So what if we kill a few people with our testing? Is Rocketdyne telling us the whole story?

Years ago we filed a case against Rocketdyne/Santa Susana Field Laboratory near Simi Valley, California. This case was dismissed based on the statute of limitations as it existed at the time. Hundreds of people were left with no redress from injuries that they believed were caused by Rocketdyne. However, no one knew the whole story. On October 6, 2006, an LA Times article disclosed that radioactive emissions appear to have been MUCH greater than previously suspected and could have resulted in hundreds of cancers in the surrounding community–according to a new study. Studies like this show that chemicals DO cause cancer. This study wasn’t available to us then, at the time we filed the lawsuit. Now that this study is available, the case, in a sense, should be re-born. But the current laws would say that Rocketdyne neighbors who had cancer, and who were dismissed could NOT now re-file. Too bad for them. Out of luck. Case dismissed…but this is NEW information available to us and the public that was NOT available back then. Why should the injured victims, innocent in this whole situation, who were guilty only of drinking water and breathing the air, be penalized? If this were a criminal case, and there were newly discovered DNA evidence, as this information has been newly discovered, the case could be re-filed in some states. I am advocating an argument for allowing people to re-file cases based upon evolving science. Why should innocent victims be penalized because the science is lagging behind the law? In this particular case, the study found that Rocketdyne had purposely WITHHELD information from the researchers. If the polluter stood in the way of responsible scientific reporting in order to benefit the polluter alone, why should the victim continue to suffer? Public health deserves greater protection by the law. Not only is the LA Times article disturbing, it is also extremely disheartening to see such deceit. Industry is withholding critical information that surrounding communities need to know in order to protect themselves. Public health, OUR health and safety, is now being jeopardized because the truth was being withheld. There is a memorandum written by one of Rocketdyne’s own employees specializing in Advanced Aerothermodynamics. This employee wrote to upper management because he was CONCERNED with test firings at another facility, test firings that could endanger the public. The reply he received from management is shocking. I quote their response. “It doesn’t matter if we kill a few people with our testing, because Rockwell has a large legal staff that can take care of that kind of thing.” The letter from the Rocketdyne employee closes with this: “If I were forced to testify before a Grand Jury following a lethal spill, I would have to state that the above statement was the last that I had heard from Rockwell management on this subject.” This information coupled with the witholding of information is very scary. Is this really the attitude of industry: to approve the sacrifice of a few people for profit? We should be outraged! But if we say nothing--if we do nothing about it, we are condoning it. We become part of the problem. When information reveals the extreme callousness of a company, a company that doesn’t care if they "kill a few people" with their testing; and further shows that they withheld pertinent information; that the withholding of that information could jeopardize the lives hundreds of innocent people, what should we do? What can we do? It becomes OUR job and the job of the LAW to go out and LEGISLATE in order to PROTECT the PEOPLE. When new information comes forward in civil cases, and that that information has been purposely withheld from everyone, including researchers and the public, there must be relief for the innocent victims. In circumstances like the one I’ve mentioned above, the statute of limitations should be revived and adjusted to run from the time the public learns of the purposely withheld information so that the PEOPLE can get the JUSTICE that they so deserve. Why should companies that participate in withholding information be rewarded? Why should the victims of such withheld facts be penalized? Justice requires that the law be changed. It is only fair. Bibliography * Covarrubias, Amanda. "Study Says Lab Meltdown Caused Cancer. Scientists say details about the 1959 accident near Simi Valley continue to be withheld. Other contamination at the site is much clearer." LA Times 26 Oct. 2006.