Manifesto/Bio
Recent Comments
Re: “A new CO2 record”
People, whether they are elected officials or regular citizens, are remembered for both what they do and what they do not do.
When I remember President Ronald Reagan, only one thing comes to mind. When faced with the emerging HIV/AIDS crisis, he did absolutely nothing.
Just recently, the world was presented with information that the concentration of CO2 in Earth's atmosphere had reached a distressing milestone of 400 parts per million. The question I have is this: What will YOU do now?
Honestly, I contemplate environmental issues every single day and ask myself what more I can do to help. And honestly, there is not much more I can personally do. My carbon footprint is small. I have been on a self-imposed gasoline limit of 5 gallons per week for over two years.
But there are bigger questions looming right now that must take into consideration the 400 ppm milestone. In light of this milestone, considering development of new fossil fuel resources is nothing short of insane. President Obama needs to stop Keystone XL and Governor Cuomo needs to ban fracking in NY. Elected officials in general need to stop lying. There is not such thing as clean coal. Natural gas via hydrofracking or other means is not a bridge fuel to the future. Natural gas is a detour around efforts to develop and convert to renewable, sustainable and truly clean energy sources. Natural gas is also a U-turn to old thinking. Gas companies and their spokespeople in elected office repeatedly tell us we are sitting on huge reserves of cheap natural gas and this in turn leads back to thinking Americans have energy to waste.
400 ppm is serious. Elected officials and citizens must take decisive action now and demand even more action be taken by all around the world. How we respond to the news of 400 ppm will decide what type of future Earth will have...or whether we have a future.
Re: “The Hemlock-Canadice balancing act”
Another odd statement from an elected official. OK, so it is nice Mayor Richards beleive no fracking should take place in the Hemlock-Canadice State Forest, but what is up with the idea that high levels of protection could interfere with with routine maintenance?
I just do not trust Mayor Richards or anyone else who wants to leave some loose ends in the management plan to allow for maintenance. It sounds to me many people want some doors (loopholes) left open for something (development??) to happen in the future.
Everyone who attended the Springwater public meeting was fully aware of the need for maintencance and things like erosion protection, but all this can be put in writing....JUST PUT IT IN WRITING right along side all the very clear and specific protections the public is demanding. It is really simple, but pliticians do not like simple.
Re: “Court says communities can ban drilling”
It seems humans are prone to losing their common sense. We either do not spend enough time noticing or understanding what is going on around us or we simply let ourselves say it does not matter.
Common sense tells me hydrofracking, when fully explained and understood, could not possibly take place anywhere. Surely, people would just say NO before it had a chance to get started. Fracking uses up millions of gallons of water and injects toxic chemicals into the ground....GAME OVER, right? But wait, there's more. JOBS! Economic prosperity will come to regions of poverty. Employed people spending their wealth means success and growth for businesses. The only loser is Earth.
There are examples besides hydrofracking. Back in 1938 a patent was issued for a new process meant to ensure coal mines shored up with wood could withstand the test of time. Pressure treated lumber was born. It almost makes sense that in the dark, dangerous depths of the coal mine, the combination of arsenic, copper and chomium did not seem much like an added threat. But soon, the toxic poison arsenic made a leap into the light...your new backyard deck, your garden shed, your picnic table and your child's jungle gym were all nearly indestructable and would last an eternity. All this time people knew that the pressure treated wood contained arsenic and no one set off the alarm bells. How could this be? How could we invite a toxic poison into our homes, yards and families?
It is happening again with hydrofracking. Concerned citizens are asking why fracking is being considered in New York. Some did not have the chance to ask this question before fracking was already in their neighborhoods. It seems we truly never learn from history. It seems common sense loses to the power of corporations and the greed of individuals. How many times must we suffer the consequences of our own making? How many times will we acquiesce because we still believe government and corporations are doing the right thing.
Common sense, history and science all say NO to fracking. What do you say?
Re: “Hemlock-Canadice plan not clear enough on drilling”
OMG...after the public meeting in Springwater and 400 comments , the state thinks they only need to clarify their intention not to drill on the land??? The intention was perfectly clear from the beginning and thats why people reacted so strongly.
Just put it in writing that oil and gas drilling for forever prohibited/banned on this land. It's that simple and will never be any need to clarify intentions again.
Re: “EPA critical of Keystone XL review”
The project is only vital for a more rapid decay of our environment.
Re: “Is support for gun control slipping?”
The majority already speaks in the fact that 80% of us do NOT own guns. And yes, we need gun control. The idea that these laws only inconvenience law abiding citizens just isn't true. There are plenty of non-criminals who are stupid and careless and in need of control. The mother of the Sandy Hook shooter was not a criminal, but she sure was stupid and careless to continue to have guns in a home with a mentally ill son.
Re: “Rochester's poisoned past”
The legacy of corporations doing the wrong thing.