The US Military Contracted Burn Pits No One Is Talking About | Overlooked
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 27 мар 2024
- The US military contracts one of the largest hazardous waste handlers in North America to burn millions of pounds of munitions near a low-income and predominantly Black community in Louisiana called Colfax. The facility, Clean Harbors Colfax LLC, is the only commercial facility in the country allowed to open burn munitions waste such as HEI cartridges, propellants and even fireworks from Disneyland with little environmental emissions controls, and has been doing so since the 80s to the detriment of the people who live nearby. Residents of Colfax are complaining that the toxic air that moves off-site into their homes and the contaminants that seeps into their soil and groundwater is making them sick with skin rashes, breathing problems and cancer.
VICE heads to Colfax to document the stories of residents, citizen groups and environmental activists who are going against the giants of industry and government, refusing to back down until their community breathes clean air once again.
Click here to subscribe to VICE: bit.ly/Subscribe-to-VICE
About VICE:
The Definitive Guide To Enlightening Information. From every corner of the planet, our immersive, caustic, ground-breaking and often bizarre stories have changed the way people think about culture, crime, art, parties, fashion, protest, the internet and other subjects that don't even have names yet. Browse the growing library and discover corners of the world you never knew existed. Welcome to VICE.
Connect with VICE:
Check out our full video catalog: bit.ly/VICE-Videos
Videos, daily editorial and more: vice.com
More videos from the VICE network: www. vicevideo
Click here to get the best of VICE daily: bit.ly/1SquZ6v
Like VICE on Facebook: vice
Follow VICE on Twitter: / vice
Follow us on Instagram: / vice
Follow us on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@vice?lang=en
The VICE RUclips Network:
VICE: / vice
MUNCHIES: / munchies
VICE News: / vicenews
VICELAND: / vicelandtv
Vice Life: / broadly
Noisey: / noisey
Motherboard: / motherboardtv
VICE Sports: / noc
i-D: / idmagazine
Waypoint: / waypointvice - Развлечения
¿Quieres ver el video en español? Haz clic en el botón de configuración para cambiar la pista de audio.
Want to watch this in Spanish? Head over to the settings button to change the audio track.
I live in Colfax La, and we've hated clean harbor for many years, thank you Vice for giving a voice to the voiceless
The fact that it's called clean harbor is disturbing enough. I'm sorry this is happening
Should all the viewers be calling Louisiana’s government to complain? What can we do to help get that place shut down? I’m furious thinking that not only is it still polluting, but it is still profiting
@@barbietripping LOL, you think this would be going on without the state and local government approving it? I wonder what kind of kick backs and hush money the local officials and the governor get 🤔
I feel so much for you all. It's heartbreaking. Seems like there are some awesome people in your town. I hope you're able to fight it. Is there anything that people internationally can do to support? I'm not from the US
I have no words to describe how terrible I feel about what they are doing to the people,land and environment of Colfax!
GOD be with you all and GOD bless your community!!
I will keep you all in my prayers!
This is the type of VICE journalism we need. Great work.
Truth. VICE has been slipping in recent time, but this is the stuff that matters and happens to get views as well.
Yes. This is far better journalism than the woke bullshit.
@@collinsoconnor5843 yep and that's miles ahead of maga knuckle dragging
Task n purpose has been covering this for a couple months if you'd like more info
i unsubbed a bit ago,. and can not remember why. i will watch this and see....
This is really staggering. I simply can not believe that is actually happening. What the hell is wrong with these people who authorised these burn pits?
Governer with kickbacks
This is when the state should take over the pit....with a proper structure and filters ......
@@michaeltabanao9014 Id say it probably goes higher than the Governor, considering the military uses this to burn their expired ammunition
@@Syv_ Agree.....Its government putting profits before people.....they all line their pockets, to allow this to happen. They create more wealth to continue generational wealth.....we work for the government, which ironically is not the people. These are elite groups unfortunately 😔
@@Syv_ it's probably more like the state benefits financially
Check out more episodes of Overlooked here:
ruclips.net/p/PLDbSvEZka6GFMBOP0exV5N9K16lYYnuHR
Cringe af_
Y'all need pyrokinesis set up badly
Great series name
2022(G) “Respect and dignity.” Furthermore:
We have a story that would make a great addition to this series!
The fact that this company deliberately gave themselves an environmentaly friendly name while being fully aware the destruction they cause to nature and people around them speaks volumes of the people in the business. As well as to the ones who support them.
It's the same thing a lot of individuals do.. just like antifa 😆 🤣
Just like green for life, and blue sky. At least waste management said what they do in the name
Sounds like you are talking about the government and pharma. I generalize 👹and 🐑
Just like the inflation reduction act.
Just like every shady bill our corrupt government wants passed. Just give it a sweet sounding title and the public is oblivious. Our entire country is run by criminals.
That greenhouse part really pissed me off. Not only is that plastic really expensive but any crops he grows in there are probably carcinogenic now. Never ceases to amaze me what we are willing to do to our brothers and sisters to save a few bucks.
Me too. If that’s what plastic looks like, imagine what it’s doing to their lungs!
Don't ever stop the work you do Vice ❤ Much respect to your team.
If it's too dangerous for the landfills, then those things are TOO DANGEROUS for the air, the environment.....PERIOD. 🤬🤬🤬
They don't care
Sure, but what shall we do with it?
What should we do? Stop making explosives? Send it to space? Dump in the ocean? Put it in the landfill where it will most definitely explode causing a terrible chain reaction?
There is no other way to dispose of explosives, if anything the government should relocate the town population.
@@rhino6139 finally some common sense :)
@@rhino6139 There is literally thousands of ways to dispose of these things in controlled environment burns.
You are straight dumb
As a vet formerly serving at a burn pit base who knowingly accepted that bad things could happen to me, I'm super upset that this is happening to civilians.
Every guy I know that were stuck on that duty have had some type of cancer by now... This was in 2010 that we all went. Mostly throat and stomach cancer
What nuclear/ chemical/ biological ammunition/weapons have you burned during that time in the burn pits?
Hear, hear. We knew there would be risk. These folks were who we were supposed to be protecting.
Seems we were fighting the wrong enemy.
If only there weren’t any service members to commit acts of terrorism, some day :)
@@BK-pictish I wasn't the burner, but I WAS a medic working in a facility it blew over because of the wind direction.
Omg those people who physically affected, need to file a class action!
This is the first time I’ve ever heard of this. Thank you for bringing awareness. Hopefully Colfax has more advocates now!
This business model has conservative Republican bright idea written all over it.
@@nychris2258 & you're an IGNORAMUS.
@@straya4837 Why though? Thats more than likely the case here.
@@straya4837 And you're an ignoramus if you don't think I'm 100% correct. What other type of person has so little care for the environment and so much contempt for less fortunate people than conservative republicans?
@@straya4837 stay naive. Which political side in the USA has a history and program of not caring about the environment?
My favorite part is how it's called "Clean Harbors"
yes like the social security equity act - it lowers payments to widowers and widows - to give it to folks who have good pensions but did not contribute to SS.
Haha...I know right. More like Dirty as Hell Harbours.
Ironic how their operations are exactly the opposite of "clean".
Cleans out the housing market and land value in the area.
Not that it was worth much to begin with compared to big city areas but now it's undesirable land 100%.
The 2500 population should be relocated at the expense of facility (probably tax dollars), or they should update the flat ground facility with proper building and ventilation.
One of the 2 needs to happen, so it doesn't look like murder.
This business model has conservative Republican written all over it
I was a Marine for 14 years and spent 6 years between Iraq and Afghanistan. While on my last deployment my lungs collapsed from a burn pit. Now I can barely move without being winded.
Iraq war was always an engineered scripted event with zero weapons of mass destruction...so sorry you were used. Is it possible for you to share your wisdom and experience so that those of us...who are not on the ground know what's going on? Many levels of disconnect and deception. Blessings.
So sorry to hear this 🙏🏾
@@sylviewalker7560 he spent 6 years willingly and youre sorry for him hahahahahah
@@Ken-sd4uv how long is each contract, 6 years?
@@wawaweewa9159 yeah I feel sorry for anyone that weak minded and brainwashed to go fight for a scam.
I was exposed to burn pits for 13 years in Afghanistan. I've been away since last year so far everything is ok! But I'm curious what the future holds. I remember birds dropping out of the sky and people laughing when I pointed it out.
Why would they laugh at that?
This is proper journalism. Using a platform to promote good within REAL communities. I hope vice continues to pick up stories that “mainstream media” only helps to cover up. Good work
Vice used to report on global wars but now they shied away to making us aware of U.S. superfund sites. Seems like the military industrial complex waterered down their reporting and gave them a smaller job to focus on... Given that nuclear war is imminent and they are talking about a small explosives detonation facility...
You should watch the fox app its full if these kind of videos oh wait what am I saying watching fox is political noise and if they created it that has to be made up news.
Glad to Vice and these individuals reporting on these issues, being deployed and having burn pits near a lot of us is definitely concerning.
I believe an american talkshow host goes to Congress to fight this all the time. This isn't the first time we've heard of burn pits. Horrible reality of warmongering. Prayers to all near and prayers this will one day be controlled.
@@ltipst2962 You are correct. His name is Jon Stewart.
@@MelissaRMock Melissa knows her stuff :) yeah, what a champ, someone with an ear to chew at least
Exactly, were going to be seeing a lot of these cases coming out of the middle east in 10 years when they learn we poisoned their water and air too.
You mean profiting off these victims
I used to work for clean harbors in the northern US. Some guys came up from Texas to do a job with us. They talked about how they worked at an incinerator down there. They said they would burn ALL KINDS of stuff. He said you wouldn't even imagine the stuff they burned in those things... Some of the stuff they mentioned included large amounts of drugs (supposedly confiscated form various sources), Dirt (for some reason), and I can't remember the other stuff.
Now this is the Vice i love! Great work bringing light to the unheard, mistreated.
thanks for exposing this. I can’t believe open burn pits are going on around people. I experienced this first hand being deployed, so I know how bad it sucks living near one. It shows how money is more important than peoples lives.
Yea, when I saw the thumbnail for this video I thought it was gonna be about the military burn pits in the middle east. I was surprised to hear it was stateside.
Really, you can't believe it?
Deployed where? Were those burn pits not also near people's homes? Were they in the middle of the desert?
You will forget about it in a year, as more problems will overcome this one. And 5 years from now, you will come upon this video and post the same comment, because you forgot.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
I live 20 miles from this place, this is unacceptable and needs to be brought to the attention of more people in the area.
Girl, move, even 20 miles away you'll still be getting excess toxins. Why risk your long term health?
We need to start naming and shaming. If you know anyone that works there…. Call them out.
Why not move?
@@yurmom131 that’s just enabling it. No one is expected to be sacrificial by staying to suffer, but we have to confront it head on. Its not “just someone else’s problem”. Don’t you understand that you can’t run away from it? New studies confirm there’s not a clean raincloud on earth that hasn’t been contaminated with PFAs chemicals. You can’t just hide from environmental toxins & pollution, it doesn’t work that way. We have to go after the polluters. They are making a fortune off selling your health, you should be paying more attention.
I know it’s not easy but MOVE!
I live in Louisiana and didn’t know about this. It’s a shame. There’s a better way and I hope y’all continue to push and find it.
The Armory in Richmond Kentucky does the same place down Irvine road. I lived 1 mile away from them, constant tremors underground and loud booms. About two years after living there, I saw a sign saying they were destroying mustard gas bombs.
I lived in Lexington ky and I remember hearing about that
I spent about 10 months or so of my 14 month deployment directly exposed to burn pits. Within a about six months of getting back I had developed chronic sinusitis, my nasal passages constantly inflamed, unable to breathe through my nostrils with nearly 80% reduced capacity. Within about 12 to 18 months I had developed asthma, despite still being enlisted and still getting roughly a 260 to 270 on my APFT. After ever run I would need to up to two or three pumps of albuterol. Every night I would wake up with phlem nearly choking me, often dark brown, sometimes bloody. My bilirubin levels were chronically high, inflamation has been a constant. Now, 12 years later I have a near permanent yet subtle wheeze and a wind up motor like sound when I cough. I have been diagnosed with COPD in my thirties despite trying to maintain decent cardio vascular health.
I can't imagine what these people are going through.
And govt wonders why less and less people are donating their bodies
And they want to ramp up the manufacture of weapons to add fuel to the open burn pit in Ukraine.Sick people making people sick.
This is insane that this is allowed and the government is allowing this. I couldn't imagine what these people are going through my prayers are with them this is heartbreaking. I hope this gets shut down for the sake of their lives. Absolutely absurd that these people have to go through this.
Yay capitalism.
Don’t just pray, vote for those who will do something about these. These people need tangible help, use your most important ability to influence what you want to see.
Yeah so much for those eco policies. We ARE the carbon they are planning to eliminate, this place just speeds things along.
@ThySquid Well who do we vote for ? We have dems in office who still won't move forward with alot of green policy's we need.
Last week Biden showed up to bust the railroad strike just because people wanted sick days and the Republicans parry is basically turning into full blown nazi's. Who could we vote for to help this community?
We don’t care it’s not our problem let those dudes who volunteered to be in the military deal with it
That's horrible what the government is letting go on in Colfax. I lived in Alexandria as a kid and remember going through Colfax many times. It's a shame for not only the people but c for the land ,and water the wildlife there .I hope it's stopped and another solution can be reached to dispose of this waste.
Look what they did with the water in Michigan
@@alkdjfhgks1919 Maybe you should read a book.
Sadly nothing will happen. town is disposable in the government eyes. Look at lies about the face mask that designed for splash liquids and dust protection going to prevent or stop a deadly airborne pathogen like COVID..
@@blacklightning2419 what they do?
Dis crazy doe
I lived east, down wind from camp Minden. There were explosions every day. One night there was a huge explosion that could no longer be hidden from all the larger cities around camp Minden which was a military ordnance plant for many many years. The 😢explosion put a large debris field in the air that was tracked by radar for 30 miles. It rained debris for thirty miles from that facility. I lived as the crow flies about 3 miles from the facility. Through the years I lived there I had lung cancer, my neighbor died of a rare esophageal cancer. To make long story short everyone I knew or talked to had cancer or lost a family member to cancer. On my street every family had at least one member die of cancer. They opened burned from explosions for years till the large accidental explosion that scared everyone into researching what was going on out there. They discovered MILLIONS of pounds of explosive material sitting out in the weather waiting to be detonated. It was a very volatile situation. The company was fined millions of dollars and a couple of them went to jail. But if that huge explosion had not happened they would have continued to detonate one explosion at time. But the people within a 10 mile radius it’s too late the damage has been done. We moved from there four years ago, 24 years to late, my husband and I both have health issues and had to quit our jobs and go on disability. I pray for the people of Colfax. Get your children out.
Thanks for telling this story. Grew up 30 mi from Minden and remember all the explosives found. Never heard how they were disposing of it until now.
I am currently in the us army and this is yet another reason for me to not sign another contract. This is horrible, irresponsible and sickens me that we have burn pits in our own country after all the veterans that witnessed this same thing overseas. I hope all these people sue the hell out of everyone responsible for allowing these toxic pits to continue.
Yea sounds like something some one in the army would say…
What's sad is it's damn near going to take a lot of deaths and denial from our government before anything will be done.
Yea other than this burning, the American army hasn't done anything horrible, irresponsible or sickening
Please don’t sign up to rob people for these companies. Get out asap! Save yourself and the people they want you to kill
@@justgeo3879 actually it sounds very much like something a vet would say. I'm glad to see someone currently enlisted wake up. The veterans are fed up with trying to get the VA to cover health care it absolutely should be covering.
If Disney is one of the corporations that is participating in this then I think an online campaign that focuses on them specifically will have the most impact, they do not want that association in the minds of the public
This right here. Few companies monitor their public image as closely as Disney
Smart
I like this idea and it’s worth a shot! I just fear that they will only/probably use a different company to dispose of their fireworks and make that publicly known. The problem is the military will probably continue to use them and having that connection will keep them in business as it’s doing right now. As for Disney old fireworks being burned is probably one of the least harmful things that happens there? however if someone puts this together I will sign up!
Yeah, Disney ...Lets look right past Trump
@@stonerhistory8742 was he one of funders implicated? i missed that
This is insane!!!! Somebody needs to be held accountable for this!! They only get away with this because they are in a small town. And figured nobody will care about a small town. Thanks Vice for covering this story!!
Wow, since 2002?! I hope Colfax residents get the support they need to tackle this issue.
A veteran tells us that living close to that place reminds him exactly like being in a war zone and he had to move. Neighbors are getting sick. But no one in the government seem to care because they care about money more than people
They still haven't cleaned up Hanford, and that was 80 years ago. This won't get cleaned up.
Diesel isn’t flammable lmao
Couldn't agree more 👍
When I was stationed on Naval base Indian Head, Maryland. We used a burn pit and it was common for service members shortly after leaving the unit to get cancer. Several of my friends and old co-workers who were exposed to the burn pit daily have already been diagnosed with cancer. 🤕 I’m currently patiently waiting for my turn. Also the burn pit is still active to this day.
Oh wow terrifying. What kinds of cancers? Prayers headed your way, Mike. Stay strong.
Praying you out my Never get the C word!!!
That is so sad for you to say. Please look up detoxes and clean your system
@@lisalewis4138 alot harder then you think, once oil gets in the lungs, it literally cannot get out.
@@mftripz8445 Oh my God. I feel so freaking bad for you. Please take care of yourself and I have you in my prayers
good video, vice. i never heard of this happening before and it’s crazy nothings been done.
This needs to be stopped and thank you for making people aware of it.
If US Military can do that to its own citizens, imagine what they do to people living nearby their bases and facilities overseas.
Clean harbours is a privately owned company. They have a government contract to dispose of the munitions. The Army is not to blame here.
The US Military, huh?? Do you mean the state of Louisiana and Clean Harbors?
The US military is just a customer same with Disney, so with you faulty logic you should be blaming Disney as well. Clean Harbors is contracted to do this job because they are the lowest bidder, which the American public demands.
@@rockyj5047 so US military cannot be held accountable for not making sure that its contractors don't care about US citizens?
Then why we ask Amazon or Apple to care?
@@rockyj5047 You aren’t wrong but let’s be real it’s fucked up. Don’t deny it. Even the military ain’t denying it. Troops are dying from it. Towns are dying from it. But like I said, I agree when the land was purchased, the state, or county, whoever. Should’ve chose a better spot.
Imagine the water all of us Marines drank and bathed in at Camp Lejeune over the thirty years worth of toxic water.
Thanks Vice for bringing attention to this, hope to see a follow up vid in a year or so
I mean me too except in a yearni guarantee you more then 30% of the people you see in this video will be dead by the next one and STILL Noone will care.
Flint still doesn't have clean water
Im glad vice is covering something important!! Thank you!
I noticed she said the only “COMMERCIALLY” owned open burn facility. So are there others that aren’t commercial?
Saw a great piece on a bauxite mining company, similarly ruining absolutely stunning natural landscapes in rural Jamaica, and wondered what it would look like if it happened in the US. Lo and behold, this comes along. They always target areas with the most vulnerable of people. This is also a cautionary tale as to why these corporations prefer you stay uneducated or misinformed, as they hope your communities will have no leg to stand on in court or fight back
This is a private company, allowed to operate because of their state laws. You have to go after the legislators.
Anyone willing to operate a facility like this in this way should be removed from this planet. It's simply inhumane and the damage to the environment is insane.
@@SyntheticFuture true but, as long as this is legal, it will continue. Someone will do it.
@@SyntheticFuture " You have to go after the legislators. " still..... lol
Vote out all previously elected politicians.
We need to take control back into our own hands.
Vote them *OUT*.
When youre in the voting booth and unsure who to vote gor? Vote out ppl in power.
Vote.
The Governor!!! The LDEQ is in the Executive Branch, and the Governor, whom I know personally, has known about this for 7 rears, and he has done nothing to stop this.
Given the overwhelming scientific evidence about the profound health damage done by even low levels of air pollution, it is absolutely appalling that this is still allowed to happen. Thank you VICE for bringing this injustice to light.
I don’t like Vice but I give credit where credit is do. Thank you for telling this story, this needs to come to a stop. What they are doing here is tragic and evil. Prayers for the good people of Colfax.
Crazy. Just unacceptable. This needs to stop. I hope the community gets the help they deserve. Keep fighting and keep this exposed for all to see.
Thanks for covering this! I was so disgusted when I found out years ago that the military exempted itself from EPA regulations.
Glad you're reporting on issues at home. Plenty of em.
I actually almost worked for this oxymoronic company glad it never panned out. vice always leads me to the edge of being radical
First off, thank you for bringing this to the attention of the world. No body deserves to live like this. I hope they stop this non sense right away.
Thank you VICE for telling stories that aren’t being told but need to be heard.
Or making you tjink there not i heard of this long ago
These are wonderful people that do not deserve to be treated so cruelly.
Loving Vice journalism. You are true Professionals. Thank you ☺️
As a born and raised West Virginian, I understand your pain! Many times corporations have come in and polluted our air and water.
I am praying a solution is found quickly!!
Disgraceful. That community deserves justice.
So does Sierra madre where bernie sanders dumped VT nuclear waste
So sad, thanks for the awareness ❗🤯
Absolutely terrible. Great job exposing this. It takes stories like this for action to happen. With all the technology at our disposal today, there must be a better way to dispose of this waste.
Reason why this able to legally happen is because the military is for the most part exempt from environmental emissions or pollution. That's why most likely nothing will change, regardless of the negative impact it's had on the people. It's sad but most likely will not stop.
Nope. You got this one wrong. The only reason why this is able to LEGALLY happen is because it is low Economic area. This kind of stuff don't happen to affluent America, Does it?
Didn’t they say Disneyworlds waste fireworks were disposed there? Unless Goofy made it through camp Pendleton I’d say that’s bullsh*t
@@iJacker lmaofireworks is just a pretty word for munitions that expired.
Honestly, The more attention this gets, the more the Us government will have to do. Don’t forget the military and it’s members are also subject to the same laws and rules we follow too. They can be taken to court just like anybody else.
I support the military and vets 100%, I just hate that people act like the military is one entity and we can’t do anything. That is wrong. That is the good thing about America.
And yes, I do believe the military should be held accountable and be forced to put some tax money into that town.
@@spontaneousexpress What did he get wrong? You are both right.
As one who works in the waste disposal industry, I'm familiar with clean harbors and their disgusting lack of care for not only our environment. But also our fellow humans.
Clean Harbors literally cleaned up the BP oil spill...
@@bansheeiwtd2978 doesn't make this situation any better. Companies like this that hurt others and the environment only do "good" deeds for public optics and then go back to what they've always done once they are off the radar.
Just like big dirty pharmaceuticals who pay victims shut up money and create fake lawsuits.
Those non stick teflon pans? Even though banned for the extreme damage they've cause and how dangerous the material is, it hasn't stopped the company. They've rebranded multiple times, changed chemical ingredients slightly to relaunch non stick legally. Paid shut up money etc...
Multiple corporations like Nike use slavery still.
So anyways, point is. You've basically made an excuse for a very dirty company and just because they've cleaned up one oil spill doesn't make them a shining example due to the obvious continuing issue addressed here.
@@jaram2369 You're right. Let's just start dumping all of our hazardous waste and materials back out on the streets, in parks, and your front yard.
Thanks for shedding light on this
Catchy name for a business. Sounds almost comforting.
This is common when the US ARMY leaves third world countries. The burn pits are standard and no one cares when it’s happening in Africa or Afghanistan for example.
Always happens close to poor people.
Since the Military is all over in Eastern Europe I'm sure they are burning stuff there too.
Well, we're not in Africa or Afghanistan, we live in the US. I care about my country, my fellow citizens - if you are so concerned for other countries, go live there and help. Go live in those third world conditions, betcha won't.
@@Scorpiobw I just made a comparison where the US Army show the same behavior. It’s obviously not a problem for the president. Why should I live abroad just because of my comparison? 🤔
I’ve lived in Ghana when I worked as an volunteer back in the days. So if you have a fetish for betting you’ve lost this one! 😂
@@Scorpiobw even when your government doesn't care about you?
@@remix763 I am very aware that our government doesn't care for us, that's why I AM concerned for my country and my fellow citizens.
Absolutely deplorable. My heart goes out to those people. I am completely disgusted
The dumps are interesting as well. Thank you for this story
My question, as a environmentalist myself, is, what are our alternatives? What alternative companies can handle the industrial waste? The scale of waste? Genuinely interested for the company/lab that I work for and want to research if this waste can be contain and/or neutralized safely.
Simple, move it deep into the desert at least 500 miles from the nearest town or install smoke collection and filtration system, collect the dust and bury if deep down the earth. If it can' t be done , move the facility to Washington DC next to the congress or the White House and let the nation share the burden equally.
Visited and delivered to colfax multiple times. Its has history markers of a slave revolt back in the days. Tight community with strong willed people.
Oh man. I feel.for that man. Having asthma and wanting to breathe and not being able to, but it being caused by a company is illegal. People should start suing
What a disgrace. Those executives should be required to live on the property with their families.
This is insane. I submitted a comment to request the plant be shut down immediately. I will also be calling the LDEQ tomorrow to do the same.
As a resident of Louisiana, I'm disgusted to hear something of this nature goes on in my own backyard. Munitions can be denotated safely and in better means than inflicting damage on citizens who rightfully belong there. The damages done to the surrounding community, are irreparable and abysmal. Folks who organized this operation should be ashamed of themselves and pursued in a legal court. Shameful of the plumes that have been released, and that will continue to pollute an atmosphere of once clean air. God bless those people, and may justice come to light. Props for those citizens for speaking out.
Sounds like you got a business opportunity. Go and do it then buddy. Promise you it won’t be as easy as writing a comment on RUclips 😂
If it's 2000% cheaper than using burning chambers, no wonder there's a blind eye turned here. Corporate profit will always take priority over the wellbeing of unprofitable people.
yes and those corrupted biden administration want everyone using electrical car to safe the planet what a biggest hoax
Bro the military is funded by the tax payers. The fact is we aren’t willing to pay more in taxes for them to do otherwise. People already are mad at their budget size. The fact is the military is needed and it’s expensive.
@@nonyobussiness3440 Needlessly expensive. The amount of pork spending and wasted resources the military creates is ridiculous. I didn't say we don't need it, but holy hell can it be ineffective with it's resources. Regardless though, part of that bill for the military should never have included the livelihood of the folks livin' in Colfax.
Wow vice going back to actual journalism I'm amazed
Need to post this on all of their social media's.
I live in a section 8 apartment next to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. They do bomb disposal and training here. I did two tours to Iraq as a combat Medic. I lived in a Bradley fighting vehicle. The water here smells so bad. Like fish one day, sulfer the next, bleach th day after. It's so difficult to be here and not relapse. I understand that part of this story very well. Sigh....what have we done. To ourselves, each other and the world. It's so hard not to give in.
Sounds like ur looking for a reason to relapse. If trouble hasn't found you yet don't go looking for trouble they say
Andrew Weaver, Thank you for your service and I hope your conditions improve in all areas: PTSD, living arrangements and environmental toxins 🙏🏾
@@ogmotherhustler services? They were paid right
@@memyself6360 Andrew Weaver, stated he was in military 🎖️ as a " combat medic " for NOT one but two tours of duty ... Which is a form of service to the country, which is why I thanked him. As far as him (Andrew Weaver) being paid in compensation by the Government in Military Benefits, for his service.. I don't think you can put a compensatory valuation of comparison on PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
DON’T GIVE IN!!!! As an addict in recovery myself let me say it’s not worth it and you will regret it!!! Every time you feel like a relapse is inevitable just think about how hard it was to stop using in the first place and how much you never want to have to go through that again. It’s not worth it! I wish I could talk to you in person but I hope at least my words will help you even if only a little. I would also like to thank you for your service and I will keep you in my prayers. GOD BLESS!!
Damn... this immediately reminds me of the movie Dark Waters... And that was truly a horror film. If you've seen it, you know what I mean.. The horror is in the fact that this kind of poisoning, by various "state approved" manufacturing companies, has not only been happening for decades, but is STILL happening even after all the documentaries, movies and press etc., and is actually growing rapidly, with new "processing plants" like this appearing every year, right now, right next to your cities and countryside escapes, layered by a ton of legal paperwork that will take too long to compensate the immediate victims as they die before they see a conclusion to their cases and the effect on the world as the majority of its population is still asleep in front of their televisions, which is what the companies rely on - exactly the same as big pharma too, by the way.
They're putting it in our local waters, our local air, our local produce, no matter how far you try to go... and this will keep going on and on and on.... until only dirty algae is left to feed on. If you find anything like this near you, piss on their gates, and tell everyone you can about it!
It's basically murder. Those in charge of deciding whether this goes on or not are serial killers. If I knowingly poisoned my neighbors' water and food, I'd be arrested and investigated immediately. But the same does not go for them. Incredible.
yeah unfortunately because of capitalism and the euros who control it, the most common way to dispose of industrial waste is to literally filter it through human bodies by adding it to food, air and water... sometimes clothing and other stuff too. but yeah, our bodies are the dump sites for the vast majority of industrial waste today....
👏 well said, great movie reference too
Underrated film-
Great movie! I lived in Parkersburg, WV for a short while, DuPont facility like 10 min away..terrible what the people have to deal with..
Sending prayers 😥
Ho comes up with the idea of building a facility for burning poison in the middle of a area where people have lived in a big community for many many years, it's absolutely mind-boggling that a county can make this happen and just give a dam about what happens to the people who lives there.
I served from 04 to 08 with a tour in baghdad in 05. I was lucky enough to not br around any of this, but I k ow several brothers of mine suffering from burn pit exposure
Insane that they do that too the people who risked it all. I can't imagine how u feel having been shot at, seen friends die, and all the other horrors of a war zone only to be screwed over by uncle Sam. Baffling anyone still signs up knowing the treatment ex soldiers receive on their return home. Hope your time didn't scar you forever, hope you're doing well
I used to work for clean harbors. It's a shame what is burnt . The worst chemicals you can imagine
Thank you for your honesty, there's another comment from a current worker about how good the pay & health benefits are...🙄
This is so deeply disturbing I'm so sorry Residents of Colfax
This is one of the saddest things I’ve seen. Thank you vice for doing a story on it
When i lived in NC the military base would have controlled burns all the time near the highways, crazy to think my entire childhood was surrounded by this
I've lived by 2 military bases my whole life and they've blown up expired munitions here my whole life as well. Every Wednesday windows shake if your close enough to the base.
then when u look up clean harbor. They don't mention this company at all in Colfax
Much of what goes on in this corrupt state disturbs me. There is more insanity than sanity in how virtually everything is done here, and often it's the most humble, honest, and selfless people who bear the brunt of the suffering.
thanks buddy for seeing the true Cajun life
how has the whole town not opened a class action lawsuit. Any lawyer would have a field day with the payouts
Clean Harbor might not have the deep pockets that attract lawyers.
@@dennismitchell5276 yes they do, Clean Harbors reports revenues in the billions. I almost worked for them in the Houston area. My best guess in that area is corruption. Legal proceedings have to go through corrupt judges, lawyers, politicians, law enforcement etc, etc. I remember driving by Camp Minden, daily. [A lot of people had concerns but, I never saw a news report on it until after I moved. Then to find out what kind of ordinance was stored there (unprotected) was eye opening. The problem with Camp Minden when I was there was that, flooding and leaks was pusing chemicals down, through the ground into the water table. Majority of people in those areas have there own ground water wells. Soon after, people had to start buying water testing kits. 15 years ago none of this was a problem, today?...well.] Corruption is a real issue in the state. The power dynamic is clear, the rich hate the poor. Breaking through via the judicial system is...difficult without outside help.
Where's Erin brockovich?
yep.....there is plenty to go after.....State, County, Company....Feds, possible Civil Rights, you name it
This is criminal man. Disney fireworks and the armys ammunition..... Absolutely disgusting. Good work Vice. This is quality reporting.
I'd like to see something done with our water situation here in Flint Michigan
SCREAM IT OUT LOUD WE ARE WITH YOU BUT CALL YOUR CONGRESS PERSON OR YOUR SENATOR ALSO! NEVER GIVE UP
I never knew that this was going on in my hometown. It makes sense as to why Colfax looked like a war zone when I was kid. Now I know why. Poor Louisiana😥
My prayers go out to those good people smh..
Thank you Vice for giving these kinds of issues attention. We citizen’s shouldn’t grow complacent with those above us treating us as disposable.The more attention and action, the more issues well be able to fix
I was in the 82nd airborne for years as an artillery surveyor. I spent a lot of time on an observation post, spotting missions on the edge of an impact area. There were burn pits going on the edge of the same impact area most days I was out there.
We have clean harbor in lake jackson Texas and I think they open burn or close burn but I never had any sores why is that?
Its absolutely criminal what this government gets away with.
Large corporate donations means the health of these Americans and their right to clean air and water is stolen from them. Ask your representative about the HR1 act which had provisions for making campaign finance more transparent and required super PACs and “dark money” political organizations to make their donors public. Most Americans supporting either party would agree that the open burning of chemicals in this case is wrong.
The attorney general of the state of Louisiana needs to file a class action lawsuit. That’s the only way to shut them down. environmental lawyers needs to be contacted based on the environmental/ health issues of the predominately rural/poor community.
Ours doesn't do anything. I don't even think he's filed a report since Trump took office.
They must be aware already, but are choosing to do nothing.
I won't get into depth too much because I like being above ground.
Nobody will do a thing about it unless they're a civil group.
Your right but your assuming that politicians actually give a damn about their constituents. All they care about is their corporate donors.
@@DevJB 🎯
The military abides not by the DUDE , they are responsible to no one. This is a huge issue that's going on. To think there are people living nearby is unconscionable.
these are BASIC FREEDOMS!
This is a privately owned company not the military LOL
@@johnsnow5955 the military works with them so it might as well be the military. like how weapons manufacturers are private entities but have high level clearance in military intelligence crap...
big lebowski reference?
@@saturationstation1446 Nope sorry military contracts does not make you the military still a privately owned for profit company.
My husband served in Germany (ARMY) 76-78, he said they had burn pits all over Germany (not on PACT list they don’t), this year, he’s been dx w/glioblastoma brain cancer, after preceding dx in the past 20 yrs of polycythemia (which can transition to AML), Hypothyroidism, Hypertension, Adv Ulcerative Colitis, all of which are now VA presumptive, but do you think you can prove a service connection? What’s happening in LA, is Horse S&*^!
i was a heavy equipment operator on Balad, Iraq 04-06 left there with Iraqi crud had a acoustic neuroma removed in 17, and stomach lipoma also. I have lung issues and have a schwannoma on brain stem u think I could get any Dr in Louisiana to make a service related connection. haha I live an hr south of Colfax and never new about this place it's probably next to the river also.
The are some University students working on a paper that can connect toxic waste material from Colfax to water samples taken from the Mississippi in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, I believe their study comes out next year after peer review.
Most likely will be killed before anything gets published you know how the government is
🤔 paper trail needs to come out on stock investments in this company.....probably some heavy hitters in Congress....
@@michaeltabanao9014 doubt it
@@hughjanus6720 government as a whole dosent move on environmental reports......once you associate individuals in the government with the activity of having financial holdings...then it stops.....unfortunately thats how it works... Here in southern California , have sewage from Mexico shutting down local beaches for 30 years....an environmental journal as large as the Old Testament.....Nothing 🙈🙉🙊
@@michaeltabanao9014 doubt ot
Prayers up for the these people. This is where donations should be going to help people like this
Dark money secretive donations from largest corporate donors stop politicians doing the right thing and banning the open burning of chemicals like this. Ask your rep about the Disclose act part of HR1 which requires super pacs and dark money political organisations to make their donations public so Americans on all sides can see who is buying their politicians and pressurise their reps for change.
Wow vice this was very interesting and also sad for these people to experience… just terrible