Bloomington Blast?

Back in May of this year, I wrote about Divine Strake, a 700-ton ammonium nitrate and fuel oil bomb that was to be detonated near Las Vegas in June. Although the bomb itself is non-nuclear, there were concerns that it's detonation could possibly kick up radio-active debris from previous nuclear tests in that area. In addition, it would create shock waves that could be felt for over 35 miles. Ultimately, due to intense lobbying, the explosion was indefinately delayed.

I was relieved for the citizens of Nevada, as well as myself, since this explosion was due to be created just a few days before we were traveling to Vegas back in June. I certaintly wanted to come home with a healthy glow, but green just isn't one of my better colors. It turns out, however, that my relief was somewhat short-lived.

Although still under delay until sometime in 2007, it turns out that Mitchell Quarry near Bloomington, Indiana, is a possible new site for this "test". Smaller explosions have previously occurred there (In 2004 and 2005) as part of the military project named the "Tunnel Target Defeat Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration", or, in other words, "bunker buster", the idea behind the testing of Divine Strake.

Bloominton Peace Action Coalition member Timothy Baer beleives the military definately has designs on the quarry. Calling it "the largest conventional explosion ever", Baer expressed his grave concern over it's effect on the local ecosystem. "This explosion could harm the region's underlying cave system", he said. "It's likely going to do irreparable damage to karst topography".

I sincerely hope we never get to find out. And I urge Bloomington area residents to join Mayor Butch Chastain and 4th District Congressional candidate David Sanders in their fight against this project.