Dept Of The Navy

Holding the Health Dept. accountable for health in Hunters Point

The Board of Supervisors held a hearing on the ethics of DPH amid authoritative allegations of the department’s collaboration with Lennar, the City’s chosen developer for the Hunters Point Shipyard, in framing evidence to disguise unsafe levels of asbestos at the shipyard and in the surrounding area. In tandem, an investigative report has been released by the Civil Grand Jury on the HPS project. This coupling of events has breathed new-found life, focus and attention on the HPS project and its effect on public health.

“It don’t take a whole cupful of asbestos,” said Hunters Point resident Vivian Donahue. “It takes one, one particle to come down into your lungs.” She testified she suffers from chronic headaches and her grandson from nosebleeds she attributes to toxic dust blowing from the shipyard, a half block from her home.

“We have been to the health department, and they tell us that it’s nothing wrong with us, and we know we’re sick,” she said, implying a condescending attitude and lack of genuine concern by City officials.

The residents of Bayview Hunters Point know the shipyard’s history all too well. Tending to ubiquitous nosebleeds and carrying large inhalers around, they can hardly be allowed to forget. The HPS had been a naval base from 1941 to 1974. Following that, the land was leased out to the Triple A Machine Shop.

Some of the shipyard’s most dangerous contamination occurred when the Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory was located there, decontaminating warships that had been exposed to atomic bomb blasts and conducting experiments on the effects of radiation on live organisms, including people and animals, and materials.

The site received a second course of abuse at the hands of the Triple A Machine Shop, which was found guilty of storing and disposing of hazardous compounds on shipyard land. In 1989, the mostly abandoned shipyard, now a wasteland, was named as one of the nation’s worst toxic sites by its inclusion in the federal government’s National Priorities List. In 1991, its role as an active naval base was officially ended, but the Navy remained responsible for cleanup.

In contrast with DPH contentions that nearby residents have nothing to worry about from shipyard contamination, DPH Director Mitch Katz noted in a 2006 report quoted by the Civil Grand Jury that the HPS “was placed on the federal government’s National Priorities List as one of the nation’s worst toxic sites and parts of the shipyard remain contaminated and unusable because of chemical pollution, radioactive waste, and neglect.

The Department of the Navy files trademark for "SEAL Team ...

A recent trademark filing from Disney for SEAL Team 6 was reported by MediaBistro on May 13.  The story sparked interest and news stories internationally.  

There was speculation among journalists and bloggers about Disney’s plans for the trademark.  The applications range from clothing and toys to entertainment and education products.

However, Disney’s trademark applications may not be as solid as many first thought. 

The same day the story broke that Disney filed three separate trademarks for the phrase SEAL Team 6, The Department of the Navy followed suit by filing for a trademark on SEAL Team.  

The filings are different, but the Navy is definitely taking notice. 

Quick Recap of Events

Osama bin Laden is killed on May 1 by SEAL Team 6.

Disney files trademark applications for SEAL Team 6 on May 3.

On May 13, Media Bistro breaks the news of the Disney filings.

Later that day (on May 13), The Dept. of the Navy files for a trademark on SEAL Team.

Register of commissioned and warrant officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps and reserve officers on active duty

Annual reports of the Navy Department, Report of the Secretary of the Navy. Miscellaneous reports

Allied landing craft of World War Two

A report to the Navy department of the United States, on American coals applicable to steam navigation, and to other purposes

Report