All terrorism is activism of a particularly violent kind, and it has many faces with many vicious motives. Car bombs, airplanes used as engines of death, and deadly arson fires, are all the unconscionable acts of terrorists. People in southern California have recently experienced both documented and suspected arson in fires that killed twenty and ruined over three thousand homes and businesses. Some witnesses reported that two men in a van were seen throwing an incendiary device into vegetation that subsequently started one of the major fires near San Diego. Although police sketches of one of the suspects have been widely circulated on television, no one has yet been arrested for that crime.

There is no reason to suspect that (formerly convicted) arsonist Rodney Coronado had anything to do with any of the recent fires in California, but for some twisted reason, he claims to be glad that they happened. In one instance, Earth Liberation Front banners were left at the scene of the burned out remnants of luxury homes under construction. Coronado says he had nothing to do with it, but is glad that the arson was accomplished. He is often approached by media, who label him a spokesperson for the ELF. TV 4 in the San Diego area interviewed him about recent apartment complex fires and the above arson of houses under construction, and reported that he applauds the criminals who carried out those crimes.

Perhaps this felon, who himself caused one million dollars in damage to the university laboratory he personally torched, has had nothing to do with the recent disaster in southern California. Surely, he would say anything to keep his distance from that suspicion. However, anyone who would want himself to be known as a supporter of such acts, should be kept under surveillance. This is an antisocial and psychopathic kind of behavior that has no place in a free society. His ambitions are not free speech and the advancement of lofty principles. They are destruction of the achievements and security of others. We urge that all such acts be labeled terrorism, because "activism" is a term both inadequate and inappropriate to the intent and the scale of destruction that has been wrought in southern California. We wish state and federal law enforcement authorities all the best in their efforts to successfully capture and prosecute those responsible for the arson crimes that were committed there.