviously a desperate attempt to equate peaceful demonstration with domestic terrorism.

The prosectutor also stated that to excuse the actions of the SP4 would be like excusing someone who bombs an abortion clinic. You have to remember that Binghamton, NY is this little isolated conservative pot hole and the people here are easily led. Including juries. Hell, even the pro SP4 people never heard of Sibel Edmonds!

The prosecution basically "created" a federal law with which to bring these four to trial after being aquitted in state court. On top of that, the judge forbid any reference to the four's motive in the trial.

I understand what you're trying to say but if we're going to spat over our own "freedom of expression" we're not going to get very far. This trial has been remarkably like the civil rights "trials" in the deep South back in the 60's. From the media coverage to the public opinion based on nothing but ignorance.

With all due respect, Dwarf, an s.o.b. is an s.o.b. and quite frankly, after 5 years of this crap - I'm tired of being polite.

[lapislzi]

6. Binghamton is a university town

They are not all as dumb as that. SUNY is probably the only viable industry left in the Triple Cities (or the Triple Shitties, as we used to call them). IBM--out. Smith Corona--out. Endicott-Johnson Shoes--out. A few other medium-sized manufacturing concerns--out.

So, many of the townies are exposed to a university atmosphere on a daily basis because that's where the work is (you can't outsource a university). Some of it is bound to sink in with some of the people. Of course, when I was a work-study student in the early 80's, the divide between the "Harpur people" as the faculty and students were called, and the "townies" was huge. They hated us; we viewed them as superstitious peasants. I don't know if that has changed.

I also noted on my last visit there that some kind of bible college has sprung up in the town. I didn't stick around to find out more about it. Any Binghamtonians care to enlighten me?

[whyzayker]

7. Sorry

The "university crowd" has completely ignored this trial. Seriously.

The other night at one of the tribunals being held here after court gets out, someone stood up and asked for all the SUNY Binghamton students to raise their hands.

None were raised.

The Bible college you refer to has been here for a VERY long time - it hasn't just "sprung up." It just got a new name.

I know about the "townie" syndrome you speak of, but you obviously haven't been here in a long time. The university population is not a source of learning or influence for the general population here. They are despised for renting housing in affluent neighborhoods and partying all night. At least that's the attitude you see in the local paper.It's sad, but as I have said, this town has gone to hell in a bubble.

Sure, Binghamton is a university town, but the difference between here and Ithaca is like night and day. We might as well be a little red state surrounded by blue.

Trust me. I live here.

[lapislzi]

8. So it hasn't changed much...

Although from what you're describing it sounds like the university community has gone apolitical. That's too bad. I had a good, public, Marxist education at SUNY Binghamton and I enjoyed the leftist atmosphere of the Harpur campus (not SOM). There was some good Marxist thought coming out of the departments. I get the impression that SOM is the big thing now...no more liberal arts. No more education for education's sake. That in itself is a tragedy.

Amazing how I could have lived there for 4 years and never knew about the bible college. I used to get around. Wonder how I missed it.

Binghamton was always a bit of a party school, but we were the smart kids; I always thought some of the other schools partied heartier than we did. And we were never especially well-to-do (at least not my crowd). Hell, it was a public university. The kids with money went to Syracuse, Ithaca, and Cornell.

You're right; I haven't really "been" there in 20 years. I go from time to time because I actually like the place. Maybe I should spend some more time there to see how accurate my perceptions are.

I am sorry to hear the city has lost its vibrancy.

And what of the verdict?