Dear Neighbors: Hello. Hi. How are you? I'm fine. Well, actually, that's a lie. I am not fine. I am enraged. I am livid. I am ready to freak the fuck out. Why? Because we're in the midst of the worst drought in California history , and you won't stop watering your fucking lawns.
Years ago, someone wrote into the local paper (this is in SW Ontario) scolding the locals for not watering their lawns in a severe summer drought. The letter was written by an ex-pat who had moved to California, and boasted of how they always watered their lawns, no matter what. I wrote a response which pointed out that we actually were living within the limits of our watershed, and when it ran low, we made do, rather than stealing from others' watersheds. It made me feel good but I doubt it had any impact on that asshole.
Racism? That never entered my mind, seeing this more as a commentary on corporate greed (Nestle) and a foolish use of an essential resource. We don't need single use, disposable bottled water. The amount of plastic that we generate and throw away should concern everyone. This has nothing to do with Native Americans.
As with any complex issue, there are no simple solutions or answers. I live right next door to the Navajo Nation (the largest reservation in the world). I live and work with Navajo people and am well acquainted with the unique issues indigenous peoples face, particularly with regard to the resources that exist on the lands we have "given" them. In the case of the Navajo, they have been burned very badly by white people who "helped" them earn some money from their resources. Several potential super fund cleanup sites exist now on the Nation from abandoned uranium mines - contaminated areas that are toxic and dangerous and are making people sick. Rich deposits of coal exist on the Navajo Nation, as do a number of power plants. The Navajo do not own the land and can not sell the coal, but they ARE able to tax mining and production of electricity - only to have the power sent to Vegas or Phoenix and leave the poisoned air and water behind, while many Navajo homes near the power plants are themselves without modern conveniences such as electricity and plumbing. So in answer to FrankFuror - son, corporations do not always have the best interests of native peoples at heart. And never call me racist.
"At the World Water Forum in 2000, Nestlé successfully lobbied to stop water from being declared a universal right -- declaring open hunting season on our local water resources by the multinational corporations looking to control them. For Nestlé, this means billions of dollars in profits. For us, it means paying up to 2,000 percent more for drinking water because it comes from a plastic bottle.
Now, in countries around the world, Nestl&eacute; is promoting bottled water as a status symbol. As it pumps out fresh water at high volume, water tables lower and local wells become degraded. Safe water becomes a privilege only affordable for the wealthy.&quot; <a href="http://action.storyofstuff...." target="_blank">" rel="nofollow noopener" title="http://action.storyofstuff.org/sign/nestle_water_...">http://action.storyofstuff....
If that makes you mad, you&#039;re going to hate this:
&quot;CABAZON &ndash; Among the windmills and creosote bushes of San Gorgonio Pass, a nondescript beige building stands flanked by water tanks. A sign at the entrance displays the logo of Arrowhead 100% Mountain Spring Water, with water flowing from a snowy mountain. Semi-trucks rumble in and out through the gates, carrying load after load of bottled water.
The plant, located on the Morongo Band of Mission Indians&#039; reservation, has been drawing water from wells alongside a spring in Millard Canyon for more than a decade. But as California&#039;s drought deepens, some people in the area question how much water the plant is bottling and whether it&#039;s right to sell water for profit in a desert region where springs are rare and underground aquifers have been declining.&quot; <a href="http://www.desertsun.com/st..." target="_blank">" rel="nofollow noopener" title="http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/2...">http://www.desertsun.com/st...
That&#039;s OK. If that <a href="http:\/\/www.rawstory.com\/rs\/2014\/07\/15\/billionaires-plan-to-split-california-into-six-states-appears-headed-to-the-ballot\/" target="_blank">asshole billionaire&#039;s ballot initiative</a> to divide California into 6 new states passes, the state of San Francisco will have all that delicious Hetch Hetchy water to ourselves.
Years ago, someone wrote into the local paper (this is in SW Ontario) scolding the locals for not watering their lawns in a severe summer drought. The letter was written by an ex-pat who had moved to California, and boasted of how they always watered their lawns, no matter what. I wrote a response which pointed out that we actually were living within the limits of our watershed, and when it ran low, we made do, rather than stealing from others&#039; watersheds. It made me feel good but I doubt it had any impact on that asshole.
Racism? That never entered my mind, seeing this more as a commentary on corporate greed (Nestle) and a foolish use of an essential resource. We don&#039;t need single use, disposable bottled water. The amount of plastic that we generate and throw away should concern everyone. This has nothing to do with Native Americans.
As with any complex issue, there are no simple solutions or answers. I live right next door to the Navajo Nation (the largest reservation in the world). I live and work with Navajo people and am well acquainted with the unique issues indigenous peoples face, particularly with regard to the resources that exist on the lands we have &quot;given&quot; them. In the case of the Navajo, they have been burned very badly by white people who &quot;helped&quot; them earn some money from their resources. Several potential super fund cleanup sites exist now on the Nation from abandoned uranium mines - contaminated areas that are toxic and dangerous and are making people sick. Rich deposits of coal exist on the Navajo Nation, as do a number of power plants. The Navajo do not own the land and can not sell the coal, but they ARE able to tax mining and production of electricity - only to have the power sent to Vegas or Phoenix and leave the poisoned air and water behind, while many Navajo homes near the power plants are themselves without modern conveniences such as electricity and plumbing. So in answer to FrankFuror - son, corporations do not always have the best interests of native peoples at heart. And never call me racist.
This is the sort of thing that concerns me:
&quot;At the World Water Forum in 2000, Nestl&eacute; successfully lobbied to stop water from being declared a universal right -- declaring open hunting season on our local water resources by the multinational corporations looking to control them. For Nestl&eacute;, this means billions of dollars in profits. For us, it means paying up to 2,000 percent more for drinking water because it comes from a plastic bottle.
Now, in countries around the world, Nestl&eacute; is promoting bottled water as a status symbol. As it pumps out fresh water at high volume, water tables lower and local wells become degraded. Safe water becomes a privilege only affordable for the wealthy.&quot; <a href="http://action.storyofstuff...." target="_blank">" rel="nofollow noopener" title="http://action.storyofstuff.org/sign/nestle_water_...">http://action.storyofstuff....
If that makes you mad, you&#039;re going to hate this:
&quot;CABAZON &ndash; Among the windmills and creosote bushes of San Gorgonio Pass, a nondescript beige building stands flanked by water tanks. A sign at the entrance displays the logo of Arrowhead 100% Mountain Spring Water, with water flowing from a snowy mountain. Semi-trucks rumble in and out through the gates, carrying load after load of bottled water.
The plant, located on the Morongo Band of Mission Indians&#039; reservation, has been drawing water from wells alongside a spring in Millard Canyon for more than a decade. But as California&#039;s drought deepens, some people in the area question how much water the plant is bottling and whether it&#039;s right to sell water for profit in a desert region where springs are rare and underground aquifers have been declining.&quot; <a href="http://www.desertsun.com/st..." target="_blank">" rel="nofollow noopener" title="http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/2...">http://www.desertsun.com/st...
That&#039;s OK. If that <a href="http:\/\/www.rawstory.com\/rs\/2014\/07\/15\/billionaires-plan-to-split-california-into-six-states-appears-headed-to-the-ballot\/" target="_blank">asshole billionaire&#039;s ballot initiative</a> to divide California into 6 new states passes, the state of San Francisco will have all that delicious Hetch Hetchy water to ourselves.
How long has the California drought been going on? 20-25 years?
During a drought in Texas, Fort Worth announced that water would be turned off - without notice - to properties where lawns were being watered.
Water, water everywhere...and not a drop to drink. But plenty to toss on the lawn during the hottest part of the day.
I hate grass. Long live creeping charley!
Sara, let your doggie piddle on the lawns during your morning strolls. Let one thousand brown spots bloom, wasteful sprinkler use notwithstanding.