A former bartender from Fayetteville, Arkansas, Julia had
just recovered from a terrible auto accident, which prompted
her to seek a more meaningful life.
This bold and audacious action certainly gave me pause to
think. It made me wonder why she would spend two years of her
life there.
I found Julia's own web page, and contacted her through the
"Ask Julia" link. Here is a copy of my question:
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Ask Julia
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003
From: Russell Josephson
To: info@circleoflife.org
Hi Julia,
Some time ago I heard that you spent over two years in a tree as a
protest against logging. I learned that the tree was not even on public
land--that your protest was not intended to influence government policy, but
to change the mind of the landowner.
To look at things from a utilitarian standpoint, what was the point of
the protest? It must have cost a lot of money to keep you warm, fed, and
clothed during that time, not to mention your cellular phone bill. (The
article that I read said that you spent most of your time on the telephone.)
If you wanted to preserve trees, why not do any kind of productive work,
and earn funds to purchase land for preservation? Organizations such as the
Nature Conservancy collect donations for this very purpose.
Was the protest just a political statement? I have speculated that you
may subscribe to a "progressive" political mindset, which regards private
ownership of land with hostility. Such a position would support protest over
purchase.
Or perhaps the tree-sit was mainly a publicity stunt, not intended to
preserve trees, but to rally opposition to logging, while establishing your
own credentials as an environmental "activist"?
I would appreciate hearing your honest views on this subject. I myself
love the wilderness, while I also believe that private ownership of property
is an important right, to be protected in our society.
Regards,
As of this writing, Ms. Hill has not answered my email, so I
am left to draw my own conclusions.
Julia Hill now makes her living as a speaker, and by running
her own "Circle of Life" nonprofit organization.
http://www.circleoflife.org
It seems to me that Julia Hill, like many "progressive" activists, is
motivated more by a desire for personal power than anything else.
As a member of a new elite class, this power enables her to lead an
exciting life, all the while supported by the labor or other people.
To email me, use this address:
All contents Copyright 2003
