Longview Longshoremen and their bused in band of thugs pulled a near-Reginald Denney on guard car at the EGT company during their rampage on Thursday. 

Sheriff Mark Nelson Photo Longview Daily News

One of the most frightening parts of the incident was when several saboteures [sic], blocked a Columbia Security officer, (a 48 year old Longview man)dragged him out of his security patrol vehicle, took the vehicle and after recklessly driving it around the EGT facility, crashed it into an embankment. “This is no different than if it had happened on the street, or in the parking lot of any local business.” Sheriff Nelson said. “It was a felonious act.”

When I talked to the union flak, Craig Merrilees, on Thursday he began to say that these acts were nothing compared to corporate America. Sadly, I lost my temper 

after that. But here’s what he told a friendly talk show host who does a union themed show (here):

[Corporations] can literally get away with murder and think the average American worker will carry the load for them. It’s just outrageous and when you compare that kind of crime to folks that, you know, may emphasize may have engaged allegedly in trespassing and may have, you know, opened the doors on the hopper cars, and, you know, they don’t compare. We’re dealing with world class criminals when it comes to Wall Street and they’re not getting a finger laid on them. 

I guess the ‘evil corporation’ story can excuse just about anything then. In addition to holding the guards “hostage,” “against their will,” “kidnapping,” or whatever term the cops and union guys are using today; here’s what else they did according to the Sheriff:

…officers were confronted by baseball bat and axe handle wielding protesters.” Said Cowlitz County Sheriff Mark Nelson. “They had their protest signs attached to bats and axe handles. When we attempted to make simple, misdemeanor arrests for trespassing, the officers were rushed by the crowd. Officers were literally holding people back to protect other officers attempting to make lawful arrests.” Nelson said.
…hundreds of supporters tore down fences, smashed windows, cut air hoses to a grain train, and opened the rail cars, spilling grain all over the ground. Several pieces of evidence, including bolt cutters, pipes, ILWU signs and fliers were left lying around the facility.

I’m with these guys.