Passacantando and Carlson Talk

Page - August 4, 2005
These are notes from John Passacantando, executive director of Greenpeace USA, regarding his phone converation with Tucker Carlson (August 3, 2005, approximately 4:00 p.m. EST).

TC: Your letter is wrong.  It was vandalism, not terrorism…Your point that I support terrorism is wrong.  I don't support terrorism.  It was not an act of terrorism, that is an important distinction.  Since you are the head of Greenpeace you should do your research.  The French government did not intend to kill anyone, therefore it is not terrorism.  This is an important distinction.  Vandalizing the ship was impressive on France's part.  I don't support terror. 

JP: Bombing a ship is terrorism.  Killing a man is murder. 

TC: You should know about vandalism, you guys engage in it all the time. 

JP: We are a peaceful organization that does not engage in violence to people or property.

TC: Spraying paint on seals is the same kind of vandalism, blocking entrances with your bodies…

JP: So would you call Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi vandals?

TC: I don't want to make a generalization. 

JP: Just answer two questions for me: are you proud of what you said and would you say it again?

TC: I have answered all your questions.  Unlike you, I am a busy man and have things to do but I know if I hang up you are going to send out a fundraising letter saying that I hung up on you…

JP: Just answer my two questions.

TC: I am not hanging up.  I am returning the handset to the cradle…