Canada has always been my second-favorite country. A lot of it is the pure, unsullied, rugged beauty of the country - like having a much bigger Western US. One of the vacations I hope to take someday if it is still possible is a coast-to-coast train trip across this interesting and intriguing gentle giant. Another big part of it of course is living my entire life within driving distance of the border, meaning that I have worked with and had as neighbors and friends Canadians who had either temporarily or permanently transplanted here.
So it pains me point out that all is not well among all the companies in particular just across the border. Here in Washington we are fortunate to host the US branch of the Columbia River (along with our friends to the south, Oregon of course for part of the way). If you are musically or geographically uncertain, yes that is Woody Guthrie's "Roll On Columbia, Roll On" subject.
For several years now we have been reading stories of a Canadian smelter just across the border in British Columbia that has apparently been using the Columbia for much of the smelter's life as its private....latrine shall we say?
The legal case is complicated by the fact that the US government is trying not to get too noisily involved, but some Native American tribes (also sovereign governments in their own right) are.
And now the company's 'defense' has been revealed. Basically it is "we did it but we are not responsible".
Come on...even Perry Mason would blanch at that!
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