Deseret News | DeChristopher pleads not guilty after marching with supporters

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DeChristopher pleads not guilty after marching with supporters

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It's a shame | 12:33 p.m. April 28, 2009

I think this man has some good ideas but he should have shared them in a more respectable way. There are many ways to declare your voice without breaking the law.

Oh Please | 1:13 p.m. April 28, 2009

DeChristopher is another Thoreau, Martin Luther King, Gandhi. I'm donating to his defense--how about you?

Tree Hugger's Ball | 1:48 p.m. April 28, 2009

Maybe he'll be able to talk his cellmates out of drilling; maybe he won't.

I say he's earned the opportunity.

Comments continue below

Thomas Paine | 2:11 p.m. April 28, 2009

DeChristopher is a common criminal. Perhaps, he believe the "ends justifies his means" but this University of Utah economics student needs to go back to class and learn a bit more. He only hurts his cause.

Should do his time | 2:13 p.m. April 28, 2009

DeChristopher broke the law, and should be punished. The bid was for mineral leases. Not actual drilling. Oil companies lock up land through leases all the time to keep the competition out, and may have never drilled.

There are millions of acres in Utah locked up with mineral leases, but only a handful of wells that have been drilled in the last 5 years.

His little speach and march today will probably hurt his case. I guess he wants to be the poster child.

The fact remains. He lied, cheated, and broke the law. Those are the facts. Nothing else matters.

Not me | 2:15 p.m. April 28, 2009

I've got better things to do with my money.

And I don't believe in the atheistic environmentalist movement.

Guilty | 2:32 p.m. April 28, 2009

The law is the law. It is to bad that just because someone has a cause that they feel strong about, they think the law doesn't apply to them. They believe their moral law trumps the law of the land...This is very sad.

re Oh Please | 2:33 p.m. April 28, 2009

This man is nothing more than a fool! As are you if you give him money.

zoobie | 2:57 p.m. April 28, 2009

cell mates... drilling.. that is a good one. I am sure he will be thinking about the environment when he is in prison. This guy is a martyr to a totally bogus cause. What a moron!!

Anonymous | 3:00 p.m. April 28, 2009

Environmentalists are not exempt from obeying the law

Sam Crockett | 3:03 p.m. April 28, 2009

He is a close minded fascist...shouting down the other side because he feels there should be no other side.

JWebb | 3:40 p.m. April 28, 2009

Atheistic? Really? What about this movement is lacking a spiritual entity? Or were you implying that people like me, who would like to salvage our land, money, and livelihood in concern for all living creatures, are simply incongruent to your own doctrine?

You may not like the environmentalist movement- but I can assert you, there is no good reason not to.

Make an example | 3:49 p.m. April 28, 2009

The man flat out broke the law. He should be given an fairn and orderly trial then sentenced to some time to send a message to the next knucklehead.

Cats | 4:23 p.m. April 28, 2009

This guy is typical of the "anointed." These are the people who know more than anyone else. They know what's best for the rest of us better than we do. They are only saving "the planet" and their cause is so noble, they are permitted to do anything regardless of what it is.

We thought we had overcome worldwide totalitarian socialism. Unfortunately, it has only been replaced by worldwide totalitarian environmentalism.

Anonymous | 4:24 p.m. April 28, 2009

DeChristopher you are my hero!

Anon | 4:26 p.m. April 28, 2009

What a bunch of whack jobs.

Rule of Law | 4:37 p.m. April 28, 2009

It's a circular path or blind alley, depending on one's view of laws, the right and moral persuasion. DeChristopher is a bright, well educated and thoughtful person - with a point of view - and like his ideals or not, he's a human that should be respected. His violation is just "how serious" as compared to law breakers in Kane County that day after day tore down BLM signs, intentionally rode through closed WSA's on BLM land, or intentionally grazed cows in closed areas or closed riparian zones? There are law breakers all over, if folk simply turn around and look. DeChristopher with his drama and many others too. Except that most don't seem to care that others break laws - it's just Tim DC that needs to abide by the rule of law? It's a paradox and pandoras box of sorts. Rule breakers abound - few are charged. Some are applauded and others scorned. Politicians are "not exempt from obeying the law"(also)? And torture, that's another subject - breaking the law! And denying it too.

Dan | 5:01 p.m. April 28, 2009

I love the environment, I think it is our responsibility to be stewards over this wonderful planet. I try not to be wasteful, take care of my yard and do things within reason.

Truthfully, who doesn't want to protect the environment?

The problem I have with guys like this is they force there views on everyone else. They critize businesses and are parasites to society. To people like this I have to say, quit critizing other peoples good efforts and instead develop some better efforts yourself.

He's My Hero! | 5:02 p.m. April 28, 2009

NOT!

Goof with ears | 5:03 p.m. April 28, 2009

This is the kind of guy that may even mean well but does more harm than good. I don't think he is basically honest. Another place we see this type of behavior is in the fisheries areas of Utah. We get alot of individuals that "know better" than the fisheries management people and then our resources suffer. Get rid of the "self annointed" types. Organizations need to take responsibility and help keep these duffs from being the "face of conservation" which they are not. If he winds up in prison for a time, he has earned it and didn't help conservation at all.

Lets hope | 5:14 p.m. April 28, 2009

the courts don't play politics with this. Decide the case based on the evidence! I doubt very much if Federal Justices will be interested in his politics!

He's already boasted about his little scam on the steps of the courthouse, how can he not be convicted?

Fools indeed | 5:17 p.m. April 28, 2009

Your tax dollars at work. While dangerous criminals run free, judicial and presecutorial resources are being wasted pursing a man who hurt not a soul. All he did was disrupt a corrupted system (the impropriety of which was confirmed later by the Secretary of the Interior). He deserves your gratitude, not jail. The upside is that this case is drawing positive publicity to his cause. All Utahns are better off for what Tim DeChristopher did.

Eighty | 5:25 p.m. April 28, 2009

This man reminds me of a U of U student at a seminar I participated in decades ago about "Environmental Economics". The question: private power companies or government entities such as TVA? He interrupted everyone screaming that it was immoral to make a profit on a necessity. I finally shut him up by asking him if he ever bought groceries. That was in 1977 when Jimmy Carter had almost shut the country down by his non-existent energy policies.

Bring 2 Sides Together | 5:27 p.m. April 28, 2009

Tim DeChristopher is concerned about global warming. Most of the folks in this discussion are concerned about law and order. I see a meeting of the minds here. Rigorously enforce speed limits on our highways.

Anonymous | 5:48 p.m. April 28, 2009

The only people Tim criticizes are people that are immoral, that steal a future from our children (yes, even the children of those who don't yet see his wisdom and ability for much-needed leadership).

Those of you who say our movement is atheist, and even that it is purely an environmental movement, are wrong. It is a civil rights movement. Remember how civil rights leaders were jailed for their actions against corrupt people? This is the same thing.

Regardless of whether Deseret News readers approve, there are many of us, growing in number. We will take the action necessary while you whine. You'll thank us later.

olderthan dirt.................. | 6:10 p.m. April 28, 2009

This guy is a punk..........He thinks he can snub his nose at the law.....just like the mink killers who destroy an entire business and feel it is their right!

If I were you boys I would start looking over your shoulder when you do this type of thing....One of these days you may here a chant that resembles "remember the Alamo" as someone gets tired of your garbage!!

HEY "FooL"....how | 6:26 p.m. April 28, 2009

do you break the law and get away with It?

John Pack Lambert | 7:57 p.m. April 28, 2009

DeChristopher clerly broke the law. He even intentionally and willfully broke the law with the intention to disrupt the activities of others. I applaud the government for prosecuting him.

Robert | 8:03 p.m. April 28, 2009

This is so melodramatic. "Thoreau, Martin Luther King, Gandhi"? Hardly.

This guy is just playing to the cameras.

djt | 9:09 p.m. April 28, 2009

It would be refreshing to see someone actually willing to go to jail for their beliefs. I wonder if this guy is trying to get prosecuted so he can get air time rather than jail time.
If he does get locked up, perhaps we could reduce his carbon footprint for him. No air conditioning, wool blankets instead of heat in the winter, no meat in his meals, no internet, etc.
I suspect that many enviro mental cases simply want everyone else to pay for their ideals.

Pete | 9:24 p.m. April 28, 2009

Send him to jail along with lots more tree huggers

Ignorance On Parade | 10:06 p.m. April 28, 2009

Ignorance took a parade walk today. DeChristopher and his 200 followers. Ignorance on parade. What a bunch of misguided folks. They are so mis-informed it is pathetic.

To djt at 9:09, and others... | 1:21 a.m. April 29, 2009

If he goes to a county jail, especially like the one in Uintah County, he would not have air conditioning, very little heat, not much meat, and I don't know any jail or prison that has internet for inmates.

This man committed a crime, and he's bragging about it, thinking it is no big deal. People like him, and others who are in the new government, are destroying the oil industry in eastern Utah and western Colorado. Hundreds of people have lost their jobs in this area. As a nation, we need the oil that is produced here. Of course we should look at alternatives, too, but should not completely shut down oil production in the mean time. We are already too dependent on foreign oil. It doesn't make sense to cripple our own oil producing industry, cause many people to become unemployed, and negatively impact the economy of a large area. Drilling takes place with a great deal of concern for the environment, every day. Preserving the environment while continuing a vital industry are not incompatible, and in fact, quite possible.

Greg | 6:35 a.m. April 29, 2009

Too bad he cant serve his time with Sherrif Joe Arpaio.

m | 8:13 a.m. April 29, 2009

If he broke the law he will be punished. What I fail to see in these comments is the questioning of the prosecutors descretion in bringing this case in the first place. Has there never been an oil and gas company that bid on a parcel and then failed to have the payment to hold the lease or the intent and ability to work it? Isn't that sort of speculation just as disruptive to the leasing process as what this guy did? Maybe it's just not as politically opportunistic as prosecuting a self proclaimed monkey-wrencher in Utah.

Knowwhat | 8:14 a.m. April 29, 2009

Rule of Law, what a diatribe of paradoxical mularky. He has proven that he can not be trusted, therefore he reduces the level of respect that he deserves. I guess the real question is how many other laws has he broke that he is hiding. His agenda is self serving and opportunistic, based on his view of superior knowledge and insight. He is no more than a religious bigot, with a total lack of humility and care for others and their opinions. He is aboard the Facist train. Sounds like "Fools indeed" is aboard that same train.

"Stupid is as stupid does"

Humiliating | 8:26 a.m. April 29, 2009

Gotta love liberals. They falsely accuse President Bush of criminal activity, then support a real criminal like this. Please, be consistent, and stop humiliating yourselves.

Dave | 8:30 a.m. April 29, 2009

laughed my butt off at the following comment, high up in the thread:

"And I don't believe in the atheistic environmentalist movement." --Someone going by "not me"

Wow.

I didn't know caring about the environment made me an atheist. My bishop will be shocked. My temple recommend is a sham, i suppose. I guess I'd better be released from my calling and excommunicated.

Enviromentalist LDS and proud of it.

Where would Jesus pollute?

Mike | 8:30 a.m. April 29, 2009

Just another EmviroNazi pushing an agenda that will not help us and won't help the environment anyway.

Not Guilty by virtue of what? | 8:36 a.m. April 29, 2009

His liberalism? Way to go Timmy! Because of your hot-shot, unrepentant attitude you'll probably get 5 years instead of just 3. You can read about "global warming;" why don't you take a momonent with your high-priced attorneys and read the FEDERAL SENTENCING GUIDELINE!!!!???? Stick it to him Brett! And if Holder retaliates against you for simply doing your job, you can get him fired like Gonzales was and save us the legacy of a horrible US AG (anyone would be better - even Jan Graham!) And besides, you could join the Ashcroft firm and be making SIX TIMES what almost-broke Uncle Sam is paying you!

Geezer | 8:44 a.m. April 29, 2009

The US attorney should do something worthwhile and go after ORV lawbreakers. First on the list should be Lynn Stevens, a county commissioner who led a procession of ORVs into Arch Canyon in 2004 after BLM denied a permit for the event.

Do Something First | 8:45 a.m. April 29, 2009

I wise man once said that college students and their professors should not be allowed an opinion until they get out of college and start contributing to society.

Sock to him! | 9:16 a.m. April 29, 2009

Have no pitty on this man, Mr. Tolman. Environmentalists deserve to be treated with an iron fist. They punish the rest of the us,normal human beings, by negating economic progress to our state and delaying our independence from foreign oil. Environmentalists are committing a crime against humanity! Sock it to them, Mr. Tolman. Show DeChristopher that his ARROGANT and DEFIANT ATTITUDE will not persuade you from applying the full weight of the law on him.

climate justice is survival | 9:34 a.m. April 29, 2009

Tim dechristopher has started the movement that our country, if not the world, crucially needs. If no one is willing to stand up to the government and make it clear that this is a true democracy, the future will prove to me disasterous. All of you who beleive that tim was simply breaking the law, please study up on the way that the auction was set up in the first place. It was a last minute effort of Bush to sell of this land to businesses and tried to keep the public out of the decision. They were infact breaking their own rules to put on this aution in the first place. This is the future of OUR land, life, and liberty. The land which Tim bid on to safe was near the arches as well as other beautiful locations in southern Utah which we use. Do we REALLY think that its worth opening up to drilling and mining so that we can last a little bit longer on this addiction to our current technology? What about when its all gone? I WILL be standing with Tim to prove that he is not alone in the cause. Now or Never!

Oh Please | 9:36 a.m. April 29, 2009

Tolman is wasting his time and our money. Why doesn't he prosecute the lawbreakers in Kane County who ripped up roadsigns on Federal property? They broke the law, didn't they? DeChristopher is a man of the highest moral authority--the kind who challenges an unjust law. There are precedents, but not enough of them.

Bob2 | 9:57 a.m. April 29, 2009

Man, if you pull against this guy you are certainly climbing onboard with the "that there global warmin' hoo hah is jest a buncha malarky," crowd. I won't go there. We are in real trouble and we are handing a problem to our children that they will NOT be able to fix. For a state that is supposed to care sooooo very much about children, Utah seems to have little problem ignoring the disaster of coal and bequeathing their kids a future filled with gas masks and global migration. One coal capture site in the entire US? New dirty coal plants built every few months. We're in trouble folks.

Big Time | 10:21 a.m. April 29, 2009

Everyone that has entered a comment on this intenet site has used up natural resources and contributed to their so called global warming. It is really hilarious to see all of the kooks out there. Every time they buy groceries they cause massive trucks to use up the part of the earth they are trying to protect. They don't even have a functioning brain.

RE: Big Time | 11:14 a.m. April 29, 2009

Good point - if someone cares about the environment, they shouldn't buy groceries.

People like you would call someone a whack job for living off the land or trying to have zero impact, but if someone's trying to live a normal life with less impact, they don't have a functioning brain.

Maybe people are only smart if they do exactly as you do.

Big Time indeed.

A bit of bad | 11:21 a.m. April 29, 2009

news for supporters of this guy: Federal Court Judges couldn't care less your politics, or whether you have 200 "sponsors" or 2 million. Once the trial starts ONLY FACTS regarding the law are taken into consideration.

Both Yengich and Shea are good attys. BUT both have lost a few cases also.

If he's convicted and winds up in lockup there's a good chance he'll be in a federal correctional institution. After 48 or so hrs. in federal prison he may find his politics somewhat changed!

Jury nullification | 11:23 a.m. April 29, 2009

A juror's "not guilty" vote is the last line of defense against the unjust application of a law.

It's proper for a defendant to plead "not guilty" in the hope that one or more jurors will judge the law as unjust or unjustly applied, as well as the facts.

For more information about jury rights, visit the Fully Informed Jury Association.

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