The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a change in policy that would lead to water being contaminated with up to three times the level of toxic chemicals that are normally allowed, and sometimes even more. Your zip code will determine your level of water contamination: Live in a big city and you're relatively safe. But if you live in a small town or rural area, particularly lower-income communities, your water could be contaminated with dangerous levels of toxins that cause cancer and other diseases.
The EPA is supposed to make its decision on whether to move forward with this dangerous proposal by the end of the month. Let them know that you think. Clean drinking water should be a right for every American!
Flavia, You are so right, but this administration never cared about the environment, so there's no reason for them to start now. It is ironic that the EPA was started under Republican Richard Nixon. I guess Nixon wasn't pure evil.
Posted by: Steve at May 8, 2006 02:40 PMI could be way off base, but don't the feds set the minimum environmental bar, and can't the states ratchet it up at their discretion? Perhaps many states already have stringent enough standards to make this particular federal policy change moot. So even if it does pass, states that don't already have more stringent standards could be individually pressured for better water regulations as sort of a backup plan. Just a thought.
Posted by: james at May 8, 2006 08:31 PM
I live way out in California and I still think this is just wrong. Why should anyone be subjected to higher toxins in the water?
Posted by: Linda DePaola at May 9, 2006 01:40 PMThis was an interesting find. While many people drink bottled water, tap water is sill used for cooking, and bathing, and by many people who can not afford it, drinking. Moving us backward on clean water is very consistent with the current administration's horrendous environmental policies, a decent summation of which is here http://www.pressthenews.com/env1.htm
Posted by: jim beam at May 9, 2006 02:47 PMthe piece referenced above is linked here under posted by, since the links dont seem to be enabled.
Posted by: jim beam at May 9, 2006 02:53 PMGreat article in Salon about the EPA
EPA to citizens: Frack you
In the Rockies, a gas-extraction process called "fracking" may be releasing a carcinogenic stew of chemicals. Dozens of people say it has made them seriously ill, but the EPA refuses to investigate -- a failure one of its own engineers calls "irrational and corrupt."
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/05/05/fracking/print.html
It's a matter of love and respect- pure and simple.
My mother always taught me that you show love and respect to those you care about by your actions; for words are worth nothing if you do not do the things that make things better.
"Clear Skies" and "Healthy Forrest".
"Last Throes" and "Mission Accomplished".
Notice the similarities?
Notice the hollow words?
Notice the lack of love and respect?
So when our children are allowed to live in an increasingly toxic world..our leaders are wise to remember this because if they do not show our kids love and respect, we will have to show them how at the ballot box.
"...and they will know we are Christians by our Love".
..and by our actions at the polls, by our e-mails, and our phone calls.
Its a matter of love and respect for our children - pure and simple.
Posted by: Joe at May 10, 2006 12:02 AMIf the water is unsafe, just drink soda......and if you dont have bread, just eat cake.....hmmmmm, didnt someone lose their head over something like that? I know this is just a federal govt plot to force people to move to big cities, after all, arent they losing population?
Posted by: Steve at May 10, 2006 03:36 PM