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Editor’s Opinion

Michael Scarpitti – the name evokes thoughts of a Mafia family – was finally arrested Saturday, March 15. Most people know him by his chosen name of Tre Arrow – the young, skinny guy with the scraggly beard who scaled he forestry building in Portland and lived on a perch for 11 days in protest of logging.

Climbing the city building was one of Scarpitti’s mild publicity stunts. Later that year he fell 60 feet from a tree during another logging protest. And he seems to have a penchant for adding fire to his performances. In the name of Mother Earth, Scarpitti is accused of set logging trucks on fire, participating in an arson attack on the Ross Island Sand & Gravel Company, and may possibly be linked to the firebombing of a logging company in Estacada. (Doesn’t he care about air pollution?)

After these stunts, Scarpitti disappeared and was put on the FBI’s 10 most wanted list. It is believed he was associated with the environmental group, the Earth Liberation Front, commonly known as the ELF, which is considered by the FBI to be the nation’s No. 1 domestic terrorism priority.

The petty crime of shoplifting brought this mastermind down. He was caught in Victoria, British Columbia, after being on the run for two years, trying to steal some bolt cutters – seemingly he was still in the environmental business. He was accused of theft, assault and obstruction after the arrest.

Good riddance I say.

It is important for people to be passionate about their beliefs. But to resort to violence and high profile circus acts ostensibly for a grand cause, but in reality for the celebrity factor, is merely the mark of an egotistical megalomaniac.

Scarpitti, and others like him – whether they be environmentalists, right-wing conservatives, abortion advocates, pro-lifers or members of public radio – do their cause a disservice by acting in such an insular manner. Their actions devalue and obscure their message and thwart any headway the group may be making. At first, over-the-top, headline-seeking actions merely strengthen and lend credence to the opposition. Then the cause is marginalized and becomes back-page news if that. What is gained is a name and 15 minutes of fame for the zealots.

The Tre Arrows of the world are nothing less than bigots. With all that is going on in the world today, we need a lot less Tre Arrows. Where are the Mahatma Gandhis and Martin Luther Kings when we need them?