Opinion: Renzi and McCain trample Apache sites

Wednesday, March 5, 2008  

"The year 2007 brought a lot of pride to our Apache people. I was especially proud to see our neighboring White Mountain Apache and San Carlos Apache Tribal Council members opposing the proposed Resolution Copper Mine. They called it “a display of profound disrespect for a cherished feature of the Apache's original homeland as well as a serious violation of our Apache traditional, historical and religious beliefs.”

Besides destruction of sacred sites, springs and watercourses, the mine would obliterate Apache Leap Cliff where 77 Apache freedom fighters were forced to their death by the U.S. Cavalry in the 19th Century.

This congressional land swap legislation which was first introduced by U.S. Congressman, a Republican in the Congressional District No. 1, Rick Renzi and U.S. Presidential Candidate hopeful for the Republican Party, John McCain, would enable the mine to bypass U.S. environmental and Native American cultural protection laws.

One glance at the website shows both Renzi and McCain have horrendous human rights records against indigenous peoples worldwide, not to mention massive environmental pollution records.

How can a U.S. Presidential Candidate for the Republican Party, John McCain and Rick Renzi, who was recently indicted on 35 counts of federal charges for theft, embezzlement, etc., dishonor themselves by sponsoring this cultural and environmental outrage? Would they have Congress exempt those polluting, culturally disrespectful companies from the few laws this nation has protecting our Mother Earth?"

Get the Story:
Sandra Rambler: Traditionally Speaking (The Apache Moccasin 3/5)

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