Friday, April 22, 2011

Earth Day Is Just Another Holiday For Polluters In Wisconsin

Earth Day, 2011, is just another day of willfully polluting Wisconsin waters, as Gov. Scott Walker continues to bar implementation of a rule written collaboratively among many stakeholders to keep algae from choking the state's rivers, lakes and streams.

There's a great collection of reporting, testimonials, video, and documentation proving that fetid algae blooms are bad for Wisconsin businesses - - check out the series on the website of the River Alliance of Wisconsin - -  and predictions that his actions risk more stringent enforcement from outside, federal officials who are legally-bound to enforce the US Clean Water Act.

But as he did with high-speed rail, and wind farms, and transit system aids, and recycling, Walker says "no."

He's talking about a two-year delay in phosphorus controls. He must assume our attention span is as short as is his. I wonder if the Village of Maple Bluff will let the algae wash up below the Governor's Mansion on Lake Mendota and let the chief executive breath deeply his folly.

It may have no effect, as he was content to let Bradford Beach in Milwaukee go to hell until private donors and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District found the funding to rake the beaches and stop Walker's County government from continuing to let polluted stormwater from Lake Park run through the County's pipes right on to the sand and the shallow water.

Walker's one-dimensional behavior when it comes to the environment - - "No" - - comes about because he listens first to the largest of the corporate interests who funded his campaign and who pour money into the far-right advocacy groups and institutions that support him: the highway lobby, the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, and the builders - - from which, no surprise, have come several top appointees to the Department of Natural Resources.

Walker has done this, and will do more to extinguish Wisconsin's environmental leadership  while repeating that "Wisconsin is open for business."

As if there is a hostile divide between jobs and a clean environment, between clean air and water, and a growing economy, that requires redefining the DNR as pro-business.

It will take nothing less than the successful recall and ouster at the polls of this radical governor who is light years away from the legacy of Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day's founder, and from mainstream Wisconsin conservation thinking, to remove the his cynicism from the land and the body politic.

Here's hoping for a brighter, cleaner, and more honest, Walker-free Earth Day, 2012 in Wisconsin [Granted, delays in a successful recall process would push that to 2013, but we might know by Earth Day 2012 if enough valid signatures were filed].

9 comments:

  1. CHEERS! Well put!

    Happy EARTH DAY!

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  2. gaylord nelson and scott walker- the two ends of the integrity scale.

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  3. To celebrate Earth day, I'll start by taking a 45 minute shower. Then while I am at church I will most likely let my car idle in the parking lot. When I get home I'll turn on the AC and open the windows so I can smell my lawn mower and snow blower which are running in the front yard.

    I better remember to keep the sprinklers far enough away from the house to make sure they don't spray water through those windows.

    Then for fun tonight I might go up to the cabin and cut down a tree or two. Afterward, I'll simply throw my bottles in with the regular garbage.

    Happy Easter!

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  4. Reagan's Disciple:

    Never confuse your yourself with Jesus's disciple, despite your attendance at church.

    I don't believe you'll really DO the things you said, but on Good Friday and Easter weekend, when Christianity is all about forgiveness and sacrifice, you post this message--merely to aggravate--on a blog that you know to be frequented by environmentalists, conservationists and progressive activists. Why are you so full of hate and meanness? If you disagree with anyone, just leave them alone. You do your cause no good, and you alone will have to live with your nasty words and deeds. You can take a 45-minute or an hour shower and the dirt will still not rinse off.

    Perhaps you've inhaled too many diesel fumes already.

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  5. Do you really think I was watering my lawn with the snow blower running in the front yard and the windows open?

    Put down your green tea, kick off your Birkenstocks, kick up your feet and exhale. It was a joke. (just like that last line)

    There is no hate or meanness in me at all. I have a wonderful family, kids and believe in Christ as my Savior. It is called having a bit of a sense of humor, which many people are lacking. Meanness would be more like telling someone that "the dirt will not rinse off." no matter how long they shower.

    Furthermore, I frequent the blog because I appreciate James writing and alternative perspective (Even though I find it quite the opposite of mine most of the time) Do I poke a stick now and then, sure. However it is all meant in the spirit of fun.

    Ask yourself this, have you ever seen a personal attack on anyone from me? Calling anyone names? Belittling the author or other posters?

    Now I'll have to make the shower last 1 hour and use plenty of soap and detergents so I will be sure to "rinse all the dirt off."

    Happy Easter.

    PS. I don't like diesel, I prefer to run my car on wind power.

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  6. It's notable that no one in the Walker administration took notice of Earth Day -- not even a press release to recognize that we are a in and of the environment. Very sad.

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  7. Do you really think I was watering my lawn with the snow blower running in the front yard and the windows open? [didn't say that]

    Put down your green tea, [don't drink it] kick off your Birkenstocks, [don't wear them] kick up your feet and exhale. It was a joke. (just like that last line)

    There is no hate or meanness in me at all. [according to you] I have a wonderful family, kids and believe in Christ as my Savior. [bully for you] It is called having a bit of a sense of humor, which many people are lacking. [thanks for the explanation. I get it that you think I'm humorless. Do you understand how making those comments on this blog on Earth Day and Easter weekend might not be perceived as all that hilarious--esp when you're quite upfront about your opposing viewpoint?] Meanness would be more like telling someone that "the dirt will not rinse off." no matter how long they shower. [Hey! I was just kidding! Just like you were!]

    Furthermore, I frequent the blog because I appreciate James writing and alternative perspective (Even though I find it quite the opposite of mine most of the time) Do I poke a stick now and then, sure. However it is all meant in the spirit of fun. [yuk, yuk, yuk! That's a common passive-aggressive technique: say something snarky and when called on it, "It was only a joke!"]

    Ask yourself this, have you ever seen a personal attack on anyone from me? [not that I can remember, but then it's not my job to keep track of you.] Calling anyone names? Belittling the author or other posters? [weren't you the one who made fun of Ramona Kitzinger for clarifying her remarks? how about labeling JoAnne Kloppenberg a fool for asking for a recount?]

    OK, OK. So you're not the worst offender to wander in here. This exchange is beginning to bore me when there are so many substantive issues we could be discussing.

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  8. Simple, then don't respond.

    I don't believe I ever said anything about Ramona, perhaps just that the union bosses may have gotten too her? My comments about Joan was that she looked foolish claiming victory with a 200 count lead and then asking for a recount when trailing by 7300 because it is just too close. BTW - She does.

    Off too the dump to go turn in some paint & chemicals... ehhh... maybe it would be easier to just go pour it in the wetlands out back.

    If you are bored, simply don't respond rather than micro-analyzing my posts by [bracketing] responses inside all of my comments.

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  9. I guess now, if you do not bow down to the eco-gods of liberalism regarding the environment, you are full of hate. Funny, how to eco-nut, they care more about the earth than an aborted baby. Talk about screwed up priorities.

    I have no problem with "Earth Day" or people who fell the need to "Hug a tree", or people who want to live a more eco lifestyle. But please, just leave me alone and do not lecture me about the kind of car/truck I drive, how much electricity I use of the kind of light blub I buy.

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