Write To Jodge Hovland

The following are letters written by Rachel and I to Judge Hovland. If you haven't done so already, please read Bill Quigley's account of the sentencing. It gives the context which prompted us to write these responses. I invite anyone, and particularly family members who have risked time away from home in their work for peace, to write him as well.

Michele Naar-Obed

Letters can be sent to :
Judge Hovland,
Bismarck Federal Courthouse,
220 E. Rosser Ave,
Bismarck ND 58502.
Please feel free to forward a copy to: Michele Naar-Obed, 1614 Jefferson Street, Duluth, MN 55812

November 19, 2006

Dear Judge Hovland,

First I would like to thank you for making the arrangements for me to visit Greg. The jail officials had been rather adament in their unwillingness to make any exceptions, so your intervention made the visit possible.

At trial and again at sentencing, I noted your willingness to educate yourself even beyond requirement, about matters relating to the Weapons of Mass Destruction Here Plowshare action and the 3 who carried it forth. I found your openness rather exceptional and am confident that you will take these thoughts into mind and heart.

I was rather dismayed to hear you berate and chastize Greg for being an irresponsible father and spouse. Your presumptions about what we need from him were not only erroneous, but beligerent and disrepectful. To call his participation in this witness a "juvenile act of vandalism" is an insult to every one of the Saints and Heroes who have ever taken a stand to protect the sacredness of life. You had made it abundantly clear that you didn't agree with their methods, an opinion to which you are entiltled, but to attack Greg's integrity as you did was disgraceful.

Our daughter Rachel and I love and admire Greg for the stand he has taken to make this world safer. Yes we are saddened by this lengthy separation, but we are strenghtened by emotional and spiritual bonds that far transcend physical ones. Those bonds are further deepened because we know the good and decent intentions with which Greg acted. If you get an opportunity, take another look at the picture of the banner "Swords into Plowshares.'' Rachel did the artwork. The peace sign, flower, heart and smiley face were the hopes that she entrusted her dad with to make present in the world through this disarmament action.

I recently watched a documentary about the scientists, including Oppenheimer, who left their families to create the atomic bomb which was eventually used to annihilate the people of Japan. Many of our history books refer to them as heroes. After Oppenheimer realized what he did, he felt disgraced as a human being, not only in his own eyes but in the eyes of his blood family and in the eyes of the human family. When soldiers leave their families to go off to war, they are referred to as heroes. Many of them come back feeling disgraced for having left their families to kill other people's families. This is a feeling I can assure you, that Greg will not have to live with nor die with.

Finally, I have to say I was quite disappointed in the defeatist attitude you seemed to take regarding the efficacy of this action. You consistantly referred to their action as a waste of time because it did not result in the elimination of nuclear weapons. Again, you insult the lives of all who have ever worked for the abolition of sins and crimes such as slavery, military occupation of homelands, government sponsored oppression, etc. I believe you are smart enough and well educated enough to know that it has sometimes taken centuries to abolish such crimes.

Thank God for all of those that never gave up hope, that withstood years of imprisonment, defamation of character, mockery, isolation and death in their struggle to enhance the dignity of all life. Greg, Rachel and I will not let those hopes die in vain. We stand with the sentiments expressed by Fr. Kabat, that this action is not the only way, but it is one way and a way worth living for.

Blessings on your life's journey.
In peace, Michele Naar-Obed

November 19, 2006

Dear Judge Hovland,

I believe that what my dad is doing is right. Even thoughit is hard when he leaves, it is imprtant for him to stand up for what our family believes in. To me, he is trying to help everyone learn that without weapons and war, children all around the world will be much happier. I am very proud of my dad, but I will be happy when he is home too.

Sincerely,
Rachel Obed