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Nuns Put on “Domestic Terrorist” List

Oct 14th, 2008 by Will Potter


Last week I wrote about how some Homeland Security officials don’t think Timothy McVeigh is a terrorist, but peace activists, animal rights activists, pro-choice activists and environmentalists are.

You know who else are terrorists? Nuns!

The Saginaw News reports that among the 53 non-violent activists labeled as “terrorists” in that Maryland operation are two Dominican nuns.

They’re both outspoken opponents of war and empire, and have gone so far as to spill their own blood on military equipment in non-violent civil disobedience. From the news article:

Platte, Gilbert and Sister Jackie Hudson served time in federal prison after they cut a chain-link fence surrounding a Minuteman III missile silo in Weld County, Colo., and used baby bottles to dispense their own blood in the shape of a cross on the silo.

A federal jury in 2003 convicted Platte, Gilbert and Hudson of obstructing national defense and damaging government property. They received prison sentences of 41 months, 33 months and 30 months, respectively.

As someone who briefly attended Catholic school, I will attest that nuns can truly be terrifying. I wholeheartedly support rounding them up and protecting the knuckles of school children everywhere.

However, the rest of you might think this is, I dunno, how do I say this, ABSOLUTELY FRIGGIN’ INSANE. So, I think this video clip sums things up better than I ever could. If you don’t like bad words, please put on your earmuffs…

“To all the real terrorists out there, I say I’m sorry for gettin’ all up on your list.”

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Posted in Terrorism Definitions, Terrorism Watch Lists

  • The Nuns actually came to my university last year, because our film festival, The Frozen River Film Festival (http://frff.org) was showcasing a documentary about them, "Conviction". I got the chance to talk to them and maybe it was because we were at a college town coffee shop playing chess and talking about the American Church and all of its short comings, but I have to be honest. They were not terrifying. In fact they were absolutely amazing people. You know when you meet someone and just after 20 minutes you say to yourself, "wow, this is a great person"?

    it was kind of like that. Check out the documentary if you get a chance. And don't get your name on the list. unless you really are a terrorist.
  • Thanks for posting information on that film, Jonathan. I definitely want to check that out.

    PS: I checked out your site, and your post on Japanese toilet technology cracked me up.
  • Hi Will. Great stuff as always.

    Nuns were actually the people first exposed me to the social justice world. My Catholic high school was very conservitive except for the nuns. I remember a few monday mornings where our principal would be in our home room to tell us that Sister Kathy had chained herself to the Prairie Island Nuclear reactor.

    The convent they lived in had huge outdoor signs with protest messages and they would constantly organize protests against military recruiters. Many of them spent time leading aid missions to Nicaragua and El Salvador during the early 80's.

    I don't think that I would be the person I am today with these nuns.
  • My mom would agree with you, Will. She's 58 and still mentally scarred from the nuns.

    This story reminded me of one I read years ago about several nuns (probably from Illinois) being against the School for the Americas.

    Bill M., that is a cool story!
  • I agree, great story Bill.
  • Will, thanks for digging my page. I try to keep the folks back home up on my dealings in the Far East, but much of what I find amazing is all in the details. And since the family reads it I try to keep it entertaining with out using dirty words. Gram Gram doesnt like when I cuss.

    Keep doing great work man, I always enjoy visiting.
  • Sara
    My impression of nuns after going to a Catholic high school is that they're generally badass. Like Bill said, the sisters at my school taught me a lot about global social injustice and are responsible for a lot of my interest in activism in general. I actually know of a group of nuns who refused to pay taxes because they didn't want their money going towards the war.
  • Great. Homeland Security finally masters the difference between Sunni and Shiite, and now they have to figure out the difference between monastics and medicants. And as if their resources weren't stretched far enough already, they'll aslo have to start recruiting linguists who can interpret liturgical chatter.
  • Blair
    I corresponded with Sister Gilbert while she was incarcerated. She was exceedingly kind and committed. A terrorist she is not.
  • ashley
    ...i wish i was born catholic so i would of been exposed to nuns, and well catholicism...

    but anyways. damn. wow. thats all i have to say... not only do you cease to amaze me with posts about the craziness of this country, you even change my stereotypical perspective on nuns!
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