Papered Over
(Oct. 22, 2009) Editor:
If “Pass me a Tissue” (Oct. 15) was meant to be reporting it was seriously lacking. It quoted no other source but Simpson and Didion. It asked no hard questions.
Simpson has yet to provide a detailed plan as to how the new plant will be environmentally friendly. Yet people are willing to believe him on faith.
The plant is purportedly going to be carbon-neutral. They will neutralize the carbon footprint globally by creating electricity. This doesn’t mean it won’t produce carbon emissions.
None of his claims address the question of pollution exposure on workers and nearby residents. What about emissions such as hexavalent chromium, mercury, lead, benzene and arsenic? Mills increase the cancer rates of workers and nearby residents, period. If we allow the mill to exceed legal limits again, then the rate will increase further.
The silence surrounding the issue terrifies me. Without a questioning populace, the most egregious abuses are possible. This is not hypothetical; it is historical. In the past, the local media has sacrificed its journalistic integrity. The local air board gave Evergreen variances, allowing them to exceed EPA limits. Then Tsang left his workers in the lurch. He who abuses the environment will abuse workers. I picture Tsang sitting on some island beach drinking cocktails laughing at us for being so naïve.
I am not comparing Simpson to Tsang. But have we not learned our lesson? It is our responsibility to ask questions, so the abuses of the past will not be repeated.
Leila Binder, Eureka
→ post a comment
seven-o-heaven
Old Town Arcata
Will Plaza Point put the kibosh on Arcata whippersnapper shenanigans?
Today
Label GMOs Signature Gathering Training
meetings / 4 p.m. Sun Yi's Academy of Tae Kwon Do, 1215 Giuntoli Lane, Arcata. Help gather valid signatures to get the 'California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act' on the 2012 ballot. E-mail northernhumboldtlabelgmos@hotmail.com. 223-0424.
Open Celtic Music Session
music / 3 p.m. Cafe Veritas/Mosgo's, 180 Westwood Center, Arcata. Informal monthly gathering of musicians playing Irish and other Celtic music. Hosted by Seabury Gould. seaburygould.com. 845-8167.
Nonviolence Action Camp
etc. / 10 a.m. Chinmaya Mission near Piercy. Weekend-long direct action orientation features workshops, role playing, seminars, ceremonies and field trips. Bring food, bedding, warm clothes, signs, banners, bikes, drums, acoustic instruments. Pre-register. saverichardsongrove.org. 932-5898.
Audubon Society Field Trip
outdoors / 9 a.m. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta. Meet at Refuge Visitor Center off Hookton Road. Leisurely, two- to three-hour trip intended for people wanting to learn birds of Humboldt Bay area. 822-3613.
More →
0 Comments