by Doug Hatchimonji Hamilton
As Senator Tim Sheehy targets Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) for an Inspector General investigation, he and we should remember the lesson of NASA’s Apollo 13 – a “successful failure.”
Some of us may have experienced Apollo 13 in real time and others from the Tom Hanks movie of the same name. In April 1970, halfway on its journey to the moon the spacecraft experienced an on-board explosion: “Okay Houston, we’ve had a problem here.” Solving life-threatening problem after problem, the NASA team safely returned its astronauts to Earth. Apollo 13 is called a “successful failure” because the mission is celebrated as a monumental triumph of human ingenuity, crisis management and teamwork.
In May, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) confirmed two incidents of possible exposure to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever at RML. According to the NIH, “Established procedures for transport, patient care, waste handling, testing and safety were followed by all involved, from lab staff and agency safety and health support to hospital care team and medical specialists. At no time was there any evidence of disease transmission or infection, nor was there ever any risk to staff, caregivers, or the public.” In other words, it was a “successful failure.”
In every field of human endeavor failure happens. RML had a “successful failure”, because the team there knows what it’s doing. Our community ought to recognize, appreciate, support and applaud that rare commodity – competency.
Our community ought to stand against – and vote against – ignorant, irresponsible, headline seeking politicians, like Senator Sheehy’s colleague, Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, who said, “We need to stop any funding of batty research before it causes another pandemic.”
If they wish to be serious and responsible, Senator Sheehy and Senator Ernst would personally visit RML and meet the people who work there, as I was recently privileged to do during a community liaison meeting. They would learn what professionalism, deep scientific knowledge, competency and an abiding dedication to humanity looks like.
Let’s support our friends and neighbors working at RML and stand against politicians trying to gain more cheap political points.
Frank says
So now we know that Obama funded 120 biolabs in 30 different countries that were working on god knows what plus gain of function research. AND we know that Dr. Fauci (Dr. Bloom’s former boss and I’ll presume his mentor) is directly and personally responsible for the deaths of millions with the “oppsie” of his pet project in China. AND we know that we have scientists from our own lab behaving in a criminal fashion. I’m sorry, but the corrupt liberal administrations before Trump and the arrogant “medical research” organizations still operating today, must be investigated. They screwed up big time and have lost all credibility.
Kevin says
RML is an intended conspicuous operation. God only knows what they transport in or out of the facility or up and down Highway 93. Sheep Creek Mine is a Safe House compared to this potential environmental hazard. At least the two Senators mentioned, stood up taking Oath on protecting American Citizens as their main priority of office.
Sue says
How many times has a biosafety leak at RML caused any kind of health crisis in the Bitterroot? Zero.
How many times has mining in Montana created an environmental disaster with tangible public health risks that then had to be cleaned up at taxpayers’ expense? Hint: it’s way more than zero.
But keep believing the lies our GOP “leaders” have nothing better to do than hype up for political gain.
Gomez says
Sue. Thank you for saying this.
Kevin says
We will never be informed. Covid was tested and played with @ RML before Fauci told a Bat story.
WMA says
How do you know, Kevin?
Tracy says
No one is “targeting” RML. The two that have been investigated did some things wrong that had the potential to cause harm to citizens. I dont think a thorough investigation is “TARGETING”
Tom potts says
The scientests were wrong to import the viruses the way they did, but they were deactitivated and not contagious. Deactivated viruses are used in research to fight diseases.
Sheep Creek should likewise be deactivated so it is not a threat.