Letters

"There are bound to be Vietnam-era Veterans among your readers who have ideas, energy, artwork, or writings to contribute to the first nationwide veteran's yellow pages."

Dear people,

I'd like for you to know of a project that I'm working on: "New Directions for Veterans: the first nationwide Veteran's Yellow Pages," with writings -- new ideas -- photography, and artwork -- by veterans from throughout the country, coming from all kinds of personal experiences, backgrounds, lifestyles, and needs.

The finished book will be much like THE WHOLE EARTH CATALOG in size and spirit. The contents, though, will be different: everything from sections on new ways of looking at "education" and learning, men's consciousness, veterans in prison, alternative lifestyles, ways of spiritual growth -- to a nationwide friendship  -- interests -- skills exchange network, and a full-color feature section on creative arts (photography, painting, sculpture, crafts, creative writing). 

The project has potential in many different directions. There are bound to be Vietnam-era veterans among your readers who have ideas, energy, artwork, or writings to contribute, and I'd like to hear from them at PO Box 865, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Lawrence Morgan

"Over 65 AIM members and supporters face trials. More indictments are handed down each week."

Dear Sun,

The Ann Arbor Wounded Knee Support Group appreciated the opportunity to explain the present attack on Indian people in the April 25 issue of the Sun. However, we must correct a misprint. The article "Reign of Terror at Wounded Knee" was written only by a member of our Wounded Knee Support Group and was not co-written with John Trundell, AIM National Chairperson (as was printed at the end of the article). The American Indian Movement (AIM) work totally separately but in cooperation with the Wounded Knee Legal Defense/Offense Committee (WLKD/OC). We are the local WLKD/OC support group.

To further clarify this, AIM is an organization of Indian people founded by Dennis Banks, Clyde Bellacourt, and George Mitchell to secure Indian self-determination. AIM's attempts to oppose the policies of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are a threat to the U.S. government. The government's response is to attack AIM through the white court system. Over 65 AIM members and supporters face trials. More indictments are handed down each week.

WLKD/OC was formed in March 1973 to provide the legal and political defense needed to resist these government attacks. Committee members are Indian and white men and women of varied ages and backgrounds.

Our debts are over $40,000 and we must ask the public to help. We must ask every person concerned about the Indian struggle for liberation to contribute money and/or energy. Write Ann Abor Support Group, c/o VanderWall 222 Fuller Rd., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105.

"The Human Rights Party has met much opposition but they continue to work within the community to try and create a government which can best serve the people."

Dear Sun,

In response to the short-sighted letter by Michael Minnich and his Democratic insight to the last election (April 25, 1975).

I used to live in Ann Arbor, knew John Sinclair, participated in the White Panthers, the Radical Independent Party, and later in the beginnings of the Human Rights Party. I was an avid radical and participated in most community events. But the current situation makes me sick. Ann Arbor is supposed to be a progressive community, but it is no better than towns like Howell (John Birch headquarters) when we take a hard look at the facts.

The last election was a flop not because the Human Rights Party messed it up but because the Democrats are so hung up in power politics that they have no concern about doing anything constructive within the community. Their only concern is gaining power at any cost. This means presenting no useful legislation but instead pumping all their time and energy into name slurring attacks against the other.

On the other hand, the Human Rights Party has decided the community is more important and has continued to work for its benefit through city council and ballot proposals. During its short existence, they have presented marijuana legislation, voter registration legislation, rent control, daycare legislation, preferential voting, and others. Not all have passed but they were very valid attempts at strengthening the community. The Human Rights Party has met much opposition but they continue to work within the community to try and create a government which can best serve the people.

Let's let the proposal presented over the last four years by the Human Rights Party, the Democrat's failure to support them, and the Democratic lack of proposals speak to the people about what the two parties are trying to accomplish. Then the people can decide what is to their benefit: power politics by the Democrats or ballot proposals by the Human Rights Party.

Ron Rogers

"Reserve Mining Company is dumping tailings into Lake Superior at a rate of 67,000 tons a day -- an amount twice as large as all the garbage of New York City!"

Dear Editor,

The possible damage being done by the tailings dumped into Lake Superior by the Reserve Mining Company is outrageous. The particles have been found to be carried across state borders, increase the eutrophication of the lake, kill the sac fry of the rainbow trout, and adversely affect the bottom fauna of the lake. If this were not enough, there is the possibility of widespread carcinogenic effects. Asbestos fibers are positively known to cause cancer.

Still, a "demonstrable health hazard" due to the dumping of the tailings has not been proven. There has not been a dead body found yet so Reserve is allowed to continue dumping its offal into Lake Superior. Dumping at a rate of 67,000 tons a day. Dumping an amount twice as large as all the garbage of New York City!

Reserve Mining Company is considered to be in "good faith" and so is trusted to clean up its operations. How can anyone who dumps 67,000 tons of offal a day into Lake Superior be considered trustworthy?

I'm sure that Reserve doesn't want to pollute Lake Superior. They are simply lacking in morality, social responsibility, and humanity. If there were a cheaper method of disposing of their garbage, I'm sure they would not dump into Lake Superior. Perhaps this is what is meant by good faith.

At the time, a "demonstrable health hazard" has been shown, the exposure to the tailings will be irreversible. There may be a grim, terrible consequence to pay in twenty or thirty years when the seeds of cancer are coming into bloom. Then who will claim responsibility for the tragedy?

No one has the right to ignore the possible detrimental effects of their own actions on other people or the environment. It is time the responsibility for criminal activity be placed where it belongs. Reserve Mining Company must be required to stop all dumping into Lake Superior immediately.

It is everyone's responsibility to cry for an end to the pollution of Lake Superior by Reserve Mining Company. This is an issue that affects too many people, could have too many horrible consequences, for anyone to ignore or put aside for others to handle.

Neal D. Fortin

Sun,

I just heard this man from NASA suggest putting our nuclear waste from future reactors on a trajectory which would carry it out of the solar system. Hey, out there in deep space -- if anyone is out there -- here comes some shit which has a half-life of half a million years and just a speck on your lungs, or gills, or whatever, and rest in peace.

Whether dropping bombs, executing soldiers for the petty theft of a merchant (spy?) ship, or sending shit to our space brothers, insanity among mankind persists.

Bill Davis, Ypsilanti

If you want to comment on world or local events, praise or criticize the SUN, or just have something you want to say, send us a letter about it. Letters should be addressed to:

Editor

Ann Arbor SUN

603 E. William

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108