Tuesday, December 21, 2010
ALBANY ONCE AGAIN IN
EMBRACE OF WHITE DEATH
We continuously read and hear that
our local and state governments are
in deep debt, and ordinary citizens
are hard pressed financially.
Well then, why are tons of road salt
being dumped on local streets, county
and state highways and shopping center
parking lots?
Where are all the environmentalists
who wring their hands over global
warming?
Where are all the health care advocates?
Where are the economists?
Where are the media? The ordinary
people?
Are all blind to the harm that this
excessive seasonal ritual of salt dumping
is doing to our transportation infra-
structure, our costly vehicles, our water
supplies, our homes and buildings, the
air we breath, to roadside trees, and
to our own health?
There is more salt residue on roadways
sidewalks, driveways, parking lots than
snow.
I know, some will argue that road salt
contributes to road and pedestrian
safety. To some degree, yes.
What about states that do not participate
in this seasonal road salt dumping mania?
How do people in those states survive?
How about New York drivers slowing
down in bad weather?
I say that the evironmental damage
economic costs and health impacts of
these annual road salt dumping binges
far outweigh any benefit.
For days Albany has been submerged
in a dense blanket of airborne road salt.
Doesn't anyone feel the sting of that
salt smog, in their nasal passages, throats
and lungs?
Doesn't anyone notice the deterioration
of road surfaces, bridges, and parking lots
due to excessive salt dumping?
Doesn't anyone look at the dying road
side trees?
Doesn't anyone look at their vehicles
and tires and wonder how long those
vehicles will last, and where will they
get the money to replace them?
Do any health care professionals observe
the smog containing a mix of airborne
road salt , vehicle and chimney emissions
and ponder the adverse impacts to human
health?
How about vetinarians? Don't they
wonder about the adverse effects on
pets? On farm animals?
Consider this: if people with high
blood pressure are advised to limit
their salt intake - does this mean they
should stop breathing?
If it were sugar, instead of road salt
dumped - would we have an out of
control epidemic of diabetes among
humans and pets?
Exercise? Going outdoors, this time
of year, poses downright health risks
to people and their pets, in urban
places.
Tonight, I drove my dogs to places
where they could run in the snow
avoiding the excessive road salt dumped
on streets and sidewalks.
But, we could not avoid breathing the
salt- vehicle-chimney emission laden
smog.
As I stood on my front porch, I could
hear a man gagging and coughing about
a half a block away. Finally, he came
into view, walking his loyal dog out of
a side street and across New Scotland
Avenue.
I wanted to call out to him and say
be sure to wash your pal's paws in warm
water, when you get home. Otherwise,
your pal runs the risk of kidney damage
from licking his salt encrustred paws.
But, I said nothing, thinking of Charles
Darwin and his theory of survival of the
fittest.
Modern humans have lost their survival
instincts and powers of observation and
analysis.
Saving the world is a tall order. A
Chinese proverb says- a long journey
begins with a single step- so, saving the
world begins with each individual
doing their best to save themselves
and their loved ones.
As much as big government seeks to
control every aspect of our lives, do
not look to politicians to save you.
They just don't get it.
The exessive dumping of road, with
all it's adverse environmental, economic
and health impacts is exhibit A.
You are on your own. Just pay your
taxes and vote the party line.
Joe Sullivan
posted by J P Sullivan
8:22 PM
http://bpcnanews.blogspot.com/
Monday, December 27, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
DECEMBER 7 THEN AND NOW
69 years ago this date Pearl Harbor was
attacked. I recall that day as if it were
yesterday. This morning I reflected on
what life was like then and what it is like
now. The differences are striking.
Then, we were just emerging from the Great
Depression. Some say the war was a catalyst
for the economic prosperity which followed
in the late 1940's and early 1950's following
the war.
But, on that cold December day in 1941 the
people feared for their survival because we
realized that America was no longer insulated
from attack by the vast oceans separating us
from Europe and Asia.
We did not have television, but relied on
radio, newspapers, conversation and letters
fo get the news.
German submarines were offshore. The people
feared attacks on the homeland were soon to
become reality. We had air raid drills, air raid
wardens patroled the streets ensuring that all
house lights were out after sunset.
America and Americans were very different
then as compared to now.
Family and neighbors were immigrants or
children of immigrants who came to America
for a better life. All were proud of their
respective heritages, but all were Americans.
We pulled together because our survival was
on the line, as a nation, as individuals, as
families.
We were poor, but we had the resources
and labor to build a mighty manufacturing
base to sustain the war effort. Today, many
of our resources have been depleted, our
manufacturing base can not support a
war effort. Our population, though larger
now, is not fit to go to war or to work in
manufacturing and physical jobs even if
those opportunities existed.
Then America could sustain a huge war
effort on two fronts, the Pacific and Europe.
Today, we are not prepared to do that.
The Homefront has become a front line
a third front in our struggle for survival.
Politicians at the federal, state and local
levels have failed to secure our borders, ports
transportation and utility lines.
The Americans of that time were united in
a love of country. Today, we are a deeply
divided nation. Young against old, private
sector against public sector, black against
white, female against male, poor against
wealthy. Democrat against Republican.
The divisions obscure the reality that we
are interdependent in our struggle to survive.
Demographics of immigration have changed.
Many are not proud to be Americans. They
do not wish to assimilate.
Our land has been invaded by tens of millions
of illegal aliens, many of whom are bent on
our destruction. Federal, state and local
politicians give these illegals sanctuary and
advocate amnesty.
Our urban places are inhabited by native
born malcontents, gang bangers, drug dealers
as well as illegals, who are the natural allies of
the foreign terrorists who seek to destroy
America.
Diversity is glorified by politicians who fail
to realize that, as President Lincoln said
during the Civil War "a house divided can
not stand''.
The 9-11 attacks marked the beginning of
WW III. Because of the aforementioned
changing circumstances, the survival of
America and all Americans are on the line.
Sadly, most Americans, the younger generations
in particular, are oblivious to this reality as
they go about their daily lives in quest of more
stuff. They may have computers and the latest
technological gadgets, dirt bikes, cars and tons
of stuff. But, their food cubbards are empty.
They are not in good physical shape. They lack
survival perspective/skills. In short, America's
urban populations are not prepared to deal
with natural disasters, let alone military conflict
in their own homeland.
Then, our enemies wore uniforms. But they
were separated from us by two oceans. Today
they dwell amongst us. They use cunning and
guile to disarm and dellude us, waiting for the
signal to strike. They do not wear uniforms or
ride down the roads in tanks. They use our own
technology against us; aircraft, power grids
nuclear power plants. Biological and chemical
warfare.
We are at War with a devious, determined
enemy. Our media and politicians are in
denial. They fail in their responsibities to
inform and protect us, and themselves. As
a result the people are unaware and not
ready for what lies ahead.
Everyone seems to be focused on the economy
anddomestic issues.
Security and public safety are the priorities.
For, when we are not safe, nothing else will
stand.
Wise up! Wake up! Fellow Americans, before it
is too late!
Become better informed; better prepared and
participate in the effort to save America, our
Constitution, our government, ourselves and
our loved ones.
Approach Hanukkah, Christmas, the New Year
and each day of your lives, keeping in mind the
old Irish proverb "live each day as if it were your
last...and one day you will be spot on"
Joe Sullivan
69 years ago this date Pearl Harbor was
attacked. I recall that day as if it were
yesterday. This morning I reflected on
what life was like then and what it is like
now. The differences are striking.
Then, we were just emerging from the Great
Depression. Some say the war was a catalyst
for the economic prosperity which followed
in the late 1940's and early 1950's following
the war.
But, on that cold December day in 1941 the
people feared for their survival because we
realized that America was no longer insulated
from attack by the vast oceans separating us
from Europe and Asia.
We did not have television, but relied on
radio, newspapers, conversation and letters
fo get the news.
German submarines were offshore. The people
feared attacks on the homeland were soon to
become reality. We had air raid drills, air raid
wardens patroled the streets ensuring that all
house lights were out after sunset.
America and Americans were very different
then as compared to now.
Family and neighbors were immigrants or
children of immigrants who came to America
for a better life. All were proud of their
respective heritages, but all were Americans.
We pulled together because our survival was
on the line, as a nation, as individuals, as
families.
We were poor, but we had the resources
and labor to build a mighty manufacturing
base to sustain the war effort. Today, many
of our resources have been depleted, our
manufacturing base can not support a
war effort. Our population, though larger
now, is not fit to go to war or to work in
manufacturing and physical jobs even if
those opportunities existed.
Then America could sustain a huge war
effort on two fronts, the Pacific and Europe.
Today, we are not prepared to do that.
The Homefront has become a front line
a third front in our struggle for survival.
Politicians at the federal, state and local
levels have failed to secure our borders, ports
transportation and utility lines.
The Americans of that time were united in
a love of country. Today, we are a deeply
divided nation. Young against old, private
sector against public sector, black against
white, female against male, poor against
wealthy. Democrat against Republican.
The divisions obscure the reality that we
are interdependent in our struggle to survive.
Demographics of immigration have changed.
Many are not proud to be Americans. They
do not wish to assimilate.
Our land has been invaded by tens of millions
of illegal aliens, many of whom are bent on
our destruction. Federal, state and local
politicians give these illegals sanctuary and
advocate amnesty.
Our urban places are inhabited by native
born malcontents, gang bangers, drug dealers
as well as illegals, who are the natural allies of
the foreign terrorists who seek to destroy
America.
Diversity is glorified by politicians who fail
to realize that, as President Lincoln said
during the Civil War "a house divided can
not stand''.
The 9-11 attacks marked the beginning of
WW III. Because of the aforementioned
changing circumstances, the survival of
America and all Americans are on the line.
Sadly, most Americans, the younger generations
in particular, are oblivious to this reality as
they go about their daily lives in quest of more
stuff. They may have computers and the latest
technological gadgets, dirt bikes, cars and tons
of stuff. But, their food cubbards are empty.
They are not in good physical shape. They lack
survival perspective/skills. In short, America's
urban populations are not prepared to deal
with natural disasters, let alone military conflict
in their own homeland.
Then, our enemies wore uniforms. But they
were separated from us by two oceans. Today
they dwell amongst us. They use cunning and
guile to disarm and dellude us, waiting for the
signal to strike. They do not wear uniforms or
ride down the roads in tanks. They use our own
technology against us; aircraft, power grids
nuclear power plants. Biological and chemical
warfare.
We are at War with a devious, determined
enemy. Our media and politicians are in
denial. They fail in their responsibities to
inform and protect us, and themselves. As
a result the people are unaware and not
ready for what lies ahead.
Everyone seems to be focused on the economy
anddomestic issues.
Security and public safety are the priorities.
For, when we are not safe, nothing else will
stand.
Wise up! Wake up! Fellow Americans, before it
is too late!
Become better informed; better prepared and
participate in the effort to save America, our
Constitution, our government, ourselves and
our loved ones.
Approach Hanukkah, Christmas, the New Year
and each day of your lives, keeping in mind the
old Irish proverb "live each day as if it were your
last...and one day you will be spot on"
Joe Sullivan
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