Most of will never see the incredible place called the Boundary Waters, a 150-mile area o lakes and rivers separating the northern tip of Minnesota and Canada. Several years ago we agreed to a 20-year moratorium on sulfide mining in this fragile area. However, pushed by Chinese – yes Chinese – business interests the Senate passed a bill by a 59-49 vote to overturn the moratorium.
This fragile area will now be open to toxic mining, destroying and polluting the entire area. The toxic runoff will kill almost everything in its path. The resolution relied on the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to overturn executive actions by a simple majority, not subject to a filibuster.
The company that will rape this area is Twin Metals Minnesota, a Chilean company owned by the Chinese conglomerate Antofagasta, which spent $600,000 last year lobbying, including $6,000 to Rep Peter Stauber (R-MN) who introduced the resolution, claiming he did it to create 700 union jobs. That’s what they all say, right?
Prayer for the Day
So many ways to betray you, O God,
Politicians do not even need a kiss;
But will they grieve over what they have done,
When funds from business interests fill their coffers?
Could we, like Jesus, overturn the tables of greed,
For money and corruption rule the day.
In the name of the One who overturned tables of corruption,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
This decision dismisses outright years of rigorous scientific evidence, the voices of hundreds of thousands of Americans and the clear will of Minnesotans—70 percent of whom support permanent protection of the Boundary Waters.
Ingrid Lyons, executive director of Save the Boundary Waters
Twin Metals has long pushed to build a mine near the Boundary Waters that would put the entire watershed at risk. Bald eagles, moose, lynx, loons, trout and more would face untold harm. Deadly acid runoff can damage plant life, burn animals, and is toxic to aquatic environments. Toxic heavy metals can contaminate the water and make fish unsafe for human consumption.
Environment America
The wicked accept a concealed bribe to pervert the ways of justice.
Proverbs 17: 23