Train tracks run beside the metro tracks at the end of our parking area, and pretty soon this morning, I'll hear a long freight train rumble past. The cars will be loaded with COAL, and they'll be on their way to the power plant that heats the buildings of the U.S. Congress. Imagine trying to get Congress to get rid of coal power! Mentally, they're still using candles & kerosene lanterns to illuminate their proceedings. (Thanks to Juan Cole for this and related information today.)
It's hard not to be discouraged. I like Juan Cole, too. But why does it seem that no amount of protest makes any difference, and things just get worse and worse?
ReplyDeleteBecause nobody is paying attention to what we say, and it seems clear they've never intended to do anything but what THEY want once they get in office. We've been down this road before, sadly. I remember when Barry Goldwater and LBJ were running. Goldwater lost because people were afraid he'd take us into war with Vietnam. And then what did LBJ do? Or Ronald Reagan. He denounced deficit spending until we believed him. And then what did he do after he got into office? Raised the deficit!! And don't get me started on Bush 1 & 2. Or Clinton and his DOMA and welfare cutting.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is, we're now a 3rd world country in many respects, and the Repugs just keep wanting less and less of all the good things government can do. If you really want to break your heart, read all the things Mexico does for its citizens, especially if they're poor. We are totally ignorant of the rest of the world's accomplishments in this respect.
Oy....
Those coal trains end up at the power plant at New Jersey and E Streets SE, which is only a 15 minute walk from my house. So all the soot and polutants likely drift our way and into other surrounding neighborhoods. One of my neighbors, who works a the Sierra Club, has been getting the word out about the slow converson of this plant to natural gas. http://dc.sierraclub.org/news/detail.asp?ID=325
Deletemy goodness....that IS right by your house!! How worrisome!! I used to get a good snootful of the pollution from the plant in Anacostia when I lived in Georgetown. My lungs have recovered somewhat now that I'm out of the path of that dark cloud.
ReplyDelete