Train protests modest gifts

As publicity stunts go, railroad actions by Direct Action Spokane are modest gifts to our neighbors who want to preserve a livable planet but don’t know how or are afraid to criticize corporate ecocide. Until Citizens United is overcome, corporate money will buy votes and candidates to taint our elections, provide life support to print media and render quaint The Spokesman-Review’s eclectic political endorsements.

Still, it’s fascinating that your editorial board chose to link Shar Lichty to us (DAS) to endorse Jeff Holy. My editorial point of view would link Joe Pakootas to us in order to reject Rep. McMorris Rodgers who will support whatever environmental damage the Republican Party deems necessary.

Had we the resources of BNSF, we might pull stunts like full-page, color ads to link fossil-fueled events like typhoons in Seattle and earthquakes in Oklahoma and Kansas to corporate greed. Big business uses money and profit to justify its role in the destruction of the earth. Nonviolent direct action is the currency of Gandhi, King and the water protectors at Standing Rock. With this currency, I buy into peace, justice and a future for my grandchildren. Without it, my vote is pathetic.

Rusty Nelson

Rockford