Also on todays show...

Lyrics Born
"Pack Up Remix (feat KRS-One & Evidence/Dilated Peoples, prod Jumbo/Lifesavas)" (mp3)
from "Same !@#$ Different Day"
(Quannum Projects)

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Sally Shapiro, Junior Boys
"Jackie Junior" (mp3)
from "Remix Romance Vol. 1"
(Paper Bag Records)

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Vetiver
"Blue Driver" (mp3)
from "Thing Of The Past"
(Gnomonsong)

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First, I want to clear up one detail of the story. Currently, Chelsea is slated to testify against one of the last remaining defendants. However, when we recorded the âTrue Meaning of Radicalâ? in late July, this wasnât the case. At that time, Chelsea had no way of knowing that she would be forced to testify against another co-defendant in order to protect her plea-bargain. I discovered this in mid-September. I sought verification from Chelsea, but ultimately had to turn to her lawyer who got back to me 10 days before the scheduled release of the episode. Though the details of her plea agreement had changed, I didnât feel it warranted sacrificing the whole story. In hindsight, I should have included a postscript. I will correct the audio file to reflect this change.

The Dirtbag Diaries is a collection of stories from people with profound connection to mountains, rivers and oceans. In some way or another, the natural world has inspired these people to do incredible things. Corey Rich creates stunning images. Steve House climbs improbable peaks. Chelsea Gerlach and her fellow E.L.F. members attempted to draw public attention to our nationâs rampant energy consumption and harmful development practices albeit in a deeply misguided and harmful manner.

When I started work on this story, there were 18 people in custody on charges related to the E.L.F. actions. The majority had opted to cooperate with federal prosecutors in exchange for reduced sentences. Pleading guilty to these crimes allowed these members to openly discuss their involvement in the E. L. F. As noted in the comments, four defendants accepted responsibility but refused to cooperate. They were in no position to discuss the details of their involvement. Of those that cooperated, Chelsea stood out for a few reasons. First, Chelsea is the only living person present the night Vail Resortâs Two Elks Lodge went up in flames. Whether you think the Vail arson was a despicable, cowardly act or a deserved wake up call to the Westâs big corporations, that act is undeniably one of the most important moments in the American environmental movement. Second, Chelsea authored the majority of the media communiquà sent through the E.L.F.âs spokesperson. These letters and communiquÃs were designed to intimidate and instill fear. The threat of physical violence hovers over the words. If you harbor romantic notions that E.L.F. actions didnât have a direct, frightening impact on some peopleâs lives, I encourage you to read some excerpts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Earth_Liberation_Front_actions

Ultimately, it was her photo that pushed me to contact Chelsea. Her eyes gleamed with a keen intelligence. I struggled to match her image with the voice in the letters. As both a writer and a person, I was fascinated. How does a young girl with all the promise in the world evolve into a person willing to commit crimes against the government? What makes Chelsea different from you or me?

This isnât a story about heroism. Itâs not about glossing over or rewriting one of the darkest moments in the environmental movementâs history. It is about bringing the reflections, voice and story of one of the few people with the authority to speak about how damaging and harmful these underground actions were to both the victims of the attacks and the people who carried them out. This is a story about a young woman -- gifted with intelligence, a good heart and deep passion -- who was seduced by the darkest emotions. Rage and hate have a way of distorting a personâs moral compass.

Chelseaâs actions, her voice, her words -- they arenât easy to listen to. They exist in that gray area between right and wrong. This does not diminish the importance of her voice. When it comes to activism, to her passion for the planet, to her pursuit of a moral path, Chelsea isnât a person free of moral contradictions. When those contradictions became apparent in our conversation, I made a point of asking about them. Chances are those same contradictions exist in you. I do know that when I left the Multnomah County Detention Facility on a sunny day in July, I left questioning my own path. As I said, her voice isnât easy to listen to. Itâs been almost impossible to forget. As Chelsea noted, in this day and age when our wild places exist in a precarious balance, we need radical voices more than ever. Have a second listen.

Fitz Cahall

Download "Born On The Cusp" (mp3)
from "Set Free"
by The American Analog Set
Arts & Crafts

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