Commentary: Lessons to be relearned.
When the toilet backs up- well it is all over, then the clean up starts and all is forgotten. I for one, do not forget, forgive, or believe in Santa Claus. More bad news is on the way because of recent international man-made growing catastrophic events- so the ultimate question is” Are You Prepared?
Of course not! No one is. Science states that the human mind is not capable of remembering terrible events and rationalizes, discounts and forgets. Politicians know this and use it. Well not all of us forget, I remember, and read from history as well as having experienced it for over 70 years through the Great Depression, World Wars, Plagues, Major Riots, Terrorism- you name it. The toilet of life will overflow again.
Currently the Chernobyl question overflows again, the economic destabilization continues, the Mid East (oil) Liberia issue is breaking down into more war along with expected agricultural demise, stagflation, and increasing food stamp welfare of the shrinking middleclass.
We, as world citizens are caught in the paradigm of growth and the exploitation of the planet resources. The experts are always moving the doom calendar predictions further and further along the way so that you feel safe and secure-for right now. Who cares about 2020- 2050, who can think that far ahead? Our own Congress admits we cannot “see” and “plan” much more than ten years into the future. Are you planning for your late years?
There is little to nothing we can do about anything! Except perhaps to assess what threats are potentially dangerous to you and yours. However one threat leads to another and this is what we have to be aware of.
Currently the media is beating the scare drum about tsunami threats. Since we live on the east coast let us assume the Canary Island collapse near Portugal sinks into a black volcanic hole and the 300-foot wave engulfs the east coast wiping out everything for 50 miles inland.
This is a factual “maybe” from National Geographic, but unknown when.
This is just part of the threat to you sitting fat and content in your rocking chair 300 miles inland and like me: 2500’ elevation. Have you considered the mass migration of people who survive swarming up here? How about the agricultural damage? Also the economic, unbelievable impact, on us all the way around the world. Less we forget, recall the number of nuclear reactors up and down the coast. Now you have three thousand costal miles of radioactive wasteland for the next 20,000 years.
Our lead in picture of the recent nuclear horror in Japan brings to mind that the intention is to entomb it. Do you think it will last 20,000 years without cooking up to a boiling point? Unknown generations of humans and wildlife interdependent will always have radiation damage. At what point in time of millennia will our forebears do with this growing legacy? The toilet continues to overflow. How many more toilets are waiting?
Nuclear reactors, although vital at this time to produce energy is a Pandora’s Box Nightmare when it is opened. Radioactive materials change the DNA Genome in the body- if you survive at all.
No matter where we are, how safe and secure we think we are in our bomb shelter- something is going to get us. The toilet keeps bubbling over.
Has there been any long-term health issue since the Three Mile Island Necular incident? Yes! Remember the “Love Canal”? Even John Wayne was taken away by cancer caused by the US Government nuclear testing in the desert. He was our invincible hero!
Aside from natural disasters we have to ask ourselves what is the immediate threat? Will some nut job bent on going to the promised paradise make a suitcase bomb of radiation and decimate some middle size city that Homeland Security, already overstretched, can not care about, nor has the resources to monitor. How about the emergence of illegal drugs impacting society, your children and grandchildren? More mundane but important issues include taxation, eminent domain, zoning, freedom of prayer and education for normal children. The toilet keeps bubbling.
Considering the enormity and scope of potential threats we, as concerned citizens, must become involved in our small town management through discussion and community lobby. This is a good system. It is the only system that works.
However the elected county supervisor system was great in 1950 but a supervisor candidate who wants the job with all good intentions finds that they are just implementing State and Federal rules in a mountain of paper shuffling realizing they have only a titled position and not really able to do much for the community. Then again, most of the community does not attend town meetings and try to manage for the common good. People forget.
This is the fundamental breakdown of our social order- few attend town meetings and become active in local community planning. We must pose questions and become prepared.
I have often thought about the many “retired” bored ex- government, college, and other well-educated professionals out there chomping at the TV bit of frustration who have really great insight and resources to compile data that would be of value to the community through the county supervisor system.
Therefore I would suggest a voluntary “Think Tank” of these citizens who may work at no fee, solely for the benefit of the community to start the political game plans through the supervisors for the benefit of you and me.
Perhaps you have a suggestion. Post it. Bring it forward to your elected representatives.
God Bless us All,
COPYRIGHT: 2011, Back2theLand.com, Mark Steel
