AGletter

Text of letter sent by Idaho Downwinders to Idaho Attorney General Wasden, November 22, 2004

Dear Attorney General Wasden,

The atomic fallout that repeatedly was aimed at Idaho by the federal government had profound health impacts it created in many Idaho families. We are asking for your help.

Fifty four years after the first atomic weapons fallout hit Idaho we are finally "hearing" about RECA compensation of $50,000 for victims from the government. We would like your legal opinion because even the $50,000 seems like a grossly inappropriate settlement for the total intentional damage done.

In a car "accident" the victim receives settlement for all his medical bills and time missed at work. The atomic fallout was no accident, it was intentionally aimed at Idaho by waiting for wind patterns to blow our way. The tobacco industry paid a high price for intentionally hiding their knowledge of their poison. While a smoker still has to realize some obvious danger from smoking, Idaho never knew what hit us.

Please consider a class action suit for Idaho against the federal government and their private corporations that inflicted this pain and suffering. Please consider that many of these survivors have ongoing medical problems and bills that $50,000 doesn't cover. We need first class medical treatment and we need it now. There are people going without treatment for lack of money.

The health effects appear way beyond the tiny list of compensatable cancers under RECA. Many suffer from hypothyroidism instead of thyroid cancer from the high I-131 exposure. Our state Medicaid paid over $900,000 last year for thyroid supplement.

Radiation affects the immune system. Our autoimmune rate for Multiple Sclerosis has a statewide rate higher than what the CDC says is America's highest rate of MS, for 19 people in a county in Ohio. Smack in the center of the footprint of Nevada Test Site sits Shoshone with world record rates of MS. With these high rates of an immune disorder in Idaho, why is the burden of proof not on the government to prove they did not cause this problem by aiming weapons fallout at us repeatedly? Many more show symptoms but cannot afford to see a doctor.

In order to preserve choice in our medical care, and given the present wide spread geography of those who lived in the fallout zone, we would consider it fair to receive vouchers that our doctors can receive payment for from the government for all the medical bills of victims.

We suggest that the government and corporations must pay for the medications like thyroid supplement and drugs we need for treatment and pain.

Now we can talk about the settlement for pain and suffering. While individuals often receive millions, we realize that the large numbers of us would prohibit that. The present RECA payment to miners is $150,000. While workers assume some obvious risk with that job, we were innocent bystanders hundreds of miles away. So $250,000 appears appropriate.

While the medical vouchers are needed without a doubt, we would consider negotiating on the payment for pain and suffering if the medical care is resolved and an apology is finally given.

We realize that other states have tried to stop the onslaught of nuclear fallout and seek compensation before. They succeeded all the way to the Supreme Court, but got overturned by the "sovereign immunity" of the federal government. Does this mean that the federal government can intentionally inflict diseases, cancer, and death on its citizens? Can they do it again?

The underground atomic testing had some horrible accidents that added to Idahoans body burden of radiation we have gotten from Nevada Test Site explosions since 1950. That atomic testing was only stopped in 1992. With the issue of a renewed nuclear arms race and more deadly testing there must be a legal way to protect our state's right to life. Let us not forget that the fetus is the most vulnerable to the deadly effects of radioactive fallout coating Idaho again.

Since previous cases have made it to the Supreme Court, let us not forget that we have appointed more constitutionally based judges and often the constitution is interpreted differently.

If this "sovereign immunity" truly means that more nuclear fallout can be aimed at Idaho, what law or constitutional amendment can you write for our delegation to present to Congress that can protect a state from being aimed at with deadly nuclear fallout by our federal government?

Please share your thoughts and consider action for Idaho.

Eltona (Tona) Henderson

1324 Vista Drive

Emmett, ID 83617

tonahenderson@hotmail.com

State Representative Wendy Jaquet

Ketchum, Idaho 83340

Twin Falls (born and raised)

David Vahlberg

103 Lynwood Circle

Meridian, ID 83642

dvahlberg@yahoo.com

Gary Riggs - born in Custer Co.

Eagle, Idaho

484-7050

skriggs@msn.com

Janet Tomita - born in Lemhi Co.
Boise, ID 362-2716

tomita@bigskytel.com

Barbara Moyle

Twin Falls (contact available)

Cindy Kawano

7359 E. Nottingham Lane

Nampa, ID 83687

cindy.kawano@mcdpos.com

Earl and Susie Nelson

Twin Falls 733-1120

Howard E. Wright

Caldwell, Idaho

dvsww2@msn.com

Darlene Cheney

11718 W Gabrielle Ct

Boise, Id 83713

208-377-2984 or 208-861-6542

dcheney@icehouse.net

Deana (Barzee) Collamer

Salmon (ID) High School Class of 1958

16629 N. 29th Drive

Phoenix, AZ 85053

(602) 993-2546

dndcoll@cox.net

Illness: Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

Preston J Truman

Malad, Idaho