For the sake of our freedom

Fellow Hashers,

the news is on the New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/25/nyregion/25beer.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

and on many other papers (Der Spiegel: http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/0,1518,501968,00.html) : in Connecticut two hashers were charged of felony because they were setting a trail with flour in an Ikea parking lot and someone called the police for fear it was anthrax… The thing resulted in a bioterrorism scare and in a massive evacuation: dozens of New Haven and state police officers, firefighters, health department workers, FBI agents and other personnel from New Haven and neighboring communities, as well as special equipment from the U.S. Postal Service's were involved. All this, just for some flour.

The two hares, Dr Salchow and his sister from Germany, now risk to be indicted and to be asked for restitution ($50,000) from the City and Ikea.

There are a lot of stories like that in the Hash community: in Rome two years ago, while setting the Ides of march trail, I had to go and explain to the police, and the fact that I’m from the MoJ helped ease the tension. Years ago, when I laid a trail from the car of my father, someone told police a guy was pouring cocaine from a car. Than police called my guvnor and asked for explanation, and silently withdrew when they heard my dad was a … judge…

Not to forget the Anthrax scare case in Ostia wich resulted in annoying consequences for our fellow hare: http://www.rh3.it/anthrax/index1.htm

I want to say, enough is enough. We could downplay those ‘funny’ accidents, but I think our freedom is now at stake. Besides, is the best gift we can do to real terrorists, changing our lifestyle, feeling scared, restricting the spaces of our civil liberties.

I’m not familiar with Connecticut legislation, but as a lawyer and a director for the Ministry of Justice I know that under any legislation in the free world, no one can be held responsible for a crime if he did not act INTENTIONALLY.

People should be held responsible for THEIR behavior, not for the way others interpret it. No one is responsible for others’ anxiousness and oversensitivity. If people is scared by flour, their problem. What then if someone feels scared by black people? Is it his problem, or of the guy with a black skin?

I think all Hashers must stand by our fellow Hares. And if there are legal expenses to pay, I propose all chapters should contribute. Besides, those in the city of New Haven who complain that public money was spent, should not want to spend more of it on a farce trial.

The involved Hare, Dr Daniel Salchow, a German, is an ophthalmologist who works with needy children through a Yale University program. This is what hashers are: serious, responsible and respected member of the community who have the right to have their pastimes, not idiots who like to cause alarm on purpose. Through the HHH club I met a lot of American people, including civil servants, law enforcers, military officers, ambassadors.

I propose the following actions:

1. Write to the Mayor of New Haven, John DeStefano and ask him not to seek restitution: MayorDeStefano@newhavenct.net
   
   
2. Write Ikea USA and tell them, if THEY sue the Salchows, WE boycott them (hell, there are half a million hashers worldwide, this should count!).
   http://info.ikea-usa.com/IKEAContactUs/Contact.aspx
   On their website they say: “IKEA New Haven supports non-political, non-religious, non-profit organizations who work in the community to create a better everyday life for children and families”. Well, Hash House Harriers is exactly that kind of organization (or better… dis-organisation).
   
   
3. Sign the online petition to New Haven’s Mayor: http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?HareHelp&1
   
   
4. Write to every newspaper online in New Haven that accepts readers’ feedback, as I did: http://www.newhavenadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=2746
   
   
5. Write to the Connecticut’s State Attorney for New Haven:
   Michael Dearington, State's Attorney
   235 Church Street New Haven, CT 06510
   (203) 503-6823
   
   and to the Chief State’s Attorney for Connecticut, KEVIN T. KANE: conndcj@po.state.ct.us

Freedom for the Salchows, freedom of Hashing!!!

Succulent RHHH

See also the New Haven Hash House Harriers website: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/poisonivyleague/