This day. Anniversary of US criminal use of Agent Orange in Vietnam with the collusion of Canada

August 10 marks the 57th anniversary of the start of the chemical warfare program in Vietnam in 1961 without sufficient remedial action by the U.S. government. One of the most shameful legacies of the Vietnam War, Agent Orange continues to poison Vietnam and the people exposed to the chemicals, as well as their offspring.

Halifax and War – the Castine Fund; Dalhousie University and the spoils of war

In the early 19th century, George Ramsay, the ninth Earl of Dalhousie and Nova Scotia Lieutenant-Governor at the time, wanted to establish a Halifax college open to all, regardless of class or creed.

The spoils of war helped fulfill his dream. During the War of 1812, Castine, a small port in Maine, was being used as a base by American privateers who harassed ships along the Eastern Seaboard. In August and September 1814, Sir John Coape Sherbrooke sent a Royal Navy force and 500 British troops to conquer Maine and (again) establish the colony of New Ireland.

US veterans demand justice from Agent Orange spraying at CFB Gagetown (II)

Agent Orange Association of Canada supports US action, demands end to impunity. Part II in a series; for Part I, visit here

(Mike Staples, Daily Gleaner NB) – THE co-president of the Agent Orange Association of Canada Inc. is applauding an announcement last week by the State of Maine to have the U.S. federal government recognize environment hazards associated with military training at Gagetown.

Carol Brown Parker said it’s encouraging to see Maine Gov. Paul LePage involved.

U.S. veterans demand justice from Agent Orange spraying at CFB Gagetown

Part I in a series. For Part II visit here.

Maine Army National Guard helicopter flies over CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick | 2001 Portland Press Herald

ONE of the most significant chemical warfare experiments in Canada was the 1966-67 testing of Agent Orange, a dioxin-containing defoliant made by U.S. and German chemical monopolies such as Monsanto, Dow Chemical and Bayer. It was sprayed on trees at CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick, in preparation for its lethal use in Viet Nam. [1]

Now a Maine newspaper, the Portland Press Herald, reports that two state senators, Susan Collins and Angus King, have proposed legislation that would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to investigate whether some American veteran’s health problems are linked to the U.S. chemical warfare tests in Gagetown. The U.S. has completely denied any responsibility, even though the U.S. military carried out spraying in 1966 and 1967 at the base.

Hugo Chávez, oil and Maine

The death of President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela not expected to immediately affect energy assistance program in Maine, which has benefited over 60,000 households as well as the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Mi’kmaq and Maliseet First Nations, tribal official says. A civilized and cultured response that stands in stark contrast to the response of Ottawa and Washington filled with hate and revenge against the Bolivarian leader as the “instigator” of all the obstacles that lie in the path of the U.S. imperialist striving for domination of the Americas and the world.

By Dawn Gagnon, BDN Staff

Millions of Venezuelans take to the streets to pay tribute to President Hugo Chávez, as his body is taken from the military hospital where he died to the National Military Academy to lie in state, March 6, 2013

INDIAN ISLAND, Maine (March 7) — The death Tuesday of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez is not expected to affect the Venezuelan-sponsored humanitarian program that has provided energy assistance to low-income Maine people since at least 2006, according to an official familiar with the program.

Among those who have benefited from the heating aid provided by Citgo Petroleum Corp. — the national petroleum company of Venezuela — are households throughout the state that are eligible for the state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, and members of Maine’s Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Micmac and Maliseet tribes.

Sighting. Maine weather warning

Courtesy Undernews

Shunpiking: Maine moose on the loose

THIS fascinating video was shot in the morning of July 3rd on the Falmouth Spur, a short freeway which connects two turnpikes, Interstate 95 with Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 1, north of Portland, Maine. The spur has only two interchanges – one at each end – and  a toll booth in the middle. The video shows a young moose making his way up the highway at a brisk pace, hooves clacking on the pavement, as it runs parallel to the car driving in the passing lane. It narrowly misses becoming dinner as it darts across oncoming traffic to avoid paying the toll. The Maine Wire, a conservative, right wing news website, claimed that “he was heading north to enjoy some Fourth of July festivities in the deep woods with his family.” Any port in a storm.

Videotaping while driving Maine toll highways not recommended