• Originally published July 14, 2008 at 7:03 p.m., updated July 14, 2008 at 7:03 p.m.

The solid message of Jesus Christ was that we should love our neighbor as ourselves!

Recently, I received a notice from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that the uranium mining company exploring for uranium in Goliad has filed an application, and that application is complete. From the wording in the notice, TCEQ will approve the application.

“UEC has requested that a portion of the aquifer be designated as an exempt aquifer. The requested exemption would apply from a depth of from 45 to 404 feet.” What is an “exempted” aquifer? According to this notice, “An aquifer or portion of any aquifer can be designated as an exempted aquifer if it does not currently serve as a source of drinking water for human consumption....”

Am I missing something here? Hasn’t water from 45 to 405 feet been a source of drinking water for area families for several generations? Or perhaps does UEC and TCEQ want us all to believe those families don’t exist?

“The Executive Director has made a preliminary decision that this permit, if issued, meets all the statutory and regulatory requirements....” Oops! Did I miss something here? Didn’t we just read that the aquifer must not be a source of human drinking water?

When greed for money blinds those who sign uranium leases to the 100-percent failure rate of the uranium mining industry to clean up after themselves, this is not in the spirit Christ was trying to promote. Worse yet, when those mining representatives have been caught in lies over and over, and people still lease, this is the worst kind of evil!

I have a word for those who, for greed, would endanger their neighbor and his property. One day you’ll have to face your maker “because for every matter there is a time and judgment. Though the misery of man increases greatly.” Ecc. 8:6

I found it strangely ironic after re-reading Sherilyn Arnacke’s guest editorial defending uranium mining in Goliad County that when her own homestead in Victoria County was threatened by the Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC), she and her husband showed up at a meeting in Victoria to oppose it.

How odd that the TTC issue is so much like the uranium mining issue. Less than 1 percent support uranium mining, and that fact was made obvious at the TCEQ meeting in Goliad. TCEQ, however, feels just fine about granting the mining permit as if we do not exist. Clearly, 99 percent of the public in Texas oppose the TTC, and, yet, in spite of overwhelming public opposition, TxDOT keeps trudging on as if we do not exist.

We’ve done everything our civics lessons said we could do. We’ve written letters to our elected officials, letters to the editor, assembled peaceably and attended meetings to oppose the project. Clearly, the opposition to both the TTC and uranium mining is overwhelming, but this evil proceeds “because the sentence against evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set to do evil.” Ecc. 8:11

In spite of the will of the vast majority of the people, they, TCEQ, TxDOT and the uranium miners, are doing what they want because it’s in the power of their hands to do so. “Woe to those who devise iniquity, and who work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it because it is in the power of their hand! They covet fields, and take them by violence, also houses and seize them. So they oppress a man and his house. A man and his inheritance.” Micah 2:1-2

When I posted this as a blog, I expected that there will always be some sociopath, as described above, who’ll whine about facts and data in an effort to justify the rape of our freedom, our property and our lives in the name of greed. The facts are that in Texas the uranium mining industry has a 100-percent failure rate for restoring the property they’ve damaged. The TCEQ has that same failure rate at protecting Texas property owners. This is documented and undeniable!

I don’t want to hear any garbage about me supporting nuclear power but opposing uranium mining. The fact is that Generation III nuclear power is safe. I’d happily live in a lean-to on the reactor building for a year if the sociopaths who defend uranium mining will drink John Caldwell’s water for a year. Why should Texas allow uranium mining in a drinking water aquifer when uranium mining is done safely, far from civilization in Canada and Australia?

The people of this area, those whose land has already been damaged, are being backed into a corner. There seems to be no escape. No remedy. Never back someone into a corner! That’s when someone gets hurt! I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

The majority of the people are being ignored in favor of lining the pockets of a miniscule minority.

I spoke with the authorities about this growing resentment.

I fear this will get down right nasty.

That’s usually what happens when the might of right is ignored.

Are we really loving our neighbor or loving the jingle in our pockets?

Kenneth Schusteriet is a resident of Victoria.

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