A shocking abuse of counter-terrorism laws in West Virginia

by: Carnacki

Fri May 15, 2009 at 18:46:59 PM EDT

Late on the evening of August 28, 2008, an explosion rocked the Bayer CropScience plant in Institute, W.Va. The incident, which ultimately claimed the lives of two workers and created confusion and panic throughout a community of tens of thousands, has drawn international attention because the chemical plant in question houses methyl isocyanate (MIC). That is the same chemical responsible for the 1984 disaster in Bhopal, India, that claimed upwards of 4,000 lives and has contributed to countless health problems in the region since.

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By invoking this little known tenet of Homeland Security law, Bayer CropScience has managed to keep many important documents from the those who have a legitimate right to know what is going on in their backyards, the CSB, and Congress. Released copies of Bayer's PR strategy on how to deal with the incident basically say 'buy time, marginalize the activists, and it will all go away.' Fortunately, local activists and elected officials would not let this one slide. A Congressional subcommittee hearing and public meeting in Institute, W.Va on the matter were recently held.

The entire post is well worth reading.