A beautiful anecdote, and an even better closing that captures precisely the spirit all libertarians should have...

 

Conversation at a Grocery Store

by Butler Shaffer

As I was leaving our neighborhood grocery store, I was met by two college-age women who told me that they were working for Greenpeace, and would like to have my support.

"To do what?," I asked.

"To help save the rainforests, protect endangered species, and end pollution," one of them responded.

"Those sound like worthwhile ends," I said. "What is Greenpeace doing to bring them about?"

"We’re trying to get the public to become aware of these problems," I was told.

"So that the public will do what?," I went on.

"To get people to stop doing business with the big corporations that are engaging in these destructive practices," one woman answered.

"I have no problem with people withholding their patronage of business firms," I said. "But what if this approach doesn’t alleviate the problems that concern you? What is your organization prepared to do in that event? Is Greenpeace dedicated to using voluntary, persuasive means to accomplish its ends, or will it resort to violence if necessary?"...[continue reading]

 

That's awesome, although Greenpeace has been known to utilise violence outside the official state mechanism too.

Good article!

I don't like Greenpeace, but for different reasons than the article above. Greenpeace is a giant feel-good organization. They don't do too much and are heavily criticized by other activists for their cooperation with the very organizations that the rank-and-file oppose.

Instead of whining, Greenpeace needs to become more entrepeneurial.

Greenpeace and red cross and similar types of organisations take in millions of dollars in aid and very rarely do we see actual results worth the actual money they received.

In my opinion they are terribly corrupt, the co-founder of greepeace left, read this wall street journal article.

They are also suspectible to financial influence by donors who exploit their image to further their gains.

But there are some sincere and hard working and good intention people in those organisations and i would not like attack everyone in them, but I will not donate after researching the organisations and results etc.

On a side note does anyone have any link detailing how Greenpeace is funded? They seem awfully well stocked with money lately. Thanks.

Isn't it donations?

I am saving this article for future references amazing. >=)