SD Peace and Justice: just say no to uranium mining

At least one South Dakota Republican calls it the "fed's war on energy" when it's really Big Energy's war on the Earth.

The General Mining Act of 1872 basically gave away the rights to natural resources as a way to spur development of the American West. This act is still in effect, and it’s now used to rob us of our birthright. A foreign entity can create a U.S. subsidiary, file for mineral rights, and take whatever hard-rock minerals are produced without paying a cent to “we the people.” This has happened frequently throughout our country. As often as not, after taking these resources the company shuts down or files for bankruptcy, leaving a huge mess for taxpayers. The classic example is the Gilt Edge Mine Superfund site near Deadwood. [Jim Petersen]