I was seven years old when thousands of East German signature cars arrived in my hometown of Hamburg and filled the air with odd-smelling blue smoke. I saw strangers hugging each other, tears in their eyes, their voices tired from singing. I was too young to understand it all, but I had a very strong sense that life was different now–and that different was better.A quarter-century later, it is our obligation to tell this story to all those who couldn’t be there, who could not feel the spark of the peaceful revolution and, more importantly, who are fortunate enough not to know the feeling of an incarcerated, divided existence, trapped behind concrete walls. It is a story that demands to be told today, and for generations to come.
I’m excited to have been part of making this doodle commemorating such a pivotal moment in history — to learn more about the making-of, check out the doodle team’s post here. We should all take the time to celebrate 25 years of unity.
ABOUT an hour east of Phoenix, near a mining town called Superior, men, women and children of the San Carlos Apache tribe have been camped out at a place called Oak Flat for more than three months, protesting the latest assault on their culture.
Three hundred people, mostly Apache, marched 44 miles from tribal headquarters to begin this occupation on Feb. 9. The campground lies at the core of an ancient Apache holy place, where coming-of-age ceremonies, especially for girls, have been performed for many generations, along with traditional acorn gathering. It belongs to the public, under the multiple-use mandate of the Forest Service, and has had special protections since 1955, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower decreed the area closed to mining — which, like cattle grazing, is otherwise common in national forests — because of its cultural and natural value. President Richard M. Nixon’s Interior Department in 1971 renewed this ban.
Despite these protections, in December 2014, Congress promised to hand the title for Oak Flat over to a private, Australian-British mining concern. A fine-print rider trading away the Indian holy land was added at the last minute to the must-pass military spending bill, the National Defense Authorization Act. By doing this, Congress has handed over a sacred Native American site to a foreign-owned company for what may be the first time in our nation’s history.
The Apache are occupying Oak Flat to protest this action — to them, a sacrilegious and craven sell-off of a place “where Apaches go to pray,” in the words of the San Carlos Apache tribal chairman, Terry Rambler. The site will doubtless be destroyed for any purpose other than mining; Resolution Copper Mining will hollow out a vast chamber that, when it caves in, will leave a two-mile-wide, 1,000-foot-deep pit. The company itself has likened the result of its planned mining at Oak Flat to that of a nearby meteor crater.
The land grab was sneakily anti-democratic even by congressional standards. For more than a decade, the parcel containing Oak Flat has been coveted by Rio Tinto, Resolution’s parent company — which already mines on its own private land in the surrounding area — for the high-value ores beneath it.
The swap — which will trade 5,300 acres of private parcels owned by the company to the Forest Service and give 2,400 acres including Oak Flat to Resolution so that it can mine the land without oversight — had been attempted multiple times by Arizona members of Congress on behalf of the company. (Among those involved was Rick Renzi, a former Republican representative who was sent to federal prison in February for three years for corruption related to earlier versions of the land-transfer deal.) It always failed in Congress because of lack of support. But this time was different. This time, the giveaway language was slipped onto the defense bill by Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake of Arizona at the 11th hour. The tactic was successful only because, like most last-minute riders, it bypassed public scrutiny.
take his word for it, the archaeological record at Oak Flat contains abundant evidence that the Apache have been here “since well before recorded history,” according to congressional testimony by the Society for American Archaeology.
If Oak Flat were a Christian holy site, or for that matter Jewish or Muslim, no senator who wished to remain in office would dare to sneak a backdoor deal for its destruction into a spending bill — no matter what mining-company profits or jobs might result. But this is Indian religion. Clearly the Arizona congressional delegation isn’t afraid of a couple of million conquered natives.
The truth is that for Mr. McCain, Mr. Flake and others who would allow this precious public land to be destroyed, it’s not only the Indians who are invisible. The rest of us are also ghosts, remnants of a quaint idea of democracy.
Oak Flat may still be saved, albeit with difficulty, since the bill’s language stipulates quite simply that 60 days after the federal “environmental impact statement” is complete, the land will belong to Resolution — in other words, that the swap will occur no matter what the environmental study says. But, like all laws and pieces of laws, it can be reversed by new legislative language.
The deal is an impressive new low in congressional corruption, unworthy of our country’s ideals no matter what side of the aisle you’re on. It’s exactly the kind of cynical maneuvering that has taught the electorate to disrespect politicians — a disdain for government that hurts everyone. If ever there was a time for Congress to prove its moral mettle to the public, this is that time. The rider should be repealed.
Perdue Foods LLC, a Perry, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,171 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken breast nugget and tender products that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically metal.
A dairy operation in Washington has recalled raw milk because of contamination with E. coli. Earlier this month raw milk from the same dairy was linked to Campylobacter jejuni infections.
This week the Old Silvana Creamery of Arlington, WA, recalled their Jim’s Jerseys raw milk after state health officials found…Continue Reading
Authentik Fudge of Sainte-Julie, Quebec, Canada, is recalling 840 units of Chocolate Fudge with Nuts branded MONTREAL FUDGE, due to potential mold growth contamination.
The recalled Fudge with nuts branded MONTREAL FUDGE were distributed on 2024-06-19 and 2024-06-20 through MARSHALLS and sold in the retail chains in the below states:
TJ MAXX: Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Washington, Wyoming. MARSHALLS: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming.
Sierra Stain LLC of Carson City, Nevada is recalling 3 water-based tattoo pigments, because they are contaminated with high concentrations of microorganisms which present a health concern to consumers. Commonly reported symptoms of tattoo ink associated infections include the appearance of rashes or lesions consisting of red papules solely in areas where the contaminated ink has been applied. Some tattoo infections can result in permanent scarring. Symptoms can be difficult to recognize, as other conditions (e.g. allergic reactions) may also present with similar findings.
Products are packaged in plastic rounded bullet shape PET bottles with black dispense screw top and were distributed to all 50 states through Amazon.
No illnesses have been reported to date. Reason for recall: The recall was initiated after the recalling firm became aware of the results of the samples collected and analyzed by FDA, which tested positive for multiple microorganisms.
** Chest Compression Device Recall: Defibtech, LLC, Removes RMU-2000 ARM XR Chest Compression Device due to Risk of Device Stopping Compressions Defibtech, LLC, is recalling RMU-2000 ARM XR Chest Compression Devices due to a problem with the device’s motor that may cause it to stop compressions. The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. This recall involves removing certain devices from where they are used or sold. This device may cause serious injury or death if you continue to use it. Read MoreQuestions? Customers in the U.S. with questions about this recall should contact Defibtech Customer Support: 1-877-453-4507, 7:30AM – 6PM Eastern. Follow us on X at @FDAMedWatch
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a stern warning to Austrofoods, the Ecuador-based manufacturer of apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches recalled last year after being found to contain dangerously high levels of lead and chromium. The Aug. 9, 2024, warning letter just released by the FDA is part… Continue Reading
Perdue Foods LLC, a Perry, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,171 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken breast nugget and tender products that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically metal.
Raw milk cheese from a Pennsylvania producer sold at an unknown number of retail locations is contaminated with Listeria. The producer is refusing to issue a recall.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture warns consumers to discard BeiHollow brand raw milk cheddar cheese.
The Department of Agriculture purchased two retail packages…Continue Reading
After whole genome sequencing showed a sample of Boar’s Head deli meat was contaminated with the outbreak strain responsible for a deadly Listeria outbreak, the company expanded its recall to include an additional 7 million pounds of products. The Jarratt, VA, company announced the expanded recall on July 30. The… Continue ReadingPublisher’s Platform: What is up with Listeria and Boar’s Head?
North Fish USA Inc of Hallandale, FL is recalling the imported 9-ounce packages of “Cold Smoked Capelin,” because the product was found to be over 5” in length and uneviscerated, as such having potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled
The sale of uneviscerated fish over 5” in length may contain Clostridium botulinum spores as they are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.
The recalled product was distributed in New York and Georgia states to be distributed further to retail stores on East Coast.
The product comes in a 9 ounce, plastic package marked with UPC code 4811527003360, and with best before date 07.13.2024 and 01.05.2025 stamped in the back of the package.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
At the end of last month, the Food and Drug Administration was again warning the public about a Kratom product, namely advising consumers not to consume OPMS Black Liquid Kratom, which is sold online and in some retail stores. According to the FDA, OPMS Black Liquid Kratom is linked to… Continue Reading
Thal Golden Spices Inc. of Hayward, CA is recalling 640 Packs of “Bikano Moong Dal 350g because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Product was distributed in the state of California through retail stores.
Product Identification Statement:Brand Name: Bikano Product Name: Moong Dal Plain Size: 350g Best Used By Date: June 25, 2025 can be found on the bottom back side of the pack.
By Bill Marler on Aug 01, 2024 01:39 am
Illnesses: 34 Hospitalizations: 33 Deaths: 2 States: 13 – Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (6), Minnesota (1), Missouri (2), North Carolina (1), New Jersey (2), New York (12), Pennsylvania (1), Virginia (2) and Wisconsin (1). Range in age from 32 to 94 years Median age of 74… Continue Reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 30, 2024 – Colonna Brothers of North Bergen, NJ is voluntarily recalling its 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon & 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon because of a possible health risk due to elevated lead levels. Short term exposures to very low levels of lead may not elicit any symptoms. It is possible that increased blood lead levels may be the only apparent sign of lead exposure. Additional signs and symptoms of lead exposure are more likely with acute exposure to higher levels of lead or chronic exposure to lead. The effects depend upon the amount and duration of lead exposure and age/ body weight. If a child is exposed to enough lead for a protracted period of time (e.g., weeks to months) permanent damage to the central nervous system may occur. This can result in learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long-term health problems. For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and neurocognitive effects.
Several Salmonella infections in Ireland have been linked to eating duck eggs. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said duck eggs should only be eaten after thoroughly cooking. FSAI and the Health Service Executive (HSE) have investigated five cases of Salmonellosis linked to duck eggs within the past 12… Continue Reading
Metro Produce Distributors Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is voluntarily recalling all Lunds & Byerlys fresh guacamole products with a use-by date of August 2, 2024, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. The fresh guacamole was sold at Lunds & Byerlys grocery stores located throughout the Twin Cities area and St. Cloud. The product was also available in select locations ‘Taco Mas’ food bars from July 27-31. The products are packaged in clear plastic containers.
Misty Copeland was fast becoming the most famous ballerina in the United States — making the cover of Time magazine, 4/16/2015 being profiled by “60 Minutes,” growing into a social media sensation and dancing ballet’s biggest roles on some of its grandest stages. But another role eluded her: She was still not a principal dancer.
Until Tuesday, when Ms. Copeland became the first African-American woman to be named a principal in the 75-year history of American Ballet Theater.
Information is powerful medicine. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) gives you the right to get your personal health information, make sure it’s correct and know who has seen it. With access to your own medical records, you can make decisions with your health care provider, track your medications and dosages, and much more.
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