APNewsBreak: Docs detail government damage of Trail of Tears

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By TRAVIS LOLLER and ERIK SCHELZIG

COKER CREEK, Tenn. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service has ripped up a portion of the Trail of Tears in the Appalachian Mountains, reopening wounds for Native Americans who consider sacred the land where thousands of their ancestors died during their forced migration westward.

The man-made trenches and berms were discovered last summer but the details about how it happened and those responsible hadn't been publicly identified. In documents obtained recently by The Associated Press, the Forest Service acknowledged that an employee approved construction along a ¾-mile section of the trail in eastern Tennessee without authorization, an embarrassing blunder for an agency that was supposed to be protecting the trail for future generations.

The $28,500 in contracting work done in 2014 involved using heavy equipment to dig three deep trenches called "tank traps" and a series of 35 berms. It was meant to keep out all-terrain vehicles and prevent erosion, but agency officials now say it was done in violation of federal laws.

Sheila Bird of the Cherokee Nation said she cried when she was asked at a meeting with Forest Service officials to talk about the impact of the damage.

FULL story at link.

Read more: http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/oklahoma_news/apnewsbreak-docs-detail-government-damage-of-trail-of-tears/article_4afb9ff2-3bc1-5713-885f-bd3c330079b9.html

[CBGLuthier]

1. There is no such thing as sacred land.

and I am speaking as someone whose children and wife are the descendants of a trail survivor and I live in the endpoint for the fucking thing but sorry folks nothing sacred about it.

It is just another bit of the horrible history of mankind.

[Fast Walker 52]

2. as sad as this may be, it sounds like it was well intentioned

and hopefully only harmed a small part of the trail.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. If you think the government isn't honoring the promises they made

to Native Americans over this land, wait until the Libertarians take over
and there is no government - and no courts - to enforce the laws

Dependent upon private corporations for environmental protection whose
only motive is profiteering

What a marketing bonanza ... Trail of Tears hotels, restaurants, theme
parks, McMansion developments

Just sign on the bottom line, no money down, Liar Loan cards accepted

Why do these incidents of the evil government is doing to Native Americans
and other things always leak out around election time?

WHO is behind the timing? Those who want complete GOP takeover and
less government - the Libertarians

Free market theorists created the slave trade in the 1600s or 1700s - prior
to government regulation. Africa - Rum - Slaves. Guys who exploited it all
lived in palaces, early international capitalists. It was racist then, it's mindset
lingers to this day

[dembotoz]

4. find it strange that the forest service guy did not understand the land over which he had

jurisdiction


some desk jockey in a regional office?

[KittyWampus]

5. It says they did it to keep out ATV's and prevent erosion. It's not like they just randomly

decided to dig up some spots for shits and giggles.

That said, I can empathize with those upset. It's essentially a long burial ground along the trail.

I loathe ATV's and resent having them in natural spaces when I am hiking. So from my standpoint, if it could help keep out the noise, stench and disruption of ATV idiots, it'd be worthwhile.

[sarcasmo]

6. Every year we deal with Takesgiving and now the Forest Service opens up old wounds.

My blood pressure is off the charts right now.