What’s Goin’ On - RT Roundup 7/23/08
While everyone’s recovering from being RT ambassadors to Netroots Nation, or other life craziness, we bring you your semi-daily fix of local news, with a progressive candy coating:
- Did anyone lose power in the storm last night? We did, and so did at least 1300 other RG&E customers. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone around here was able to generate their own power through renewable energy like solar panels, wind generators, etc.? A little incubation here, a little rebate there, and you’d have yourself a nice little renewable economy around here.
- A D&C LTE urges Monroe county and other local governments to stop harming the environment (humans included) by spraying pesticides & herbicides:
Curtail use of harmful pesticides
We do need a change in the mind-set of individuals, true environmental stewardship and a commitment to long-term behavioral changes at all levels of government (July 9 editorial “America’s greening”). Included in these changes would be the cessation of spraying with herbicides or pesticides by any government.
Monroe County completed a stint of roadside spraying last week, using glyphosate, Oust and Garlon 3A. One or more of these may cause eye and skin irritation, blurred vision, nausea, sore throat, asthma, nosebleeds and dizziness.
Laboratory tests have shown genetic damage in human cells and in laboratory animals, as well as anemia, atrophied testicles and testicular lesions, damage to kidneys, reproductive problems and increased incidence of fetal loss, breast cancer, lymphoma and genetic damage. Contamination of wells and waterways and damage to fish and frogs have all been documented.
The beautiful article, “Beckoning the butterflies,” (Living section, July 12) told us to avoid pesticides — even organic — because they will kill the butterflies. We urge the county, town and state governments to follow this advice.
- Pretty good D&C editorial on Iraq withdrawal:
While Obama’s take on the war and withdrawal seems to coincide not only with Iraqi desires but recent statements by the Bush administration, presumptive Republican nominee John McCain seems about the only pure war hawk left in Washington.
He continues to leave the impression that American troops should remain until an as-yet undefined victory is achieved. The military doesn’t want that, and the American public has said time and again it doesn’t want that. But McCain continues to tilt at the no-surrender windmill.
Cue frothing, wild-eyed right-wing commenters (”Surrender monkeys!!!!!! Gaaaaaaa!!!”)
- Another D&C editorial, praising Mayor Duffy for giving up his taxpayer-paid car and requiring other city staffers to do the same. This will help everyone get on the same page, and share the pain. Can you imagine the outcry if Maggie Brooks asked Monroe County employees to do the same? Something tells me it would make the East Rochester GOP’s antics seem tame by comparison.
- Oh, and that same editorial gets a little TOO excited about the Monroe County Water Authority absorbing the Rochester city water system. Given the corruption and lack of oversight at the MCWA, I’d be super nervous about that happening. This D&C commenter gives even more reason to be wary:
WATCH for the Monroe County Water authority to take over the city water service….GOODBYE, pristine lakes, the water authority knows that the city if in a financial bind, so the timing is right to take over the water supply lakes. Hello to wealthy downstate NYC residents buying and building on these lakes.Maybe the retiring Bruno will have his summer home here? Could the deal be that the water authority would finally appoint dems to the board? We don’t need Lieberman democrats on the board.
Board members should be ALL independents with a Serria CLub member and a Genesee Land Trust rep. Now wouldn’t that be a hoot!A hoot? Or just a really good idea?
- Maffei, apparently psychically knowing that I would write about a renewable energy economy in the news roundup, unveiled his economic plan yesterday. From WXXI:
Part of Maffei’s three-point plan focuses on renewable energy. The Democratic contender for New York’s 25th district wants to promote green technology in the region to address the energy crisis and create jobs. For example, he says there should be tax incentives to encourage companies to build windmills and develop bio-diesel fuels.
Maffei discussed his plan at an abandoned parking lot on Lake Avenue opposite Kodak Park.
Maffei also wants to change the tax code to encourage companies to invest in the US rather than facilitating the transfer of jobs overseas.
- Here’s another reason why we need government regulations, people. When business & other entities pollute because it’s cheaper and there’s no regulations against it, the resulting mess is a huge barrier to future economic development. Take this new development proposed in Irondequoit, for example:
The developer of Lighthouse Pointe shared designs of the $200 million project that would be built on the Irondequoit side of the Genesee River near the port.
It would feature condos, a hotel, retail, and a marina.
One big problem is the property is a former landfill that needs massive cleanup.
- Not local, but related to the news item above– another example of de-regulation causing a big mess that makes money for a few in the short term, must be cleaned up by the rest of us, and is a barrier to future economic development:
A Bush administration plan to support Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could cost U.S. taxpayers $25 billion, congressional analysts said on Tuesday in a report that fueled debate as Congress took steps to approve a housing market rescue package.
And don’t forget, the author of John McCain’s economic policy, Phil Gramm, worked hard to remove those regulations from the financial industry. Just sayin’.
That’s all I got time for right now, what are y’all reading out there today?
Related posts:
[...] Since they can’t pass their financial mismanagement off to the schools, I guess they’re going to rely on us. But the Maggie Brooks household will still be making big bucks, and don’t forget about the county cars! [...]