THE mood is dark among the residents of Hythe, Alta. : Weibo Ludwig’s neigh- bours claim that, amidst a tragedy in the community, the organic farmer and environ- mental activist is conducting a media blitz, to advance his campaign against the oil and gas companies. Equally, the media have begun to portray Ludw an ominous light; as 2 man who cannot bring himself to apologize for the death of 16- wold Karman Willis. The girl was shot on the Ludwig property over a w while our for a joy ride at 4 a.m. with friends. During the ride, beer cans were tossed from a pickup, and a tent, in which the four Ludwig daughters slept, was im; iled. Someone from Trickle Creek farm fired a shot. Karman died and a boy was wounded. There is talk of vig- ilante type justice among the nearby residents. During his almost daily sojourn. to the media barri- cade fronting his property, Weibo Ludwig, the handsome 57-year-old patriarch, repeat- edly talks about “being wiped out like Waco.” I don't think Ludwig’s campaign is a PR camipaign. TF think Ludwig is I think he is fighting for his life. I think he is plead- ing for his rightful place under the sun. Frankly, I fear mailbox wig dese for the Ludwigs. Not so long ago, Weibo Ludwig was the toast of the leftist CBC. Portrayed by the national broadcaster almost as a hero: the David in a battle against the Goliath of the oil and gas industry. Now, the fickle reportage has taken to solemnly denouncing the man because he refuses to concede that the only “real issue” here is the death of a young girl. Interviews are being culled from neighbours, many of whom are employed by the oil and gas companies. Forty- two signatures ink a petition that denies sour gas is the cause of any ill health in themselves and their live stock. The subterfuge in this case runs as deep as the 2,400 hydrocarbon-emitting wells in the region. The mood is turning ugly. People in the vicinity want an arrest and are ready to take the law into their hands. Businesses have posted signs asking that members of the Ludwig family keep away. The mayor of Hythe has suggested ignorantly that the family move away. Such a suggestion is an extension of the di spect for property rights, as does it fudge the distinction between the Ludwigs’ inalien- able rights and a mols wish- es. Iris also bighly unlik think Weibo Ludwig, whose mentor is the Hebrew ‘Testament prophet Jeremiah, would no sooner abandon the small bodies buried in the soil of Trickle Creek, than he would give up the fight. According to a Saturday ight magazine exposé, Ludwig arrived in the region in 1985 hoping to lead a “God fearing life” in a place he believed to be pristine. Then in the 1990s, a large oil company applied to drill on the borders of the Ludwig farm, 100 metres from his son’s home. Soon there were the sour gas leaks; sometimes the family was not notified and not evacuated as the pro- tocol deerees. Mysterious mis carnages plagued both the livestock and the strong and beautiful women of the clan. Daughter-in-law Rence burned an infant whose skull had not formed. The family began keeping a log of the various unexplained symp- toms they suffered. In contrast to the current attempt by gliblibs at the CBC to downplay the effects of sour gas on health, hydro- gen sulphide, otherwise known 2s sour gas is lethal if inhaled. A 1995 report from the University of Southern Harrison watershed should be untouched for salman’s sake Dear Editor: Anyone who is promoting Harrison Lake as a domestic water resource for the Lower Mainland is extremely unin- formed about the Harrison System Watershed. Harrison River and tributaries to the Harrison are one of the very few, possibly the only system in B.C. which support all specics of salmon: Sockeye, Pink, Chum, Chinook, Coho and Steelnead. Sockeye spawn and rear in the Harrison River just up from Harrison Bay (possibly the only sockeye species not rearing in a lake), Weaver Creek and Weaver Creek Spawning Channel, Big Silver Creck, Upper Lillooet River and tributaries and the Birkenhead River. The Weaver sockeye are unique in that they, as fry, migrate down to the Harrison River and then up Harrison River against the flow to Harrison Lake to rear. Pink and Chum salmon are abundant in the Weaver and Harrison. Chinook, Coho — and Steelhicad are — found throughout. Total popula- tion (spawners and catches) | David: Neel of these salmon are num- bered in the millions most years. The Harrison River below Harrison Lake is specifically vulnerable to tow flows below the lake. Any diversion of water from the Harrison River and Lake System would jeopar- dize the up-river migration and spawning and incubation areas, Frequently st existing run-off conditions in the Harrison River between the lake and the Fraser River, the natural spawning beds go dry at spawning time and during winter at very low water peri- ods, some gravel beds dry up resulting in mortality of salmon eggs. The Harrison River and lake system is one of the few if not the only system on the Lower Fraser not spoiled by major developments. Foz several decades the International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission and DFO were successful in pro- tecting and enhancing the fishery resources in the Harrison system and it would be disastrous if some- one would divert water sacri- ficing the fish. The propo- nents of Harrison Lake as 2 domestic water resource should educate themselves about all environments and not just make headlines for political purposes. You Pheald also know that the existing road on the cast shore of Harrison Lake now carries on to Lillooet Lake and Pemberton, and one day is likely to be the best and least costly route to Whistler. Per Saxvik persaxvik@bc.sympatico.ca Keith A. Cameron Barrister & Solicitor experience sure to non-lethal de es persistent neurobiological dysfunction.” The Alberta Research Council “found that a herd of cattle exposed to the sour gas leak experienc an unexpected high mortality in neonatal calves following the spill.” The magazine fur- ther notes that the Hythe region where the Ludwigs reside “has the highest rates of pneumonia and bronchitis, both symptoms of low level gas exposure.” Weibo Ludwig went the route of reason. He plead with government and indus- try for an inquiry. “The stu is lethal,” he said, “Why not understand thar lethal things are not desirable close to r de! such as ours.” What Ludwig got was the expedi- ent jargon of linear science; the one claiming that in “acceptable levels,” toxins are OK. Do such pronouncements ever consider the cffects of toxins on small bodies? On rapidly dividing cells? On different bodies with differ- ent capacities to metabolize toxins? Why is ao one asking these questions? Where — in the extrapolation from mice to men, which is the essence of the laboratory scientist’s work — is the consideration for the fact people are posed to multiple poisons? That these substances are in the habit of accumulating in fatty tissue, and that they also interact with one anoth- er to amplity overall effects. Strange things began to happen by way of a sabotage campaign against the com- pany responsible for most of the drilling in che area. In January, Weibo Ludwig and charged with several counts of conspiracy and mischie Even more bizarre, the RCMP admits it had con- spired with an oif company to blow up an unused gas well blew up myste Weibo Ludwig is disliked because he and his family ave a different world view; one, which does not include Bill Gates, but includes God and women who cover their heads. Weibo Ludwig also believes in what can be summed up dy reference to a Talmudic edict: He who rises to kill ye, Ye rise earlier to kill him. If Ludwig has i Atences. Oli, Lube & Filter ne i fuly 21 pt. Safety check, 15 rninutes - FAST! approved re News - 7 must be weighed with reter- ence to these beliefs and the just cause of his crusade. We do this for First Nations; we need to do it for Ludwig. 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