Floods

[H2O Man]

(Monday) On the anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech, it seems a good time to try to take an objective analysis of the state of our nation. It's strange to consider the many contrasts to the era of King's powerfully hopeful oration – delivered during my childhood – and today's America. Yet, in a very real sense, this historic speech was the calm before the storm that the decade of the 1960s became.

Last Friday was a strange day. The massive storm was reaching the coast of Texas in a manner that deserved the nation's undivided attention. But the greatest force of domestic divisions – Donald Trump – abused the opportunity for a “news dump.” Thus, his hateful assault upon the transgender community, the firing of para-nazi Sebastian Gorka, and the pardoning of the criminally racist Joe Arpaio,were slipped into the news cycle.

In the 1960s, there was a cast of characters as toxic as today's: there was the Birmingham commissioner of public safety, Eugene “Bull” Connor, sheriff Jim Clark, and George Wallace. But none were endorsed as “patriots” by the president. Trump's pardoning of Arpaio, and his endorsement of a book by sheriff David Clarke, illustrates how diseased our culture has become.

It is a waste of time to debate if Trump was attempting to cover the pardon with the hurricane coverage, or if he wanted to exploit ratings. Each is equally disgusting. Instead, we should concentrate on what is important, especially what can help us avoid the damage that Trump et al seek to inflict upon our society. And that's where the storm comes in …..

There were significant floods in the region I inhabit in 2006 and 2011. People died. Homes were severely damaged. The village I grew up in was particularly damaged. Although it received large grants after the initial flood in '06, relatively few people have been helped. Instead, the local political “leaders” have used it almost exclusively to help local businesses – including those that were not damaged by the floods – which they own.

Obviously, business is an important part of a community. But the citizens are equally important. More, there are four known toxic industrial waste dump sites within the village, and the floods spred their plumes. In the past few months, I've been able to access documents from the village, state, and industry, that show the increased health risks in neighborhoods that the village government has failed to assist. More, they have not shared this information – despite documents mandating that they do so – to the residents in those neighborhoods. One village official actually penned in a joke about the cancers found on one block. There are Bull Connors at every level.

What's happening in America goes way, way beyond Donald Trump. In fact, Trump could only “win” the 2016 election because of the level of dysfunction within the communities across the nation. His election was the flood that brought those toxins to the surface, and spread them throughout the land.

The salvation of those communities is found in its citizens. It's accessed by people putting their minor differences behind them, and working for the common good. It's found in looking out for those around you. It is strengthened by groups bringing accurate information of the risks associated with the flood to their neighbors.

One of the groups that I'm working closely with in the case I've described is the town's Democratic Committee. It is essential, obviously, to get good people elected to local office. In doing so, the goal is to advance the quality of representation of citizens in the community. I do not have time to focus on who someone voted for in the 1968 Democratic primary. It would be beyond selfish to question if I could “forgive” someone who voted differently than me in 1988. Indeed, that type of thinking is only a measure of the toxins poisoning the minds of those who find pleasure in thinking that way.

I've been in communication with the NYS Attorney General's office, concerning some of what appears to be illegal activities of a few town and village officials/ business owners. One day soon, I may even write up an OP for this forum on this very topic.

Keep on fighting the Good Fight!
H2O Man

[voteearlyvoteoften]

1. And always question authority nt

[H2O Man]

3. Rubin used to say

that anyone who gives up on questioning authority has betrayed not only themselves, but their entire community.

[spanone]

2. K&R...

[H2O Man]

4. Thank you!

[coeur_de_lion]

5. What I have to say

is probably not of much value.

But listening to MLK's wonderful speech after weeks of bullshit from the orange pile of crap made me feel so good.

MLK'S dream is America's dream too. As soon as we wake up from this nightmare we can start living the dream again.

I'm sad to hear about your flooding/grants/corruption story and I wish I could do something to help.

I'm glad you are here and I'm always grateful for your essays. They help keep me sane.

[H2O Man]

6. What you gave to say

is actually and always of great value. And don't ever forget that.

And it is always good to listen to, or read, King's messages. Doing so remains one of the most useful things that I do.

I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out there is something that you and others here can do to assist with the current adventure in that small town in upstate New York. I find that I move a bit slower than when I first started on this general project back in 1980. My mind was sharper then. I remember reading through what seemed a never-ending series of "official" reports, and thinking, "Huh! Page 100,558 is missing! I wonder why? I'd better access it!" Which I did. And so I'm slower now days. But I do think that I've built a strong foundation, and there's growing community interest, and dissatisfaction with the local elected officials. Positive change is possible, but it takes a lot of work.

[coeur_de_lion]

7. I can send emails

what else?

[H2O Man]

8. When the time comes,

I will definitely let you know. It might just be e-mails at first. We will play it by ear.

[burrowowl]

9. "Positive change is possible, but it takes a lot of work."

A hell of a lot of work!
Keep us posted!