Activists Infiltrate Oak Ridge's Y-12 High Security Area

[analog_kidd]

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/28/activists-infiltrate-y-12s-high-security-zone/

This is a very bad thing for Oak Ridge. The Government is already looking for ways and reasons to shut Y-12 and similar sites down. We don't need this kind of bad publicity. I have no idea how three people could get that far into the site, undetected, and deface buildings. It will certainly be a major embarassment to the security force, and make Wackenhut look really bad.

These activists have been coming here for years making their protests. Y-12 even gives them a grassy area to gather up in, and sometimes even provides those Quik-Up shelters to keep them out of the sun. Almost every time a group of them try to make a point by walking across the line that is off limits. They always get arrested, but are just given a warning and let go after a few hours. This time, these three need to spend a long time in prison. I'm sorry, but I think they went too far.

It always makes me laugh, I see these protesters out there chanting and banging their drums, and carrying signs that say "Nuclear Weapons Kill People". The irony is that some of them are smoking cigarettes. I don't have a problem with cigarettes, but let's just count up how many people were killed by nukes last year, and jow many died because of smoking. Seems a little hypocritical. Besides, nukes actually helped to save American lives. Not to mention, this site employs nearly 5000 people. If these protestors had their way, every one of them would lose their jobs. I guess in their eyes, the workers are evil too and deserve to be punished by losing their jobs.

[Guest bkelm18]

One of them was an 82 yr old woman. If she could get in and deface a highly secure building, what could someone with more nefarious intentions do?

Edited July 29, 2012 by bkelm18

[TMF]

They think their iPhones run off of peace and fairy dust. I believe that people are entitled to their opinions and all, but hippies just aren't people.

[gjohnsoniv]

That's no good, and WSI's contract may be up this year. I'm sure they aren't happy in the slightest.

[QuietDan]

"Restricted Area - Use of Deadly Force Authorized."

Use it.

[DaveTN]

Wackenhut guards nuclear facilities now? Years ago they were used as strike breakers.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Wackenhut has been guarding this place for a very long time. When I went to work for a local LE agency in 2001 we had officers leaving in droves to go work there. Wackenhut is everywhere, they have an overseas division that does stuff just like Blackwater or Dyncorp. I even got my armed guard license with Wackenhut as a sponsor. I never worked for them but needed the license to go to other states and work with Blackwater. I even talk to a regional managers of Wackenhut from time to time to see how he is doing. Met him during Rita/Katrina in New Orleans or Baton Rouge.

Dolomite

[TGO David]

"Restricted Area - Use of Deadly Force Authorized."

Use it.

I agree with this guy.

[wewoapsiak]

Great, I'm sure the lab will "beef up" their security as a knee jerk reaction, looks like I need to leave for work earlier now. Why is it always old people that do these things? When I was stationed in Washington a couple of old priests and a nun "infiltrated" the sub base to do the same thing.

[analog_kidd]

Word on the street is they may only get charged with misdemeanor trespassing and vandalism. Which means another slap on the wrist and they can be back at it again in no time.

[TMF]

Word on the street is they may only get charged with misdemeanor trespassing and vandalism. Which means another slap on the wrist and they can be back at it again in no time.

Huh, isn't there some sort of federal crime against illegally entering a nuclear facility? Slapping them on the wrists just makes the whack jobs bolder and encourages an escalation of this kinda crap.

[gjohnsoniv]

Huh, isn't there some sort of federal crime against illegally entering a nuclear facility? Slapping them on the wrists just makes the whack jobs bolder and encourages an escalation of this kinda crap.

Isn't it a federal crime to enter any federal facility illegally to start? Edited July 30, 2012 by gjohnsoniv

[bigwakes]

I'm certain the 82yo nun has cat like reflexes and ninja skills to be able to infiltrate such a secure facility. I hope the terrorists can't read the paper and figure out they just need to hire nuns to do their deeds.

[Jonnin]

I have no problem with the protesters doing this, and they should be let go as before (detain for a couple hours, give em a stern warning or in this case, since there was damage, a fine).

The problem here is they were allowed to get this far. Security was asleep and failed big time. Fire the security. Slap the offenders on the wrist. And next time I want to hear about warning shots fired and total beatdown of anyone that gets close.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Isn't it a federal crime to enter any federal facility illegally to start?

I'd guess it depends on the facility. Y-12 used to be completely verboten years ago. I don't know what goes

on there, any more. Nuclear facilities have their own set of rules, I think, and like Jonnin said, warn 'em this time,

but next time give them a few warning shots.

Problem is, some of these people get political cover to some extent and are fodder for the media's agendas.

ELF, Green Peace and the like get away with all kinds of stuff. When they go past the point of peaceful

opposition and start to invade and disrupt, I have no problem with the shots being fired.

[Guest bkelm18]

The Plowshares nutjobs have tresspassed at Y12 for years. Enough with the wrist slaps. Throw the book at them.

Edited July 30, 2012 by bkelm18

[Guest 6.8 AR]

I didn't realize that, Spock. In that case, yep!

But you know they won't. Nut jobs have a special place in society. Think "Whale Wars"

I would love to see the whalers sink his damned boat!

[Guest bkelm18]

I didn't realize that, Spock. In that case, yep!

But you know they won't. Nut jobs have a special place in society. Think "Whale Wars"

I would love to see the whalers sink his damned boat!

Plowshares puts on protests there all the time and usually have a big gathering once or twice a year. They set up on public property but there's usually a few of them that get arrested for tresspassing. They also march to the site and they get police escorts which I don't think is right, but that's Oak Ridge for ya.

Edited July 30, 2012 by bkelm18

[gjohnsoniv]

They must need better flashlights out there.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

I don't know why, but I reminisce of the old TV show "The Prisoner" with me being "Number 6" when I pass through.

Interesting little town, though.

[Oh Shoot]

Latest developments:

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/30/y-12-protesters-arraigned-for-federal-more-could/

[DaveTN]

Three peace activists, including Sister Megan Rice, an 82-year-old nun,

[Garufa]

While these obviously cunning, stealthy and mighty spry individuals are prosecuted maybe somebody needs to fire some Wackenoff guards or find some new caretakers our nation's NUCLEAR MATERIAL.

Edited July 30, 2012 by Garufa

[QuietDan]

I'd like to know what order the nun belongs to and what her order has to say about her antics.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

I doubt she's Dominican, eh?