Letters to the Editor
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A thought.
But the USA Patriot Act created a new category of domestic terrorism, which is defined as an offense "calculated to influence or affect the conduct of government" or "to intimidate or coerce a civilian population." Under this broad definition, eco-saboteurs become terrorists if their crime seeks to change government policy or action.
This could actually be applied to a great many things; the first to come to mind is the anti-abortion movement. They've planted bombs and shot doctors before.. Under this definition, they would inherently become terrorists.
Of course, this administration would not apply it like that. We know that because of the 2007 Austin Woman's Health Center bomb. A bomb made up of 10 pounds of gunpowder and nails was left in the parking lot, and luckily failed to explode. The bomber was sentenced to 40 years after being charged with "Attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, malicious attempt to damage a building and property by means of explosive and fire, possession of a destructive device by a convicted felon" and two counts of use and carrying of a destructive device in relation to a crime of violence.
While the "weapon of mass destruction" charge is amusing (in terms of it typically being applied to nuclear/chemical/biological devices), you should note the lack of any terrorism charge. How deeply did they probe into his contacts to ensure that he was a 'lone gunman'? Did they use wiretaps and informants? How deeply involved was he in the anti-abortion movement?
Notice that Briana Waters is facing a 40-year sentence as well (20-years for arson, with a 'terrorist-enhancement' of another 20-years). Holding a walkie-talkie in a bush during the arson of an empty building is the equivalent of attempting to blow up a woman's health clinic full of people.
From the tone of this article, it appears that the lengths they are willing to go for ecoterrorists is much farther than they will go for anti-abortionists.