Piss & Vinegar

Something got me mad today. Mad enough to set other things aside that are screaming to be done so that I can write a post about it. The Canadian government is in the process of "reclassifying" Canadian lakes for the purpose of being toxic dump sites for the mining industry. There are about 16 lakes from coast to coast that are on the "chopping block" so to speak, and that is in addition to about 50 lakes that are already so classified. This is DISGUSTING to say the least. The mining industry is supposed to be responsible for containing their own toxic waste in containers that keep the waste completely separate from our natural water resources, and that is how it should be. In an ideal world, the mining companies should be held responsible for finding solutions to the problem - the best case scenario would obviously be to not create ANY toxic waste. However, I won't be alive to rail and kick against horrible things like this if I hold my breath waiting for THAT to happen. So, while I understand that the mining industry creates lots of jobs for Canadians, which is, of course, a good thing, I also understand that the business of mining is a profitable one. So I say again that the onus should be on the mining industry to properly and responsibly contain its waste while looking for other viable options that reduce (or better yet, ELIMINATE) toxic waste. Otherwise, they should not be allowed to do business here. If the Canadian government were to set that stipulation, I'd be willing to bet that SOMEONE would step up to the plate. There's money to be made, after all, even when operating responsibly.
I signed a petition this morning for this very thing, and was very interested to read the following note added to one of the signatures:

"I am president of the Tsolum River Restoration Society in Courtenay , B.C. Canada. Our group has spent the last 40 years trying to undo the damage [done by] a mine that was in operation for about two years in the mid 6o's. During this time it sent pollution into the Tsolum River until eventually it was declared a dead river. Over the last 15 years there have been some remediation activities that have taken place. Just a short while ago the B.C. government just announced that they have set aside $4.5 million to cover the mine and save this valuable salmon habitat. Lets not let this happen to other lakes and rivers. It is estimated that it cost the valley economy about 2 Million per year that is about $80,000,000 that could have been pumped into the local economy?? Is it worth it?? "

You can find the petition here if you're interested in joining your voice. Also, if you live in Canada, you can write to your local MP, and you can find them via this page, and/or you can go here to find contact information for (among others) the Canadian Minister for the Environment (Hon. John Baird). And, if you would like to read more, here's the story that recently aired on the CBC about this, and here's a subsequent article from msn.

As for me, I'm still kicking - my son is keeping me incredibly (and blissfully) busy, and while there are so many things I COULD write about, I'm just too tired on most days to sit on the computer and try to organize it all into posts, plus, I'd like to see mein Hublein somewhere in there, too. I owe Real Live Lesbian a post though...I will try to get that on here soon (see? I'm committing!) with pictures and everything!! :)